Forgiven to serve is a gift from the Lord. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. [1] As a youth, I understood in child-like faith what Jesus did for me, but I was an adult before I began to …
The kindness of Jesus is a repeated theme as you meditate on the Gospels. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, and Jesus continually models kindness and affects everyone around Him. Who is the kindest person in your life? Isn’t being around them like sitting in the warm sunshine? Kind people change the atmosphere around …
In our confusion, Jesus calls again. This is reassuring. Has there been times when you thought the Lord was leading you in a specific direction, and you stalled or lost your way? Sometimes as we follow Lord, we start down the path He has laid out for us, and doubt can set in. I may …
Jesus comes to encourage us. This gives insight into how much He loves us and knows what is happening in our lives. Has there been a time in your life when you were discouraged, and the Lord prompted you to pray or turn to His word? Have you noticed that the spiritual atmosphere changed when …
What do I do when I am confused? How do I bring clarity to my situation? Sometimes, our world has just been turned upside down, and we are unsure what to do next. This can happen when I receive a negative diagnosis from the doctor, at the loss of a job, or at any other …
Stumbling spiritually is an experience we wish would not happen, but it does. As we journey through life, we are not always on a mountaintop doing everything right. Sometimes we find ourselves in a valley of our own making, wondering why we have been so foolish. I have stumbled several times, but thankful the Holy …
Failure to understand God’s plan can cause poor decisions, resentment, and even bitterness. If we don’t understand God’s plan, we focus on ourselves, not the Lord. Faith is trusting God’s actions in my life, even when it does not make sense. Perhaps you have been in a situation where God’s plan does not make sense. …
When a friend betrays us, it can be one of the most hurtful experiences we can endure. But what if we turned our attention away from our circumstances and asked the Lord to bring healing and good out of this situation? Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the …
The importance of keeping watch is of profound significance when lives are in danger. There is something about maintaining watch that has a built-in sense of urgency and responsibility. We see this in a nurse who keeps watch over a seriously ill patient, a forest service employee who keeps a lookout for fire, or a …
Praying for God’s will is a massive step of faith as we realize God has a plan for our lives. Psalm 32: 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. [1] As you meditate on this verse, the Lord will reveal …