Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-15 (NLT)
God loves each of His children. He doesn't want any of us to wander from the path He has chosen for us because His chosen path is the best for us. When we wander, God disciplines us. This discipline may be uncomfortable or even painful, but it guides us back onto the path that God wants us to be on.
What is the path that God has marked out for each of us? God wants us to walk and live in ways that show that we love God and each other.
Why is it so important for us to stay on God's chosen path? Why is it so important that we are careful to obey God and live in ways that show love for God and each other?
Verse 13 of our Bible reading explains. This verse says, "Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." That means, when we are carefully obeying God, we and the people around us will be strengthened.
Our own faith will become stronger. We will become more like Jesus.
The faith of the people around us will grow so that even those who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior will want to welcome Him into their lives.
We should always want what is best for God's kingdom. One of the things that is best for God's kingdom is for all people to love and obey God by staying on the straight path that He wants us to stay on.
"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal." Hebrews 12:14-16
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to stay on a straight path so other will see You and choose Jesus. In Jesus' name. Amen.