Most of us are either going through a tough situation or just came out of one, so we can relate to the stories in the Bible that talk about people going through painful situations, and just when they think it can’t get any worse, it does. Jairus had a daughter who was at the point of death. He had heard about the miracles that Jesus was doing and the pain of losing his daughter was greater than his pride. You see, he was a high level political leader whose peers were seeking way to destroy the Son of God. After telling Jesus of his problem, news comes to him that Jesus was no longer needed because his daughter had died. Jesus tells Jairus not to fear but only believe. This was a life changing moment for Jairus. He could either believe in his circumstances or he could choose to believe in Jesus. He chose Jesus, and as a result, his daughter received her healing.

Believers have to make a choice when they are faced with difficult circumstances. We are to walk by faith and not by sight. God wants us to focus on the fact that all things are possible for those who believe. It doesn’t matter how bad your situation looks right now; it may even get worse before it gets better, but the power of Almighty God is not lessen by the degree of difficulty of a problem. God can do everything! The responsibility of the Christian is to only believe. The Word of God tells us not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything. God will not get involved if you do not involve Him. Depend on the strength of God and you will be victorious over the trials and temptations you will face in your life. Do not fear – only believe!

Every one makes many choices each day. We are choosing to either do the right thing or do whatever will satisfy a selfish desire. Most of us try to do the right thing because it is our desire to please God in everything that we do. But if you look at the world around us, the right thing is not always being done. Satan’s main goal is to steal, kill and destroy those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and he has many schemes in his arsonal to work with. Pornography, adultery, murder, lust, lying, pride and prejudice are just a few schemes used to destroy a human soul.

Wickedness is prevelant in our society today, but the Word and the will of God will never change. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death but the Bible also says that Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have the power within you to not yield to the fiery darts of Satan. You have the power within you to put Satan under your feet and live victoriously. The choice is up to you.

Choose life today. Be wise to what Satan is doing. Ask God to come and live inside of your heart today. God loves you just the way you are. Don’t go another day without receiving the gift that Jesus is offering. Jesus paid the price for you to have peace on this earth and eternal life. Seek him and you will find him when you seek him with all of your heart.

As I reflect on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I realize that the cross is where justice met mercy, and now every believer in Jesus Christ has been given a second chance.  By choosing to do the will of his Father, Jesus paid in full the sin debt that no man could have ever paid.  Without laying down his life, we would have no hope – no hope for spending eternity with our heavenly Father.  When Jesus declared ‘it is finished’ he not only accomplished everything that God required by the shedding of his blood, but he also made it possible for us to live with peace and possess the power and authority to overcome our sinful nature and not live in bondage to the enemy of our soul – Satan.

No one should live without knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  No one should face death not being certain that they will spend eternity with Almighty God.  If you are a believer, embrace your salvation.  If you are not a believer, seek the truth.  The Bible tells us that if we seek Jesus with all of our heart, we will find him.  God loves each of you so much that He gave his only begotten Son to become a ransom for all.  Jesus is a precious gift.  Draw close to him today and as you continue to walk with the Lord, your entire life will change and you will find your purpose in life.

Have you ever wondered why the crowd that shouted ‘Hosanna” as the Lord rode on the donkey into the city of Jerusalem one day would cry out ‘crucify him’ within a few days? They expected Jesus to deliver them from the oppression of the Roman government. They expected Jesus to set up a new government whereby they would be free. They expected that Jesus would solve all of their problems and they would have everything that they wanted. As we know, this did not happen. Jesus did not meet the expectations of the people. Jesus was not the man they thought he was so they became angry at him and turned against him. Jesus was bringing the kingdom of God to earth. Jesus was concerned about the oppression they were under as a result of their sins. Jesus came to make a way for people to have eternal life, a life beyond this natural realm.

People today are still looking for a hero. They need a hero to make them feel good. Their hero allows them to escape reality and show them how good life could be. Unfortunately, their hero will only day prove that they are just another person who has imperfections just like they do. Many people still do not believe that Jesus came to give his life so that we might live. God so loved the world that He gave us a most precious gift – His only begotten Son.

