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God designed everything and made everything out of nothing. When you consider the amazing diversity and creativity and majesty displayed in every corner of the created world that we can see, hear, smell, taste and feel, God’s handiwork is just absolutely stunning. He created angles and dimensions, shapes and textures, colors and flavors, scents and elements, and, well, everything known and unknown to us. And Our God made us and is now remaking us into the likeness of Jesus. This is Who our hope is in. This is Who our praise is for. This is Who helps us and keeps us forever. Rejoice! Our God is an awesome God.

God sees what we cannot. While delays, detours and dead-ends can bring about disappointment and frustration, they may be God’s way of blocking us from something He doesn’t mean for us to do or have because it is not good for us or others in the end. Let us rejoice when this happens, for when God says “No” to our plans, He is saying “Yes” to something He has planned that is far better. Costly mistakes are avoided, and wonderful blessings are gained when He steps in to order our steps. Remember: when God graciously reroutes the lives of those who are trusting in Jesus, it is always to put us on the right path.

Our hope is not in who sits in the Oval Office, but in Who sits on the throne in heaven. Our hope is not in who governs us on earth, but in Who reigns and rules over the entire universe. Our hope is not in what laws are passed, but in the One Who has written His law of love on our hearts. While politics, parties, programs and policies do have an impact upon our lives and our country, and we should take these things seriously, the optimism we have for everyday and eternal well-being does not rise and fall on one of us, but on Jesus, Who is God with us. This is where we pin our hope: Jesus governs our lives.

Rather than spending our lives laboring for things we cannot keep, we should use our wisdom, talents, opportunities, resources and energy in pursuit of things we cannot lose. While acquiring wealth through righteous means can be a blessing, it is never a blessing to toil for wealth at the expense of true riches in Christ and His kingdom. We seek to know, enjoy, proclaim, serve and glorify Him first. Then, the financial blessings God entrusts to us should be stewarded to do the most good for the most people. When our time and money are used in this way, we will find satisfaction in Him that we can never get from wealth.

We will fight many battles in life. We will fight for the things that God means for us to have and do, and we will fight against the things that would rob us of the abundant life that is ours in Christ. Physical well-being. Spiritual warfare. Family protection. Kingdom fruit. Our happiness. God’s honor. We are to get ready for battle, go to battle and depend on God in battle. It is not our strength, our plan, our wisdom, our abilities, our possessions or our community that we are to trust in, but rather our God. He provides the resources we use and the results from their use. For both the means and the victory come from Him.

We are prone to want things and want things now. But we often make a mess of things by acting hastily. To avoid getting nowhere fast, we should prayerfully answer three questions: Does God want me to do this? How does God want me to do this? When does God want me to do this? As we slow down and sincerely seek His will, He gives us the right desire, the right way and the right time to do the things that are right for us. Even more than that, He graciously encourages us and empowers us and equips us for the doing. Praise God! We will never miss the way when we are walking in stride with Jesus.

True friendship is marked by a love that endures through all of life’s circumstances from the best of times to the worst of times. And while a friend loves always, that love is demonstrated in all kinds of ways. Sometimes it comforts. Sometimes it corrects. Sometimes it cheers. At all times a friend imperfectly loves in whatever way fits the occasion and points to the perfect love of our greatest friend, Jesus. He knows what is best for us, wants what is best for us and does what is best for us. We rely on Him to pass on what we receive from Him to the people in our lives. Our love to others flows from His love to us.

God is to be praised every day in every place by everything that has breath. Who He is deserves it. What He does deserves it. So… Let us stand still, stand back and stand in awe of the One Who is perfect in every act, every decision, every purpose, every trait and every way. He creates from nothing. He rules over everything. He can do anything. And all that He is, says and does is good. We cannot improve upon a single thing in the universe that bears His handiwork or bears His likeness. Today, let us worship Him with glad and grateful and glory-giving hearts, remembering this: It is always appropriate to applaud God.

We are influenced for good or for bad by the company we keep. The instruction of others. The approval of others. The example of others. Little by little our lives are shaped by what we see other people do and what other people say we should do. That is why it is so essential that we surround ourselves with people who act and speak like Jesus. Yes, we are to love people who are far from God which requires spending time with them. But we are to regularly fellowship with people close to God so we are able to love people without falling in love with the world. Thanks be to Jesus for the gracious gift of godly influence.

One of the smartest things we can do is realize we are not as smart as God. As we move from leaning on our instincts, our knowledge, our experiences and our preferences, which are limited and flawed, to putting our full weight on who God is and what God says, He will guide our lives. Guide us into what is right. Guide us into what is true. Guide us into what is good. God has something to say about all of the areas of our lives. Relationships. Money. Sex. Time. Work. Leisure. Everything. He says it best in calling us to submit to Jesus in childlike faith when He says simply: Follow me. That is always the straight path.