One challenge we all face when trying to accomplish anything good is the will-power or discipline to stick with it. Whether it be, sticking to a diet, exercise, cutting bad language out of our vocabulary, quiting smoking, drugs, or alcohol, changing our habits and building better habits is difficult, but not impossible.

2 Peter 1:3,4 says, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

We can turn away from bad behaviors and live a godly life, if we so choose. When we say we “can’t” do something, what we are really saying is either, we won’t try, or we don’t really want to. In all comes down to a decision. We-make the decision and ask God to help us follow through.

I heard it said, “Our job is to do the natural, then God will do the super-natural.” This is how we overcome our wrong desires, and build a better self.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us everything we need to live the life you desire for us. Help us decide to strive for that “godly” life, and take our step forward then let you carry us further. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is not uncommon for some Christians to be entirely focused on the writings in the New Testament. This makes some sense, because that is where a the stories of Jesus and the early Christian church are written. However, there is knowledge and wisdom for us in the Old Testament as well.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

The prophets include those more familiar, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, but also the less familiar, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obediah, Jonah, Micah, and others. Most of the prophets were giving the people of that time messages from God, trying to get them back on course after having strayed from God’s will. There are messages in there for us today also. One of the additional benefits for us is the historical evidence for the bible. Many of the prophecies have been the fulfilled, and modern archeology has confirmed these bible prophecies including the first destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian captivity of the Jews, the return of the Jews, and rebuilding of the temple.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:19-21, “… we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”

Dear Lord, We thank you for the confirming evidence of the bible available as a result of the prophecies. Help us read them with introspection into our own lives and how we may be off the track you desire for us, and bring us back in line. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I heard it said once that “you may be the only Jesus some people may ever know.” Meaning that some people may never go to church, read the Bible, or be exposed to Christianity in any way other than running into you at the mall, gas station, hospital, etc.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “You are Christ’s body and each of you is an individual part of it.”

Since Jesus ascended into heaven, Christians have become the physical presence of Jesus’ will on earth. In a way, we are his hands, feet, and voice until he returns. So in addition to the Great Commission, “go and make disciples,” we are also the way Jesus can physically show his love to people in need, through our actions.

Dear Lord, you can give us the tools we need to be your physical presence on earth. Help us look for your will and act in faith, so if we are the only Jesus some people ever see, they will see and feel your love through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There are many biblical principles that are counter-intuitive, meaning that they are the opposite of what the typical person might think.

An example of this is written in Psalm 119:1, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.”

I think your typical secular person would be more likely to think that doing what-ever you want, whenever you want, and making up your own rules, would be the way to a joyful life. But we see all around us how the bible version is actually correct.

Those folks you see around your church, involved in lots of activities, studying God’s word, and doing their best to live lives of integrity following Jesus’ example, are the happy, content people. In contrast, it is sad how often we see people with money and fame who have the ability and means to choose anything, try to live lives making their own rules and who end up with all kinds of problems and tragedies.

We need to remember that the morality and instruction that God gave us in the bible, and which he has put into our concienses is there to help us have good and joyful lives, like the instructions for operating ourselves.

Dear Lord thank you for giving us concienses and your word to guide us. Help us follow your instructions, and realize this is the way to a joyful life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Exodus 20 tells the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. There is an interesting passage in Exodus 20:4-6 the Second Commandment, “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”

What I think is interesting is that God telling Moses, and the Israelites, and ultimately us, that our parent’s and grandparent’s actions can affect us, and our actions will affect our children, grand children, and beyond. This can either be a positive effect, or a negative effect.

This cycle, however, can be broken by being one who loves God and follows his direction. For those of us whose parents have set us on a solid Christian foundation, we have much for which to be thankful, others have the opportunity to be the one who establishes a foundation for those that follow.

Dear Lord Thank you for affirming our knowledge that your love is on those who love you and follow your direction. Help us remember that our actions can bring your love on those we love as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.