“When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.”
– Psalm 56:3

There will likely be times in your life that are simply overwhelming. Times when your fear is real and completely valid. In those times, remember that God is a very present help to His people. God wants to use those times to build your trust in Him. To teach you how to walk through the valley of the shadow of death with Him. Contrary to the popular myth (which is absolutely a myth), God will absolutely give you more than you can handle. He’ll permit more struggles and setbacks than you can sort through on your own.

This is so you will learn to walk in His strength and the power of His Spirit rather than your own strength and spirit. It’s in these overwhelming and frightening times that you need to be completely open and honest with God. Confessing your fears. Admit your inadequacy. Lift up your concerns. Trusting in the Lord. If Jesus is your Lord, then He is in you and with you. His Spirit seals and will strengthen you. He will give you your daily bread when you ask for it. You’re never alone and never abandoned! Do what God has made you to do. Do what God has called you to do. Do what God has prepared for you to do, no matter how intimidating or overwhelming. Trust in God despite your fears. #FollowJesus

“And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.” – 2 Samuel 6:8

King David had his people transport the Ark of the Covenant in ways that disobeyed God’s clear guidance. Ways that failed to respect God’s holiness. Unfortunately, a well-meaning man named Uzzah paid the ultimate price for David’s error. What was David’s first response to this tragedy? He got angry even though it was his own fault. Just another way that King David is like us.

After all, what’s our first reaction when our disobedience to God results in obvious and disastrous consequences? We usually get mad! We get mad because God sometimes makes us feel the consequences for our bad decisions. We get mad because our good idea didn’t turn out to be so good after all. Our pride is wounded. Our reputation is diminished. We’re embarrassed. We look to blame others. We look to blame God. We look to blame anyone other than ourselves. Our first response is seldom humble introspection or sorrow for our sins or mistakes.

We need to reprogram ourselves. The Holy Spirit living in every believer makes that possible. We don’t have to default to anger. We can, with God’s help, learn to default to humility, self-control, honest reflection, and genuine sorrow. As we grow closer to Jesus, these things will supernaturally come out of us. But it begins with realizing that our default instinct, like David’s, is wrong. Don’t get mad, #FollowJesus

Let’s all try to grow past that. While it would be ideal if followers of Jesus never sinned or made foolish choices.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

This verse is a stark warning to every believer in Jesus. It sits in the middle of a long chapter responding to some in the church who had begun to doubt the most fundamental tenet of Christianity – the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that opened the way for all believers to rise to new eternal life in Christ. This verse emphasizes the truth that believers must carefully guard our minds and hearts from the influence of anyone undermining our faith by their words, actions, or lifestyle.

This is a tricky thing to navigate… Followers of Jesus should be in the world, engaging with non-believers, loving and caring for them while sharing the Gospel with them. We must not lock ourselves away from the unbelieving world. However, we must remain rooted in Scripture and hold firmly to the teachings of Jesus. Believers must understand the unchanging faith that has been delivered once for all time without letting ignorance, questions, or doubts from skeptics, seekers, or new believers undermine that. As Paul emphasizes throughout this entire letter, as newcomers enter the church, we must not let the ways of the world enter with them. Christians should hold firmly to their faith, not letting the morals and mindset of the world change the beliefs of the church or undermine her holiness.

How are you guarding your faith and character in Christ? What is your defense against the relentless way in which the world chips away at your pursuit of Christ, imitation of Christ, and obedience to Christ? Are you sharing Christ with others and also protecting your faith and practice of it? Are you regularly fortifying your soul with Bible study, Scripture meditation, prayer, worship, and meaningful fellowship with other Christians? If not, mark Paul’s warning well! #FollowJesus

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
– Psalm 51:17

King David had committed unimaginably terrible sins. He’d violated God’s ten commandments, indulged his lust, murdered a man who trusted and served him faithfully, and lied to cover it all up. There was no excusing it, explaining it, or defending it. He’d begun to suffer the consequences and punishments for his sins and by all rights, David was no longer fit to be king.

However, David was still a man after God’s heart, even after his fall into sin. David understood God’s amazing grace and mercy. He knew that just because he’d sinned terribly against God and many people, that didn’t mean God was done with him. God’s grace is always readily available. There is always complete forgiveness waiting for anyone who comes to the Lord with a broken, contrite heart. God will forgive everyone who repents of their sins and asks His forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

It was true then and it’s true today. No matter who you are or what you may have done, God will graciously forgive you when you ask for it through faith in Jesus. Nobody who still draws breath is too far gone for God’s forgiveness, blessing, and life. Nobody! David was right – God won’t reject or despise a genuinely repentant heart. He’ll accept the sacrifice of sorrow for your sins because He’s already accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross in your place. #FollowJesus

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1

No matter how gifted or talented you are as a speaker, writer, or linguist, if you lack love, you don’t sound good. Nobody does under those circumstances. Rude, harsh, callous, condescending, overbearing, or cruel words are always a cacophony of terrible noise. No matter how well-constructed, perfectly conjugated, or meticulously accented they may be. The point the Apostle Paul emphasizes throughout all of this famous chapter of Scripture is for followers of Jesus to major in love. Lead with love, follow with love, flood with love. Use your gifts and talents in love or not at all.

So, do you lead with love? Or do you often find reasons why you simply can’t “this time”? The Lord really isn’t too interested in excuses on this topic. Not according to Scripture. Live, speak, and act with love. #FollowJesus