"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13, NKJV). How can you learn to better claim these promises? What attitudes or actions are holding you back?

It is very easy to base our lives on the way things appear rather than hoping in God and trusting in His power. When we doubt what God has said we reveal our lack of faith and our need for spiritual growth.

The only way to trust God more is to simply trust Him. There is not substitute for having a relationship with God. Each of us must experience God for ourselves. But it starts off with the little things. Trusting God with the little helps in trusting him with the big.

Just being religious, in and of itself, is not the answer. What is most important is having a personal relationship with Jesus, knowing for yourself His love and care. This can be done through daily reading of the Word, through prayer, through talking to the Lord as if with a friend, through contemplating His character as revealed in nature and Scripture. How much time do you spend getting to know the Lord for yourself? Might you need, perhaps, to spend a little more time with your Lord and Maker?

Prayer: Father thank you for your love , and your grace. Help us to spend more time with you and to trust you more. Keep us in your care. Thank you in Jesus name amen.