I think one of the most significant reasons for the lack of success or resolution of long-standing issues in personal relationships, organizations, communities, or frankly countries, is that people cannot let go of their complaints about things that happened a long time in the past. Although one party may have wronged the other, the conflict cannot be overcome until the one who was wronged can let it go, and get over it.

People may say, “I am not going to be happy until the wrong doer…. apologizes, goes to jail, pays a fine, etc” However, often the person who was wronged, doesn’t even know what he or she wants, they are just mad, and they seem to want to stay that way.

The problem with this thinking is that it gives up control of our thoughts and feelings. What if that punishment or consequence never occurs? Should they be sour forever? Who is actually being punished for the wrong in that case. Staying upset just keeps us miserable.

Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

When we “Get over it,” by forgiving those who wronged us, it is like opening the floodgates to the progress that only can occur when God’s love works through us.

Dear Lord, It is so easy to carry a grudge around, angry at someone for some old fault they may have committed, but this only hurts ourselves. So help us forgive these faults, let them go, get over them, so that we may feel your love, move forward and prosper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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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.

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Do you ever feel like there is something in your life that you know you should not do, but you don’t know if you will have the discipline to keep yourself from giving in to the temptation? It could be something like sticking to a diet, or quitting smoking, or something more serious like avoiding stealing, or being faithful to a spouse. There are times where we may not trust our own discipline, but we know we can trust God.

The New Testament book of Jude says in verse 24, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy”

There are some things we cannot do on our own, we need God’s strength to keep us from “stumbling” and bring us through the temptation. Like holding the hand rail when walking down snow or ice covered stairs; We hold on to something strong and stable to keep us from falling.

Paul describes this situation in 2 Corinthians 12, speaking about a temptation that he faces, but doesn’t identify particularly. He calls it his “thorn in the flesh.” He says in verses 8-9 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

When we don’t think we have the strength to overcome, God’s strength is at it’s best.

Dear Lord, what peace it brings to those who know that your strength is always there for us to draw from and rely on. When we feel like giving up our resistance, and giving in to temptation to do the wrong thing, help us remember to turn to you and trust in your strength to overcome. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I think there are two types of belief for Christians. First, and most important, is the belief that Jesus Christ is God, and that his death and resurrection are the ransom for our salvation.

For many of us, the second belief is the hard one. That is the belief that God knows and cares for each of us, and He can and will intervene in our and other’s lives.

Jesus tells the Father of a demon possessed boy in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” I believe the father’s reply is what we often feel, when we want and hope for something badly. He says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Believing changes how we act. When we believe, we act with confidence, with an expectation that God will intervene and make things work out.

Dear Lord, Help us with our unbelief. Help us realize that you want us to believe with confidence, and expect your answers to our prayers. For your answers, favor, grace and salvation, we thank you Lord. Amen.

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Do you ever wonder why God causes some people to go from completely “anti-Christian” to incredibly devout productive Christian authors, pastors and evangelists?

The most obvious from bible times was Paul who God turned from persecuting Christians to being instrumental in the rapid growth of the early church.

Some others are CS Lewis, the author of Christian books including the Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and many others. He writes of being an atheist until his 30’s then God used him to write some of the best non-fiction Christian books and Novels.

Another interesting person that made a dramatic conversion is an author named Lee Strobel, a Yale educated lawyer and journalist, who was an avowed atheist until his wife became a Christian. He began researching Christianity in order to disprove it to his wife, and found himself accepting Christianity. He has subsequently written many Christian books including, The Case For Christ, and The Case for a Creator, evangelical programs and speaks on Christianity and Evangelism around the world. His story was recently turned the movie The Case For Christ.

It is truly amazing what God can do with people. In Philippians 2:12,13 Paul writes, “..Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” It is God working through these people and us that makes the difference.

Dear Lord your power is amazing. Help us never forget how, if it is your will, you make dramatic changes that we would never expect in people. Help us obey you and give us the desire and power to do your will, as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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