If you are looking for a hero today, look at Jesus. Jesus will never fail you. He will prove to you that He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

Trust is looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have. When you trust your heavenly Father, you can wait patiently and confidently. Some people trust everyone; others trusted at one time but have since found it to be too painful because of past betrayals and now trust no one. The Word of God tells us that we are to trust the Lord completely. God has promised to hold us by our right hand and help us in our time of need. He has also promised to never leave nor forsake us. Do you have that assurance from anyone else in your life? Our family and friends are limited in what they can do for us, but God is not. People will disappoint us from time to time. They cannot always do what we would like for them to do. Promises are broken no matter how hard a person may try to keep their word but Jesus Christ is the authentic promise-keeper. No one who puts their trust in God will be disappointed.

If you want to learn how to trust, begin by trusting God. God will show you His faithfulness. He will cause you not to fear. If you are emotionally suffering from a past relationship where your trust was violated, let the love of God heal you. God’s love is everlasting and unconditional. God is love.

The gospels recount the story of Jesus, after experiencing a long day of ministry, tells his disciples to get a boat because he wants to go over to the other side meaning they had to cross over the Sea of Galilee. Jesus decides to go to the back of the boat where he soon falls asleep. The disciples find themselves in the middle of a strong storm with huge waves that cause water to spill over into their boat. The disciples become fearful and they wake up Jesus not understanding how he could sleep with this storm raging. Jesus speaks to the wind and the waves and brings peace and calm to their situation. Jesus then asks the diciples why they were so fearful and where was their faith?

Everyone will go through a storm in their life. No one is exempt. It doesn’t matter how good you are or how bad you are; bad things do happen to good people. Jesus knew that this storm was ahead of them but this did not change anything. The disciples encountered this storm even though they were in God’s will. After all, it was Jesus who told them to get a boat to take them to the other side. This was a test for the disciples, a test of their faith and they failed. The disciples just had to remember who Jesus was and could have stood on their faith in God.

Your journey on earth may not be easy. You will encounter storms, and you might even get wet, but do not fear. You will make it to the other side. Jesus is in your boat with you and He can calm any storm. Sometimes He will allow the storm to rage but will calm you instead. Just remember that He is the creator of heaven and earth. Often, our greatest storms are within us and not around us. So when your boat begins to shake, hold onto Jesus and stand on your faith. He is the only life guard you need!

The Bible tells us that each of us has been given a measure of faith, but it is up to us whether or not our faith develops. If you look at a mustard seed, you will see that this seed is very, very small, yet it has the potential to grow into bushes as tall as four feet. Yet, that little bit of faith is all it takes to move mountains. Seeds must first be planted and over a period of time the harvest will come if the seed was planted into good soil.

Our faith is small as a baby Christian but over time, our faith is to grow and develop so that we become more and more Christ-like. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’ Faith gets God’s attention and our spiritual growth will depend on how much faith we have as we journey through this life on earth. Just as it takes time for a seed to germinate and produce a harvest, it also takes time that is filled with heart ache, trials and tribulations to produce patience as we wait upon the Lord to see us through our dark times.

Make certain that your faith is developing and growing day by day so that you become a mature Christian who is able to show your heavenly Father that you trust Him and that you believe that He is who He says He is and that He will do what His Word says He will do. Faith as small as a mustard seed is understandable at the beginning of your walk with God but if it remains small after 5, 10, 15 years, you should begin to seek God with all of your heart. Remember, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Don’t let him steal the faith you should possess that will cause you to live a victorious life.

Many Christians attend church regularly but I wonder if they are really listening when tbe Word of God is preached?  You can easily become distracted by thinking about what you are going to do when you leave the service or what you have to do when you get home, but how much of the Word have you actually heard?  Faith comes by hearing and when you listen and hear the Word of God and actually apply it to your life, you are then growing into the person God wants you to become.

As you listen, the spirit of God will bring revelation to you and you will then be able to understand what God is actually saying to you.  If you are changed by the Word, then your heart is good soil and the Bible says you will reap 30, 60 and one-hudred fold.  Just hearing the Word is not enough.  The Word must go down into your being so that you become rooted and grounded and will not waiver when the trials of life come.  If you don’t listen, if you do not hear, the Word falls on stony ground and Satan will be able to steal the Word from you.

Make it a point to listen, hear and be changed by the Word of God and remember that God’s Word will not return to Him void but it will accomplish what He has sent it to do.(Isaiah 55:11).