It's not too heavy for Jesus Christ

The weight of death leans heavy on all of us, and often colors our life choices. In this way, we live in bondage to the concept of death. The Bible declares that the one person who managed to lift the burden of death from himself and from others is ready to help us with that weight (Eph 2:1-10). How do you feel the weight of death? How would you live differently if you no longer had to fear death?

But will there be enough for ME?

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He encouraged them to ask for their daily needs. When we consider our resources, like our food, emotional strength, or health, we should remember that it's God who supplies these resources, and He has an unlimited supply from which to draw. How might you rely less on your own resources this week and believe God will supply your needs? 

Fill us up - with what?

Sometimes we spend much of our time recognizing sin and seeing its damaging effects. The Bible reminds us that we are to be filled with God's presence, especially his love (Eph 3:19). The more time we spend thinking of God's love and HIS great gift to us, the less time we have to dwell on the failures of sin. How much time will you spend this week meditating and thinking about God's love?

Nurturing the Fruit of the Spirit

While sound doctrine and strong knowledge of the Bible are important to Christians, we should remember that these are not what usually attracts others to Christ. We support our charity and desire for justice on the truths we find in scripture (Phil 1:9), but it is the evidence of Christ in us that others find attractive. Can you think of a time when winning an argument cost a friendship?

Too desperate to pray

When we find ourselves in times of anguish and desperation, our words may fail us. God knows what we need before we ask and He gives us His Holy Spirit to speak the words we cannot Rom 8:26-30. We all experience pain and desperation, but we don't need to fear these times because we have a voice, even if we have trouble hearing it.

What does Christ treasure?

It's easy to let our failures and shortcomings discourage us.Paul knew that and encouraged the early church (and us) by reminding us that Christ considers Christians His great inheritance. We might do well to remember that He treasures us and values who we are, even when we fail Him and ourselves. Can you see yourself as someone Christ treasures?

Abraham's faith was counted as rightousness

In Romans 4, Paul asserts that Abraham was justified by faith. Paul's argument stems from the blessing given to Abraham BEFORE Abraham actually obeyed God. We can take great comfort that we, like Abraham, receive God's salvation by faith alone. Even those who claim salvation by grace might find themselves trusting in their own works. What do you trust in for your soul's salvation?