It is sometimes hard to believe how people can have such bad judgment and do some of the things they do today. This is not anything new. In fact Jesus tells us this will happen in Matthew 7:13-14, saying, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

It takes a discipline, courage, and commitment to follow the path God wants for us. We cannot just go along with what is popular or trendy. We need to as written in Proverbs 4:26-27, “Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

Dear Lord, The devil is expert at tempting us, and the desires of the world are so appealing. We know with your help we can overcome these distractions that can lead us away. Help us set our own straight path, following your teachings so that we enter the narrow gate by your grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

We know that we are saved by the grace of God, nothing we do or have done saves us. It is purely a gift.

In addition however, God is always watching us and everything we do is recorded. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.”

And Malachi the prophet wrote that God keeps a “Scroll of Remembrance,” tracking when we honor him. He will treat those that honor him differently. Malachi 4:16-18 says, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Dear Lord, you provide us all we have, most importantly our salvation. We should honor and put you first in our hearts and minds always, but we do not. Give us strength to avoid the temptation to neglect our focus on you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

You may have heard this expression, and may have even experienced the phenomenon. When trying to make a decision, we wait and wait looking for one more piece of information or insight that will motivate us to decide, and begin.

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 11:4, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” The Living Bible version translates this verse as “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”

God is telling us through Solomon’s writing, that we need to act in faith. Particularly when it comes to those things we feel God calling us to do.

There is an expression that goes, “The will of God will never lead you where the love of God will not support you.” We need to remember that God will be there to support us if we move forward in faith.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your guidance, direction, and support. Help us remember to listen for your call, then act, and not wait for perfect conditions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Many of us have read Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Does that mean that if I really want a Ferrari, if I delight in the Lord, I will get one? I think Paul gives us some insight into that question in Philippians 2:12-13 where he 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.”

I think that when we “delight in the Lord,” or Paul’s words, “obey God with deep reverence and fear,” God makes us want the things that please him. Only you can know what these things may be, for you. They could be seeing the world, meeting someone in particular, starting a business, writing a book, or being a missionary, or volunteering at the soup kitchen. God has a plan for each of us.

When we remember to, as Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God,” and keep his will as our primary objective, what we want and what he wants tend to come together.

Dear Lord, many things about our lives are mysterious and unknown, you made it that way for your reasons. Help us remember that we don’t need to figure it all out, we just need to focus on you and surrender to your will, then move forward with our lives. You will give us the desire and power to do what pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Years ago, when I was flying in the military, I remember being, “number one for takeoff” which is the first airplane next to the runway waiting. While waiting, a B1 Bomber was on the runway taking off. As it accelerated for takeoff with afterburners lit on its four engines, producing 120,000 lbs of thrust, the ground shook from the amazing power.

Paul writes about God’s power in Ephesians 1:19, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” he goes on in verse 22, “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.”

The most powerful thing we can imagine, like that B1 aircraft, is insignificant compared to the power of God who created everything. Even more amazing, is that God offers this power to each off us. The power to give us eternal life, and the power to overcome any challenges we may face in our lives.

Dear Lord, we cannot comprehend the magnitude of your power, but how grateful we are that we can call on you in our times of need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box