Many times in life there is something we know we should do, something we feel that God is calling us to do, but we are reluctant to start. We don’t start because we don’t know if we will have the time, the money, the ability, the support, or some other limitation, to make it work.

What we don’t realize, is that God may be waiting for us to move forward, demonstrating our faith in him, and then he will give us that time, money, knowledge, etc, we wanted before we started.

In Joshua 3 the Israelites are just about to cross the Jordan River and enter the “Promised Land” after wandering in the desert for 40 years. The Jordan River at that time was at its high, overflowing it’s banks.

Joshua 3:7,8, “The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.'” verse 13 then says, “As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”

God told them to start, and once they did, he took over. He will do this for us if we act faithfully.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the knowledge that you are always there to support us when we step out in faithful response to your call. Help us have the courage to do so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many people spend a tremendous amount of time and money to maintain their health, but miss one of the keys God’s provides for health.

Proverbs 14:30 says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”

Having a peaceful, low stress demeanor is physically good for us.

Though it is easy to say, being at peace is not always easy to turn on. I recently heard a practice that helps. Each morning take a few minutes to relax with several long deep breaths, then think intently about three things for which you are grateful. Try to physically feel the gratitude for these things. It is very difficult to be envious, bitter or angry when you are focusing intently on being grateful.

Dear Lord, you have provided the instruction manual for our lives, that you created, in the Bible. Help us find your wisdom there. Be with us and help us work on a peaceful heart, to help us have a healthy body, to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sometimes the whole process of witnessing and explaining Salvation gets complicated by long sermons, books, and discussions, but Peter makes it clear in Acts 2 speaking to a crowd who gathered after the disciples received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The crowd asks, what are we to do? In Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

We often use the expression “blocking and tackling” to describe the basics of an activity. What Peter is describing is the “blocking and tackling” of Christianity, that we all need to practice; repent of our sins, turn to God, and trust in Jesus Christ for our forgiveness.

Dear Lord, your plan is an amazing mystery in many ways that we cannot understand, but at the same time it is simple when we focus on the basics. Help us follow the basics, and send us your Spirit so that we may become closer to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We have all seen examples of the tragic early deaths of celebrities and other successful people who seemed to have everything. Solomon writes about this in Ecclesiastes 6:2, “God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things.”

It is not that being successful or wealthy is wrong, but as we have seen on many occasions, those things do not provide happiness.

He says in Ecclesiastes 5:19, “And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.”

God has each of us where we are for a reason. Sure it would be great to have lots of money and success, but we need to trust that God has a plan for us, and enjoy what we have, while waiting, with faith, for what we would like.

Dear Lord, it is in our nature to want more, but help us enjoy our lives and trust that you love us, and have us where we are for your reasons. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is so easy for us to get into a mindset feeling we have the “weight of the world” on our shoulders. We may have financial problems, or health problems, challenges with our relationships, or relatives that are “off course.”

When I start to feel this way, I like to think about the promises God makes to us in Psalm 37:4,5, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

It seems overly simple to say “don’t worry,” but when we put our trust and hope in God to help us, he will find a way, even when we cannot see one.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us remember you are just a prayer away. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.