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.

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I think we all occasionally have the need to choose between two seemingly equal alternatives, taking a new job, which college, house, which applicant to hire, or which contractor even.

Acts 1:24-26 tells the story of the process the disciples used to select a replacement for Judas, who killed himself after betraying Jesus, which we can use as a model for making our decisions.

Acts 1:23-26 writes, “So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas also known as Justus and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.”

Though the disciples decision was much more important than many decisions we may need to make in life, I believe the process is the same. With those who should be part of the process, your family, spouse, or church board, we identify the alternatives, pray and listen for guidance, then choose. Then we should move forward in faith, trusting that God will help us stay on the right path.

Dear Lord, as the disciples prayed, “you know every heart,” including our own. Help us remember to come to you for guidance with our decisions in life, trusting your guidance. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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It is so uplifting to see people put their faith in God and overcome their afflictions, fears, challenges or use their faith to excel and do great things.

I can only imagine that this was how Jesus felt in the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8. Roman soldiers were not what people expected when thinking of followers of Jesus Christ, but Jesus showed how, no matter who one is, it is the faith that matters.

The soldier’s servant was paralyzed and suffering. When Jesus asked if the Centurion wanted Him to come and heal the servant. The Centurion said he knew all Jesus had to do was say so and his servant would be healed. Jesus, knowing the heart of the soldier, said in verse 10, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” and in verse 13, “Go, Let it be done just as you believed it would.” NIV

We don’t have to be great “church-people” to believe God can bring us out of miserable situations, overcame debilitating fears, and even give us success in our endeavors. We need to have the faith in God’s power and ability to do anything.

Dear Lord, help us have the faith in you to know without a doubt that you can do anything. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Philippians 4:6,7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

I find a great deal of comfort and wisdom in this passage, about how and why to pray, but I also find it interesting that it says that God’s peace will “guard” your hearts and minds. Using this word implies that our Hearts and Minds need to be protected from something. I think what God’s peace is protecting our hearts and minds from, is temptation; The many varieties of temptation that draw us away.

Some other Bible versions use the expression “keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So by praying, asking for what we need and thanking God for what he has done, we will experience God’s Peace that protects us from temptation, and keeps us connected to Jesus Christ. This lets us do what the verse starts with…Not worry.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this promise of your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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We all have seen people trying to find their joy in having more things, bigger parties, or more money, but I think most people would agree that what truly gives them joy, is doing something good, or doing something well. Something good, like making a positive difference in another’s life, or doing something well, like playing a great round of golf, mastering a piece of music, getting an A+, or the like.

An Indian Poet captured this idea in the following quote, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy, I woke and found that life was service, I acted, and behold, service is joy.” Rabidranath Tagore, (1861-1941)

A couple thousand years earlier, Solomon wrote, after using his unmatched resources to evaluate all possibilities, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Here is my final conclusion; Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”

Doing our duty to God is what brings joy. Psalm 32:11 says, “So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”

Simple thinking would tell us that getting is what makes us happy, but if we actually try both getting and giving, we find that giving, or as Jesus instructs us, “Loving our neighbor,” is what really provides us joy.

Dear Lord, you give us so much, help us appreciate those things you provide us, but as important, give us the wisdom to see that serving is where joy truly begins. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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