Do you get a little nervous going through security at the airport, when you receive a letter from the IRS, or when you see a highway patrol vehicle parked and monitoring traffic speeds on the road? I think it is a rather natural reaction to the significant power these people and organizations have to affect our lives.

God has the most power to affect our lives and he is always watching us. When we think about the significance of that, we can start to feel very guilty and at risk of God’s anger. However, Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Like strolling through security with no concern, or waiving at the patrol car knowing we are not speeding, we can have peace that God has no reason to punish us, because we have faith in Jesus Christ, who already took the punishment for us.

Dear Lord, What peace and joy we have through our faith in Jesus. Help us live our lives in with this peace on display, so that others can see the beauty of life that you bring to those who have faith and trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off of your goal.” Henry Ford

When we have ourselves focused clearly on our goals with determination to achieve them, we tend to ignore or not even see obstacles and challenges that arise along the way.

Paul describes how this was demonstrated clearly by Jesus, as a lesson for us.

Hebrews 12:1,2 he writes, “…And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.”

Jesus is what we need to focus on as we run this race toward our eternal salvation. Just as he focused on the goal of concurring death and returning to Glory with God in heaven, he endured being shamed and crucified in order to accomplish his race, we can endure the challenges and obstacles to maintaining our faith and doing God’s will, by keeping our focus on our goal; The goal of eternal life in heaven.

Dear Lord, as you said, You established the principles for our success thousands of years ago, showing us the importance of focusing on our goal to overcome our obstacles. Help us do this and run our race toward salvation, with faith and obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 128:1,2 tell us, “How joyful are those who fear the Lord all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”

I, like many of us, find myself, occasionally focusing on all those things I want, hope for, and pray for but feel frustrated not having. Sometimes we think, we are living the lives God desires, but feel like we are not receiving the blessing the Bible promises. When this type of feelings come upon us, these lyrics from an old hymn, help me put things in perspective.

“When upon life’s billows
You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
What the Lord hath done.
(John Oatman Jr.)

When we stop and think about the incredible blessings we all have, it takes away any reason we have to complain or be disappointed.

Dear Lord, we only need to take a look around to see the amazing blessings you have provided us. Our human nature leads us to take for granted what we have, and dwell on what we don’t have. Help us keep our perspective in order, count our blessings and be thankful to you for all you have done for us, most importantly our eternal salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God uses many people with troubled pasts to tell his story in the Bible, murderers, prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, and others. This helps us all understand that God doesn’t require us to be “good,” to be saved; He can make us “right” with him no matter where we start. The moment we ask for forgiveness, God grants it. The important thing is that we ask.

Nathan, the prophet, comes to David, the King of Israel, in 2 Samuel 12, and tells David a story illustrating the terrible thing David did by having Bathsheba’s husband killed and taking Bathsheba as his wife. When David realized what a terrible thing he had done, he repents. His words are written in Psalm 51, and may sound familiar to those who attend traditional church services. Verses 10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your free Spirit.”

The Living Bible writes verse 10, “Create in me a new, clean heart, O god, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.” and verse 12, “Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”

We all fail in our resistance to temptation. God knows and is there waiting to forgive us. Let us give up our pride, and confess our faults, ask for God’s forgiveness, so that we can experience the joy that comes with a “clean heart.”

Dear Lord, we are sorry for our failure to follow your will. Forgive us and give us the desire to obey you. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think we all know people or maybe we have been one of the people, who have made bad judgments and started down a path that could have ruined our lives, but turned around and got back on course. We may also know people who started down the wrong path and followed it to their demise, or are on their way.

What is the difference?

I believe the difference comes down to one decision followed by one more decision and one more, and so on… At any point, we can choose to turn away from our sinful way and begin back on the right course, or choose the next step toward destruction.

The Bible is filled with stories of people who saw that they were going the wrong way and turned back on course. Usually someone had to bring it to their attention. In 2 Samuel 12 After David had Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could marry her, Nathan brought this sin to David’s attention. Verse 13 says, “Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you,..”

As King, David could have, just as easily, eliminated Nathan, and continued down the wrong path, but he chose to turn back, and God forgave him and made him a Great King.

We all must know and believe that we can be reconciled with God, no matter how far down the wrong path we have gone. It only takes one right decision.

John tells us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Dear Lord, It is an amazing blessing for us to know that you will forgive us if we confess and turn back to you. Though for some it may seem impossible, it is not. You are just a prayer away from helping us make that first decision. Give us all the strength to turn to you and stay on your path. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.