Whether choosing right relationships, correct ways of thinking, proper approaches through circumstances, or how to handle kids, family, business and even money, God’s wisdom as written in His word positions us to win at every turn. Of course, the Bible doesn’t write out every “yes” or “no” to every option we may face; it doesn’t give us a outline for what should be done first in any particular event or situation, but what it does in inviting us to study its teachings nothing can match. The Bible calls us, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

When we repented of our sins, God began a work in us. Immediately we were transformed from children of darkness to sons and daughters. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. But daily we seek God to continue to work He’s done in us from day one. When we submit to the intentions of pursuing God daily, we embrace the renewing power of God to deepen us in Him. In our renewal we reflect God to the world around us and we declare that He is Lord of all! We change up to be the new creatures He has made us to be.

Repentance is a core doctrine or teaching of Christianity but scour the world religions and you will find that repentance is foundational to most if not all of them. Why is that?

So God speaks, He leads. Why? Because He desires the best for us. He desires, like a good father should, an outcome for us that is life giving and full of joy and peace. He desires prosperity for us. Health, wealth and riches are in the mind of God for us. Safety and security are within His plans. The key thing is learning how to hear His voice and meditate on His Word.

So why do we operate in fears? Why do we suffer with lack and minimums? Why do we accept less than what God has promised? If we are to manifest Him in the world, we have to do so with His strength based not on our capacity, but by God’s great strength that resides in us.

God is our reliable Friend who sticks with us when times are hard or foreboding. He is that Friend who is by our side through the ups and downs of life—a constant, caring, comforting Friend.

For the past 10 years or so our church has scheduled a family camp out. Every year about a dozen or so of us head out to the border of Philadelphia and New York to pitch our tents in the open. Of course, if you’ve ever been outside in the woods, it gets really dark when the sun goes down. In that campsite, there are very few lights, if any, that lines to pathways they’ve created, so when you walk to the bathroom or anywhere it can be fairly concerning. To alleviate that sense of certain, unforeseen danger even death that lurks in the darkness behind the trees, you need a companion to walk with you.

Our Scripture reading tells us that we can do all things through Christ. How? Because he’s strengthens us to do it. The reading also tell us that we can boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, what can man do to me?” Meaning, there’s nothing man can or has done to offset the plan of God for my life! You don’t have to fear. You can be courageous! And you should!

In His sovereignty is His power of provision. If He is all powerful, then there’s nothing that He can’t provide. Whatever your needs maybe, He can meet it. There’s nothing out of His control and oversight. So what are your concerns?

Some understand love as reciprocal, meaning we love only when others love us. But true love is independent not dependent. For love to be love it cannot be based on someone else’s actions. It begins with who we are and how we love ourselves.

Faith is heading onward no matter the visibility of the path one is on. There is a hope that as you inch forward the road would be there and not a ravine. It’s plowing ahead believing that you will get to the other side maybe slowly, but safely.

In our current society it’s not vogue to “obey”. But in God’s Kingdom, obedience is dear to the heart of God. In fact God would rather have us obey than to offer up sacrifices or prayers. He’d rather have you and me submit to His commands and guiding than for us to fast or sing songs in worship. Why?

The grace of God is reflected in His forgiveness. The depth of that grace we can only begin to know by the telling of His sacrifice at the cross. There on Golgotha’s hill, He gave His life willingly, doing so because of the judgment of God that required meting.

Lust often promises a whole lot of feelings, emotions and release, but more often than not they are fleeting, self deprecating and the result(s) can be devastating. What is done in lust for 15 minutes can make us suffer the consequences for 15 years or more.

How others see us can be a burden. Peering eyes and judgmental looks can take a toll in our minds. Abandonment and distancing can break our hearts. How does God see us? What can we do to get out from the shadow and the sting of shame?

Live long enough and people will provoke you and act in ways that will irritate and frustrate you. Your reaction to it will not only reflect what God is doing or has done in your life, it will also save you from loss of time and energy. What then are some godly ways to deal with anger?

We humans go through a myriad of experiences in this life. There are times that our heart hurts and we sink because of others’ actions or inactions. And then there are those times where we mess ourselves up through decisions we make that do not pan out. Where is God in all of it?

When we study our Scripture reading, we find that God calls us to forgiveness and that an unforgiving heart (which is what unforgiveness mostly mean) leads us to fester in dark places both in heart and mind. What are some of the signs of unforgiveness?

How have you been offended? How have you been an offense? Your response can reveal your maturity as a person and your understanding and acceptance of God’s very own plan for dealing with offense.

Not all fears are equal. There is a fear that leads us to wisdom and there is a fear that leads us into doubt and dread. Which fear will you chose?