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Because we are all sinful creatures we fail God and other people regularly. In those moments of failure we certainly deserve whatever condemnation and judgement might come our way, yet we can all recall times when God showed us His grace instead and gave us a fresh start. You may feel like you’ve blown it so badly that God will never take you back. But He stands ready right now to extend His grace and give you a new beginning!
If a sketchy person approached you on the street one night and asked you to go with him down a dark alley, would you go? Probably not! Why is it that we recognize that kind of danger immediately, but we so often get fooled by temptation? If only we had some kind of guidebook to give us the wisdom we need to make the best choices in life. Well, we do! It’s the Book of Proverbs, and today we discover how to use it to steer us away from sin and keep us on the path of life.
King Saul had it all. He was tall, handsome, popular and powerful. But while he may have looked like the perfect king on the outside, everyone soon discovered that he had no substance on the inside. His pride and lack of self-discipline caused him to ignore God’s commands and follow his own desires. Sadly, this became his downfall and led him to a life of rebellion and destruction. He should serve as a warning to all of us about the danger of disregarding God’s Word and going our own way.
There are times in life when God allows us to go through seasons of barrenness. We feel emptied of the joy and hope we once knew. God uses these trials to test us and grow our faith, and if we will allow the hardships to make us better instead of bitter, God will bring us through to a place of blessedness once again, where we are much stronger than we were before.
Most will agree, this past year was a challenge. No one could predict the kind of events and trials many have faced. But thankfully, none took God by surprise. Even before Jesus came into this world, God made it clear the kind of Savior He would be. It was His mission to save us and provide everything we need to not only survive but thrive among the trials and tribulations of this darkening world. Join us as we recognize the battles that wage war around us, and the weapons and strategies available to us to not only stand firm but even take back ground that may have been lost.
Did you ever try to assemble a complicated piece of furniture without using the instruction manual? When you’ve got five screws and a hinge left over, you realize you should have followed the directions. Messing up a home project may be bad, but it’s nothing compared to messing up your life! God has given us the Instruction Manual for life, and if we choose to ignore it, we don’t stand a chance. So, what are you using for your directions?
So, there you are, faithfully following God, when all of a sudden you find yourself right in the middle of another trial! Have you ever wondered why God leads you into so many tests of faith? Today we find the Israelites trapped between an approaching Egyptian army on one side and the Red Sea on the other. Why did God lead them there? Does He not care about them at all? Even though there was an easier route, God brought them to this crisis in order to show His power. Could it be that the situation you are wishing would disappear right now is the very thing God wants to use to show His power and strengthen your faith?
It’s easy to “say” we would follow God anywhere, but it’s a whole different story when He actually calls us to step out into the complete unknown and follow Him by faith without having a clue how things are going to turn out. Doing so requires us to relinquish control of our lives and trust that whatever God brings about is ultimately best. Are you willing to trust God that way?
As we face the trials and hardships of life, we must not face them alone. Some Christians think they can separate themselves from the Body of Christ and still survive, but the notion of individual Christianity is not found anywhere in the Bible. Peter gives us vital instructions on how to stick together when life tries to tear us apart, and when we do, our lives will bring glory to God. Make sure you are not trying to do life alone!
Have you ever known someone who seemed to have it all, and yet it wasn’t enough? On the other hand, have you ever known someone who had very little, and they were bitter and resentful because others had more than they did? But the real question is, how content are you? Once you learn the secret of contentment, God’s power will be alive in you, and your life will be a blessing and an inspiration to others.
