In the Old Testament, we read about the prophets that God spoke through to get his message to the people and their leaders. God sent the prophets to the Israelites when they were “off course” and had stopped following God’s guidance.

In many cases God would have the prophet tell the people they were not following God’s guidance, and that God was going to punish them if they didn’t return to Him. Most times, they went on following their own desires, ultimately leading to terrible consequences, like foreign invasion, or enslavement, for them.

In Isaiah 48, Isaiah the prophet is bringing God’s message to the Israelites who are going away from God’s direction. In Isaiah 48:17-18 he tells them, “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”

Isn’t it that way for us as well? If we look for God’s guidance and think about it before acting, we will often avoid many of the self-inflicted problems of life. When we listen for God’s guidance and follow it, we can have the “peace flowing like a gentle river,” that Isaiah describes, knowing that God is directing our steps.

Dear Lord, As humans, it is difficult for us to overcome the temptation to follow our own direction rather than yours. Remind us to ask for your guidance and listen, so that we may have the peace you promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I occasionally have tried to describe God to myself in a few words, and what I come down to most often is that God is Power and Love.

Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

When we are filled with God’s Spirit we also receive God’s power and love flowing through us. Fortunately, Paul also tells us the Spirit provides “self-discipline” or as some Bible versions translate it, “self-control,” which we men and women often need more of.

With these gifts from the Spirit, it is no wonder that Christians throughout history have done amazing things for their fellow men and women.

Dear Lord, give us your Spirit so that we may be filled with the power, love, and discipline to do your will on earth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“How you think determines how you feel.” I don’t know where I first heard this, but excluding injuries and illnesses, I believe it.

Controlling how you think takes work and practice, but if you control how you think about things, you can control how you feel. For example, what if on one of those days when the bills were stacked up and you had no idea how you would cover them all, the Fedex person delivered you a package notifying you that you just inherited a fortune from an unknown relative. Do you think you would feel better? Nothing physically changed in this instance, you just looked at things differently and changed your thoughts and your feelings.

Another way I have heard this concept described is, “Events don’t have a meaning until we give them a meaning.” What we allow ourselves to think when something occurs gives the event a meaning to us.

In a similar way, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 15:15, “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” NLT

Dear Lord, Thank you for the incredible opportunities you have given us to appreciate your creation and those around us. Help us put our trust and confidence in you so that we may have a “happy heart” and enjoy all that we have. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible is very clear that if we believe and trust in God, he will protect and guide us.

Among the passages about this is, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”

It is also clear that if we turn our backs on God and his direction, he will leave us to the consequences of our actions.

Psalm 81:11-12 says, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.”

And Romans 1:24 says, “So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired….” And verse 27, “…they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

Dear Lord, you outlined a plan for us, and if we follow it, you have promised to protect and guide us. Help us acknowledge You and Your direction, and live in the peace and joy that you provide. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thirty two years ago today my beautiful wife and I were married. It was a wonderful day, and a great party with friends and family. Every day since, we have faced the many joys and adventures of life, and sorrows and struggles together. Our love for each other holds us together, and as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because Christ first loved us.”

I believe that God brought us together, and that our faith has strengthen our love for each other. I also believe our love for each other strengthens our faith. We have been incredibly blessed with wonderful children, loving extended families, many friends and a wonderful Church family. I pray that everyone could have the same.

Solomon wrote in in Proverbs 4:18, “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” I am incredibly blessed to have a beautiful, confident, caring, faithful Christian wife!

Happy Anniversary Liz!

Dear Lord, Help us remember that we can love because you first loved us, and this love is what truly holds us together. How thankful and grateful Liz and I are that you have given us each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.