Many people find it easier to set priorities and make decision if they have a set of principles to follow. Many companies and organizations have “Guiding Principles” written down and distributed to their employees and members to help with managing their operations.

Jesus gave us a simple set of principles when asked what was the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” NIV

So when we are looking for direction on how we should live, or what we should do in various circumstances, we can look to these “Guiding Principles” to help with our priorities and decisions.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us this clear direction. Help us to live our lives in in this way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sometimes we all have one of those days, where things just seem to go against us. Usually they are things that may be important to our work, or accomplishing our goals, but in the big picture, these obstacles do not threaten our lives, our safety, or our loved ones, they are just frustrating.

Colossians 3:15, says, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

It is our wrong thinking that gets us into trouble. If we stop and look at all the things for which we have to be thankful, we can reset our thinking, and stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

Dear Lord, no matter what we are dealing with, we all have something for which to be thankful. Help us turn our thoughts to those things, and give thanks to you for these blessings. Your peace comes through this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One definition of the word intuition is, “the ability to acquire knowledge without inference or the use of reason.”

Proverbs 3:5,6 writes, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

I think from a human perspective, these things feel similar. When we consciously pursue God’s will, his direction comes to us like intuition. 1 Kings 19:12 says God spoke to Elijah in a “still small voice.”

If we are looking and listening, God makes his guidance evident, but often subtly.

Dear Lord, We trust that you are there to guide us. Help us have the senses to recognize your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the questions that effects many Christians is “What is God calling me to do?”

Although the answer may come easy to some, it isn’t clear to all of us. I think sometimes we are looking for some type of significant supernatural revelation telling us what God wants us to do, but for most people the answer comes as a simple thought that may re-occur. “I should teach Sunday school,” or “I need to bring my family to church,” or “I should pray for that person.” These may not just be random thoughts, but are the quiet voice of God encouraging you to your calling.

Even if the call is not something dramatic like, “drop everything and go to Africa,” it still can be frightening to follow through. Keep this in mind. “The will of God will never lead you where the love of God will not support you.” God will take care of you if you step out in faith.

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the prompts to act on your calling. Help us listen, hear, and act in faith knowing that you will be there supporting us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.’

What does it mean to be mature? or What does it mean when we tell someone to “grow up?” It doesn’t have anything to do with their age, but is more about their behavior and judgment. One definition of maturity is the ability to accept delayed gratification; to work on something for an extended period of time before seeing the results.

In a similar way as we become more mature in our Christian faith, we can begin to accept the struggles and challenges of being a Christian with the joy of knowing we will be rewarded in time. We accept those challenges out of love for God, and our fellow men and women. Paul writes in Romans 8:18, ” Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.”

Dear Lord, Help us become more mature Christians to take our suffering and struggles in faith, knowing that our future reward will be the peace of trusting you, and ultimately our eternal reward in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.