God’s Words Are Pure Nourishment: There was a Christian lady that said she often skipped meals. When I don’t eat breakfast in the morning I say my prayers, “Jesus is my breakfast!” I keep my focus on Jesus, who is the primary source of strength for all of us, regardless of economic condition. Jesus is the Bread of Life.
The Same Grace: One day the worst bully in my school called to ask my forgiveness for all the terrible things he had done and said. I could scarcely take it in. The school bully was actually asking my forgiveness! I extended him the same grace that Christ showed to me? Extending forgiveness to somebody who’s been malicious is hard.
Everything in our nature demands that we get revenge, with triple-digit interest added. But though revenge may taste sweet for a time, it is poison to our hearts and spirits. Ask God to give you grace to forgive others as you have been forgiven. When you forgive, you are released from bondage and past hurts.
Signposts for Living: While driving on a new highway I noticed several large electronic signs at various intervals above the road. Some of the signs were blank, while others flashed a message, usually warning motorists of traffic conditions ahead. I looked at all of the signs because one might say something that would affect my route or safety.
Thinking about the signs it dawned on me that I read the Bible each day for much the same reason. On any given day there may be a message that will change the direction I am traveling and protect me or someone else from harm.
Perhaps I may find a word of guidance that helps me make a decision or avoid a sin; or I may find a word of reproach that causes me to change the way I am thinking or acting.
I may find a word of grace that brings peace and forgiveness to my spirit. Each day, it is good to read the Bible and thank God for speaking to us through the scriptures.
Ask God to give you eyes to see, and ears to hear His message for you. Above all, ask God to give you the will to follow His leading. God’s signs can make the difference.
Do What You Can: God doesn’t demand the impossible, just the possible. God takes our efforts and accomplishes the amazing. We may not think we bring much to the table; but God can make a great feast from very little when we give it willingly.
Ask God to give you strength to do your best and to shoulder your part of the load. Ask Him to help you be someone that He can depend on. If you do what you can, God will do what you cannot.
Making Room for God’s Love: Every so often the closets in your home may need to be cleaned out. When you try to put something away you discover you have no room. There are clothes that don’t fit, old papers that need throwing away, and boxes of things long forgotten and unused.
Your spiritual life can become like your closet – so full of unnecessary and even harmful attitudes and behaviors that there is no room for the good or the new. As followers of Christ, we are called to be conscious of all we carry around that doesn’t allow room for God’s love in our lives and our hearts.
If we are self-absorbed, we have no room to care for others. If we are full of hate and prejudice, we have no room for compassion and love.
Our faith calls us to continually let go of what takes up space in our hearts and minds and instead to allow ourselves to be filled with the love of God. Ask God to help you empty your life of everything that keeps you from living your life as His disciple.
