There is a fair amount of debate, in intellectual circles and scientific communities about where a person’s morality and conscience come from. People without a religious belief, atheists and agnostics,, would argue that morality and conscience are learned, and are only a result of upbringing and exposure.

God is pretty clear through Paul’s writing in Romans, though, that our conscience and morality were placed in each off us by God. Romans 2:14,15 says, “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”

How great it is to have a conscience to help us see the boundaries for our behavior. God put these reminders there for us, all we have to do is follow them

Dear Lord, We thank you for having written your law on our hearts. Please give us the strength to listen to our conscience, and choose to do the right thing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever had someone say something to you that just made your day? Someone you respect tells you “you look great,” or “what you are a doing is amazing and is making a great improvement.” On the other side of that coin, you may have heard people say things that seem to ruin your day.

We need to remember that we are often that someone that is making or ruining someone else’s day by what we say.

There are many references in the bible about the power and importance of words. James writes in James 3:3-5 “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.”

A few of the many references to the power of words in Proverbs are: Proverbs 15:4, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” and 13:3, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” 12:18, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”

What if you had an unlimited amount of money that you could only use to give to others, wouldn’t you use it to improve their lives? In ways, that is what we have with our words. We have an unlimited account of words we can use to give to others and brighten their days. Let’s use them in that fashion.

Dear Lord, we thank and praise you for the wisdom you provide us in your word. Help us control what we say and so that we can be a “tree of life” and “bring healing” with our words. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a quote from Shakespeare that says, “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

How, you may ask, is this relevant in a Christian devotion?

Matthew 14 includes the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter sees him and when Jesus says “come” Peter begins walking on the water toward Jesus. However, in verse 30, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!: When he takes his eyes off of Jesus he begins to sink. His commitment weakens as he sees the wind and waves, begins to sink and cry to be saved. Verse 31 says, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Our faith is the path through which God saves, supports, and motivates us on our Christian mission. Our doubts are traitors to that mission.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the support you give us in our mission. Help us push away the doubts that hold us back from living our faith fully; knowing that when we trust in you, we will have your peace and joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible makes it pretty clear that we are to forgive those who have wronged us. In fact in the Lord’s Prayer we pray that God would forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. In Matthew 6:15 Jesus tells us, ” But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” NLT

What really is forgiveness? It is us giving up what we think is our “right” to harm someone because they harmed us. We also call it vengeance or revenge. As Christians, when we forgive, we hand over this decision and role to God. We don’t know what God will do, but “getting even” is no longer our concern.

Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.”

As with much of how we should live as Christians, it is not easy, but with God’s help we can do anything.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your forgiveness of our sinful lives, help us follow your example and forgive those who have done us wrong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You’ve probably heard it said, You never get a second chance to make a first impression. 

Proverbs 3:3,4 is a bit of a follow-on to that expression saying, “Never tire of loyalty and kindness. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart, If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment” From TLB version.  

The NIV bible version text uses the virtues of “Love and Faithfulness,” and the RSV version uses “Loyalty and Faithfulness.”

Regardless of the bible version; Loyalty, Kindness, Love, and Faithfulness, are  virtues we need to work on to truly be the Christian brothers and sisters God  wants us to be.

Dear Lord, we thank you that you first showed us Love, Loyalty, Kindness and Faithfulness.  Help us keep these virtues in the front of our minds throughout our days and use them with those we encounter.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen