Do you ever have doubts or questions about your Christian faith? I think everyone does occasionally. The reasons may vary, but I think it often is a result of trying to figure it all out. Trying to understand things like, why something bad happened to us or a loved one, or how Salvation works, or other questions that cannot be answered with certainty.

Peter tells us that this questioning is not unique to us. The prophets even had questions.

First he says, we need to stay faithful through the questions and difficult times.

1 Peter 1:7-9 he says, “So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

And then, he says, like the prophets, we may not understand the whole picture.

1 Peter 1:10-12 “This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you.”

It wouldn’t be faith if we had all the answers.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the insights you give us in your word, the Bible. Help us stay strong and trust you, even when we don’t understand the whole picture. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Do you ever wonder what it must be like for the children of incredibly wealthy people? Not the ones with lots of social problems that we read about in the tabloids, but those in stable homes but with tremendous resources. Do you think it changes their view on their lives, knowing they have a significant inheritance that will be theirs one day?

Peter writes about our inheritance in 1 Peter 1:3-5, saying, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”

Dear Lord, what peace and joy it can be for us knowing that you are protecting us with your unimaginable power while we live our lives, knowing we have an inheritance waiting for us with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Is it wrong to wear blue jeans to church? How about spending a million dollars on a car? Is eating certain things wrong? How about drinking alcohol?

These are kind of trick questions, but considering them is a good exercise for us. Paul writes in Romans 14:1, “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” He goes on in verse 10, “So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and verse 13, “so let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Finally in verse 15:2 he says “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” NLT

Each of us needs to follow the conscience God gave us when answering these types of questions, for ourselves. When interacting with others, however, we need to remember that everyone is on his or her own faith journey. Paul says in Romans 14:17,18 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God.” NLT

Dear Lord, It is hard for some of us to suppress the critical nature to judge others. You have given each of us a conscience to judge ourselves, and You have also given others a conscience to judge themselves. Help us focus our actions more on how we can help others feel Your love, and as they grow closer to you, they will listen to your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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2 Corinthians 3:2 Paul describes the people of the church as “living letters”. He says to them “you yourselves are our letters, written on our hearts’ known and read by everyone.” He goes on to say “you are a letter from Christ”

We need to think about that in our daily activities. We are Christ’s letter to people we encounter. Are we sending the right message?

Dear Lord, help us remember that we are your letter to the world, known and read by everyone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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You have probably heard someone use this expression when they seemingly have tried everything to get something accomplished, “What’s it going to take to…….”

In the Old Testament, God sent prophets to the people to try to get them to change their ways. One of these prophets was Amos.

In Amos 4:6 he tells the people God’s message saying, “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me. says the Lord.”

God is saying in essence, “what’s it going to take to get you people to return and follow me?”

We cannot know if the causes of problems in our lives are put there by God to get us to return to him, but they may be. Either way, however, we should turn to him for help, comfort, and resolution of the struggles in our lives.

Dear Lord, When we have negative experiences, may they remind us to return to you. You are our strength, protection and salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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