Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Ps 27:11

As we make preparation for each day, our minds begin to fill with ideas and thoughts for things that we may face, but little consideration is given to prepare for the unknown things. If things go according to how we imagined, the day is considered a good day. However, it is the unknown things that challenge and change our days, and often lead us in circles. If given the choice, most people won’t ask for help or admit that they don’t know something. What a difference a teachable spirit would make. The scripture passage reminds us that God has a way for each of our lives and we must be taught and lead by Him to find the way for our life. God has a unique purpose for each of His children. However, too often our time is spent in attempts to do and accomplish things for our pleasure, that appease our passion, and satisfy our self-determined purposes. For many, the bible is read more out of duty, than for direction. In this passage we see the humility of the psalmist when he asks, “teach me Thy way, O Lord” and the weakness in his humanity to pray “lead me in the plain path.” He instructs us to maintain a teachable spirit to look to God, learn from God, and live by His power and provisions. Jesus taught His disciples to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mt 6:33) as the manner for which they were to live. He also taught them that the Father is the One who must lead them and when they pray ask “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Mt 6:13). My friend, prepare your heart each day with a teachable spirit and determine to know His will and His way for your life. Pray for wisdom to do what you can do, look to Him, and lean of His understanding, and then wait on the Lord by faith for the results (Prov 3:5-6). You will find that He will lead you “in a plain path” and away from the things that frustrate, things that cause us to go in circles, and things that cause regret. You can know the God of peace and discover more of His eternal love through sincere prayer to ask of Him and seek direction through His word. Father thank You for the plan and purpose that You created in our lives. Help us to remain humble and teachable that we may “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Col 1:10). In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. John 2:5

We all respond in different ways when “called to action.” Sometimes we respond immediately without hesitation.  Other times, we may not be so responsive, even disregard the ask as unimportant or not applicable. Yet at the core of one’s response is a recognition of authority and the relationship one has with that authority. The scripture passage reminds us of how we ought to respond to Jesus’ authority and the word of God. Our response to the word of God demonstrates our relationship with Jesus Christ and our recognition for His authority. Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had “found favor with God” (Lk 1:30), submitted herself a “maidservant of the Lord” (Lk 1:38), surrendered herself to do God’s will in her life. She believed God and recognized Jesus’ authority as the Son of God. She told the servants at the wedding “whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” In her response, Mary relinquished her parental authority that she might continue to submit to God’s Divine authority. We can see from her response that she decreased herself, directed others’ attention to Jesus, and demonstrated confidence in the His authority. My friend, there is no greater love and honor that one can have for God the Father than to recognize Jesus, His Son, and His authority in their life. What has been your response to the word of God? Have you heard God direct you in way that you may exalt His Son, even in the simplest of things? Is there someone that you have been meaning to call, but have not the time? A sick neighbor? A student away from home? A friend who has lost dear loved one. Or someone who has become withdrawn and distanced. Recognize these things as of the Lord and hear Him say “do it.” Father let it be unto me that wherever You lead, I will go. Whatever You say unto me, I will do it. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. John 21:16

I pray that you were wonderfully blessed as you gathered with your local church in worship on the Lord’s Day. Be strengthen and encouraged in your walk of faith throughout the week ahead. There are many who become frustrated and discouraged by life’s setbacks and failures in the journey of life. I believe most people have good intentions and ambition to do well, even in Christian life. There are many believers who want to live a more devoted life but struggle to get back up and continue after moments of falling, failing, and fumbling with temptations and pleasures in life. When temptations come, and they come to all, not all resist and overcome. These tempting moments can leave us in despair and doubt about our devotion to Christ. The scripture passage reminds us of the persistent love that God has for each of His children. Following Peter’s denial of Jesus on the night before His crucifixion, Peter ran and hid himself. Peter struggled with his failure, and his faith and confidence were under attack. Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times, but He also told him that He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. My friend, in those moments when we have fallen to temptation, it is then that we can hear the words of Jesus say “lovest thou Me?” Know that Jesus has prayed for you that you will continue in faith to believe and follow Him. Jesus is most concerned about your faith, not your failure. He wants to grow and mature your faith in Him that you can face and escape life’s temptations (1 Cor 10:13) to live life “more abundantly” (Jn 10:10), filled with joy, and walk faithfully with Him (Acts 13:52). Dear friend, Jesus will never leave you to squander in your self-pity, remain broken from your fall, or desperate in your despair. He will come to you to pickup the broken pieces and restore you to Himself. He will continue the good work that He began in you until He returns to bring you home to be with Him (Phil 1:6). Father, thank You for your persistent love and for Your word that reminds me that I am not forsaken, but always forgiven. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You are my Rock and Redeemer, and “Thou knowest that I love Thee.” My friend, continue in His love. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.