GPS Navigation systems have become commonplace in modern times, whether handheld devices, in car dashboards, or on our phones, they are ubiquitous.

One thing that amazing about these devices, is that when we are following directions to a destination but take a wrong turn, the system only takes a few seconds to recalculate the best alternate route, taking into consideration that we did not follow the previous guidance. If we have the voice commands turned on, the system becomes very persistent in getting us back on the right path. Many of us have heard the words from the computer generated voice, “make a legal u-turn.”

God’s direction for our lives is like this GPS guidance. Psalm 32:8 says, “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you,” Proverbs 3:6 writes, “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take,” and Proverbs 15:10 writes, “Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined”

God is always there reminding us through our conscience and other means when we are going off of his “route guidance.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for keeping watch over us and directing us on the path we should take. Help us have the humility and judgment to submit to your guidance so that we can have the peace and joy you desire for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a personal development expression I heard that goes, “There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone.”

In a way, this is what Paul meant in Hebrews 12:10-11 where he wrote, “but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

My definition of discipline is, “knowing the right thing to do, and doing it.” God’s discipline may be helping us see the right thing so we will do it, or it may be giving us discomfort doing the wrong things until we do the right thing. Either way, the right thing is often the more difficult and uncomfortable thing to do.

When we are experiencing difficulty and challenges, we should try to think, “Is God disciplining me for some reason?” “What am I supposed to be learning from this negative experience?”

We know, however, as Paul says in Hebrews 12:6, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, He disciplines each one he accepts as his child.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for caring about us enough to discipline us. Help us see our challenges and discomforts in the right context so that we may grow and become better servants for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible is full of stories of people praying, praying for healing, for rescue, for revenge, for justice, for each other, for strength, for faith, for protection, for forgiveness, and many other things. Based upon the bible stories, we can pray for just about anything. I believe God wants us to pray to him with everything and anything that is on our mind and on our hearts, as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” remembering always to ask for things subject to God’s will.

I found one prayer particularly helpful for putting prayer in the right perspective. Daniel was praying for the people of Israel who were in captivity in Babylon. In Daniel 9:18-19 he prays, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!”

We don’t “deserve” anything from God. When we pray for the accomplishment of our dreams and desires, or the overcoming of our obstacles, we should pray like Daniel, not asking because we have earned or deserve what we want, but because of God’s mercy and love for us.

That doesn’t mean we should be reluctant to ask. God puts dreams and desires in our hearts, and puts obstacles in our way, for our good and for his glory. He wants us to ask. Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, “ask and it will be given to you.” and Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Dear Lord, You have power over all things, the power to provide us anything we might want. Help us find your will for our lives, and come to you continuously asking for your help to do the great things you have put in our hearts; Not because we deserve it, but because of your mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Studies have shown that people adapt and become accustomed to their situations pretty quickly. This helps people survive when they have to adapt to difficult situational changes, like POW camps, or living through wars. It can be a problem, however, for people who live in good times and good conditions like most of us do in the developed world today. We can become too accustomed to how great life is, and not appreciate the tremendous blessings we have.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Stop and think about your day sometime and walk through all the amazing things that are just routine in our lives, from the time we wake up in the morning and through the day. Heat, a bed, electricity, hot shower, sharp razors, clean water, clean laundry, a closet full of clothes, cupboards and refrigerators full of food, cars, trains, buses with heat, paved streets, police departments, computer and internet technology, radio, tv, telephones, stores with anything we need, modern medicine, schools and universities, a couple of my favorites, ATM’s and Pay at the Pump, on top of all those things, the amazing beauty, complexity and balance of nature, the stars in the sky, sunrises, sunsets, birds, flowers, and the list goes on and on.

How could we not be amazed and joyful at all God has given us each day?

We praise and thank you Lord for your wonderful and amazing creation. Help us remember to appreciate all you have provided for us, every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we are not entertaining ourselves, most of our time in life is spent trying to improve ourselves and our situation. More education, better job, business, house, more money, getting fit, healthy, investing, etc. These are all good things in the right context, but why are we really here.

I believe the bible tells us that we are here not just to live our lives for ourselves and then die. We are here for a larger reason, to glorify God.

God says through Isaiah in verse 43:7, “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”

God made us, in his image, breathed life into us, and loves us. He wants us to use the free will he gave us to acknowledge and honor him, to do great things and give Him thanks and credit, and to show his love to others so that they may come to believe in and glorify Him also.

In addition to us giving God the glory, we are sent by Jesus to bring help, hope, care and the message of salvation to others.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,”

Ultimately, I believe that God puts the dreams and desires to be asuccessful entrepreneur,movie-star, musician, writer, or other achievement in our hearts, and He will help us achieve these things. What he asks is that we use them to shine the light of our success on Him. By doing so, we will be giving others the opportunity to come to Him as well.

Dear Lord, what a magnificent plan you have made here for us. Thank you for putting dreams and desires in our hearts and helping us fulfill them. Help us also to remember that our success is intended for your glory, and to share with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.