We never really know why God lets bad things happen to people. In one story when Jesus healed the blind man and the Pharsies asked who sinned that caused the man to be blind, Jesus said, this happened, “so the power of God could be demonstrated.”

Jesus also says, however, that our sins can bring bad things on us. In John 5 after Jesus heals the man by the pool, He tells the man, “…Now you are well; don’t sin as you did before, or something even worse may happen to you.” TLB

Our motivation to avoid sin shouldn’t just be to avoid something bad happening to us. We should obey God’s direction because we love him.

Dear Lord, we may not know your reasons for what happens in our lives, but we know you love us. Help us to follow your direction out of our love for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you seen young children test their parents by doing something they have just been told not to? For example, the child throws his or her food on the floor, the parent in a teaching voice says “no don’t do that,” and puts the food back in front of the child. The child proceeds to throw the food on the floor again, So the parent disciplines the child by taking the food away, completely; A simple example of a parent disciplining the child to teach right and wrong.

In a similar way, Proverbs 3:11-12 tells us, “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”

It is different in ways, because we cannot see God standing their telling us not to do something, like a parent. However, maybe some of those things that seem to be coincidences are actually God disciplining us; Misplacing our car keys shortly after thinking how irresponsible our spouse was for misplacing something, or muttering something impolite at another driver, then finding a parking ticket on our car when we come out of the store.

When these inconvenient coincidences occur, we should stop and ask ourselves whether God is trying to discipline and teach us something to make us better.

Dear Lord, help us be aware of your discipline in our lives and work on taking your guidance so we can become better Christians. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many personal development books and coaches emphasize the importance of visualizing what you want to occur in your life. Some also say that if you dwell on your fears they are more likely to occur, and conversely if you focus on the positive, those things are likely to occur.

It is interesting that this idea has its origin in the bible. Proverbs 10:24 says, “The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.” This ties in also with Jesus’ words in several places including Matthew 8:13, saying “..because you believed, it has happened.”NLT

Dear Lord, help us keep our thoughts on the positive; our hopes, dreams and prayers, and help us avoid negative, self defeating thoughts that lead us to question your power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How blessed those of us are whose parents brought us up to know Jesus Christ. Think of how it might have been if our parents did not lead us to our Savior. Who would have? How would we hear the story? Would we accept it? For those who came to Christ outside of their family, do you remember who invited you, and why you opened yourself up to Jesus?”

Paul describes these questions in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Most of us may be reluctant to witness, but to overcome that reluctance, think about how wonderful it would be to be the person who helped someone else become saved.

Dear Lord, thank you for those that helped us come to know and believe in you. Help us to have the courage to help someone else come to be saved. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Money is often a difficult subject for Christians, some fear they will not have enough so they skimp on their offerings. Some fear they will not have enough, so they pinch pennies and cannot bring themselves to spend what they have. Both of these concerns are examples of people putting their faith in their money rather than in God.

Paul writes in Hebrews 13:5, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

It is so illogical to believe that God would leave us short if we used our resources to do his will. When we put our trust in God, we don’t have to worry whether we will have enough. We know, as Paul wrote, He will never abandon us.

Proverbs 11:25 Says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed..”

Dear Lord, Help us remember that our hope and security come from you, not our money. Help us use our money with a spirit of responsibility and generosity, believing your promise never to abandon us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.