Hiking alone can be dangerous. But, if you have someone with you when something unexpected happens, you have someone to carry you, find help or lighten your load.
In the Bible, Jesus warns about false prophets who appear to have good intentions but are actually- really bad news. He uses a parable of good and bad trees, and He says by their fruit, we’ll recognize them. Our actions and our words are the fruit we produce to those around us.
Most of us, generally believe we’re on the right path in life. We make our own decisions and know where we’re going. All seems well until the road twists and turns with anxiety, fear and worry. How did something so certain change so quickly?
Philippians 4:6 states, “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
With so many choices in life, relying on God for guidance is the only way to know we’re headed in the right direction. Whether you go left or right, pray for God’s wisdom. He will never lead you down the wrong path.
Our sun gives off more energy in one second than all mankind has produced since creation began. With a diameter of approximately 860,000 miles, the sun could hold one million planets the size of the Earth. The rate at which its energy is emitted is equivalent to the energy coming from a furnace at a temperature of about 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is one magnificent creation that truly, points to an all-powerful Creator God! And friends, His incomparably great power is at work in you! So know this today: if you have the Son spelled with an ‘O,’ you have far more power than the sun that spelled with a ‘U!’
At the beginning of the twentieth century, infectious diseases were the primary causes of premature death in America. But in the twenty-first century, preventable lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and many cancers- influenced by unhealthy habits and poor choices are shortening our lives. The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 44,000 and 98,000 die in the US each year from preventable diseases. In many cases, we’re killing ourselves.
Today, let’s be reminded that admitting our need for God and surrendering our lives to Him is always the first step to healing any destructive habit we may have. Let God help you today. Putting Him first in your life is the only way to true satisfaction.
My friend’s 6-month old puppy is coming a long way with her training. We went on a trail run together with his dog and she did great. Even off-leash she stayed right with us- until… a squirrel ran across our path. It didn’t matter that she’s had so much training and really wanted to please her owner. When the squirrel ran past, she took off and chased it up a tree. They are her weakness!
What about you? What things distract you from your prayer life or time in scripture? For some it’s work; a busy schedule in general. For a lot us it might just be social media. It absolutely has its place to share the gospel, but often, it just becomes mindless scrolling.
If you feel like there is something grabbing your attention more than your Heavenly Father- try to put it down for a while and bring your focus back to God.
Think of the last really good action movie you saw. The car chases, the crazy parkour moves, the fight scenes…
Chances are, the actors you know aren’t actually doing these stunts themselves. Instead, movies rely on body doubles to make these crazy stunts happen safely. A body double is similar in height and appearance- wears the same clothes and even learns to walk the same way as the actor they are imitating.
Likewise, as Christians- we are to be the “body double” of Christ on earth. As we learn of His character in scripture, we learn how to imitate His behavior to a world in desperate need of Christ-like love.
