Are you feeling weak and afraid today? Is there something confronting you that terrifies you, and causes you to tremble, or makes you lay awake in the night... unable to sleep because of worry? If this is true then you are refusing to leave those things with the Lord. You are carrying them into your prayer closet, placing them in the Father’s hands, and then bringing them right back out with you at the end of your time of prayer. If this is you, then you are saying that you lean on God, and yet those are just words to you.

Grace... how do we understand its meaning? as used in the Bible, we interpret it to mean mercy, pardon, power, healing, kindness, and in all cases... unwarranted favor. We are told in scripture that it comes to us from God by way of His Son Jesus. However, the Hebrew definition is a bit different, and means to render kindness to another as their superior. In both cases there is an implied sense of beauty associated with the act. So how will God’s grace be given you today? In what beautiful way will grace be rendered in your life?

When we first believed we were so certain that our love for Jesus would never falter. In that moment His presence filled us with great joy, and His peace was upon us, but now, after many years, we look back on our life of faith, and realize that although our desire was always to be faithful... it has not always been so. Despite our love for Jesus, and our adoration of the Father, we have not always lived up to our pledge. Oh the times of remorse, and the hours spent in prayerful contrition, but God is faithful, and Jesus ever at our side in forgiveness saying “Go and sin no more.”

Do we believe that Jesus will return to claim us, His Church, as His bride? Do we believe that it is possible for us to be sanctified, and prepared for His arrival? Well fellow believers, He will most certainly come, and in that moment of glorious coming we will have been readied by God, through our faith, and made righteous by His hand, for Christ. We will be prepared by God’s Holy Spirit to meet Him, and dressed as one who is pure for that moment. Yes, and the constant struggle against sin will have finally come to an end.

In this the time of Advent when we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ, we also are in the final days of the financial year for many businesses. In faith we praise God for the birth of His Son, but as workers, and businessmen we are determining the financial success of our store, farm, or business. On the one hand is great joy and anticipation, but on the other is a temptation to increase our earnings, possibly by nefarious means... in the one hand we hold the lamb of God, but with the other we often stroke the head of our selfishness, and greed.

Do we lead a peaceful life? Does the peace of Christ govern not only our own lives, but also influence the lives of everyone around us? We are meant to be like Jesus, and in this way we are called to be peaceful beings. Look about you today and ask yourself a few questions about living your life in faith... is my home a place of rest and peace? Do I conduct myself in a peaceful manner at all times? When I pray am I praying for peace to be the product of my every desire, or just an occasional wish?

Where do you look for help when your footing of Faith becomes uncertain? Where do you turn to be uplifted, and made firm in your faith once more? When you begin to sink into an envy of the world what secures your step? Those who worship the world might look to be prosperous and happy in their wickedness, but their singing lasts only a night, and their path is slippery... even unto death.

Are you feeling good about being chosen by God for righteousness? Do you think that God selected you, and urged your soul to open itself to Him because you were special, good, or by some other attribute were distinguished as being deserving above others? Well perhaps it’s time to look at yourself in a totally different light... to look In the mirror through the eyes of God.

Are you someone who worries over every little thing that might possibly happen to you in the future, or, are you a person who leans on God to provide solutions as problems arise? There is much discussion today about the negative effects of stress and worry on our health, but if you hold tight to the promise that Jesus made to us you will live a life that is free of such things.

We want to do the will of God, and to deliver the gospel message as we have been instructed, but sometimes we are lead to very dangerous places, and told to speak; in those moments are we afraid? Fear can silence us, and yet, Jesus has said we will be protected, so what is it, and who is it, that we are afraid of? Yet even knowing His promise of protection fear can pursue us.

Do you love those around you? Do you exude a spirit of love that others can feel, and see when they approach you? If you are a hard person and bitter towards others it is time to let Jesus transform you, and become more like God the Father because love is the essence of God. Do you know the nature of God, and is it obvious on your face, and in your spiritual eyes?

What leads us to Church today, or perhaps to read this devotional message? Is it because we are suffering through a trial we can’t conquer alone, maybe a feeling of loneliness, or a sense of emptiness in our life that we need to quench? No? Then perhaps it is Advent, and the anticipated celebration of the coming Christ? Still you say no? Then just maybe you are in search of something you can’t quite put your finger on, but that you know exists, and is missing from your life, something good... the longing for a love that is much needed by your soul. Whatever the reason, God satisfies our hungry soul, and calls us.

Do we do trust in God to provide for us when we are called to do His will? Do we find ourselves reluctant to proceed on because the earthly cost is just too high? Sometimes even the most saintly people find themselves reluctant to walk away from a precious thing they have come to value. They lose sight of the fact that God gave them all they currently have, and that if they will obey Him, the Lord will not abandon them to poverty. He is able to give many times the amount they might lose... if He so desires.