Lord Jesus, you showed your disciples the incredible power that came from knowing you were loved by your heavenly Father and from living in ways that pleased Him. Help us to remember, each time we look at then cross, just how much you loved us, even while we were sinners, and how much it cost you to set us free from sin. Then, dear Lord, give us the strength to get up off our knees and follow you - wherever you lead - whatever the cost. And so may we ever seek your praise above all else. Amen

Human beings are born with a knowledge of good and evil -
of knowing the difference between right and wrong. But it
comes at a cost - the temptation to do wrong. You can train
a dog to keep away from a door, but try and train a child! It
is easy to do right when the reward is instantaneous - like a
Fairground sideshow - but when we do right and no-one
notices (especially if it cost us lot) we quickly lose heart.
Interestingly, that is the key! The heart. If our heart is set
on human reward, whether it is approval from others or
material gain, we are chasing after the wind. (Try reading
Ecclesiastes and you will see that it has all been tried before!). However, if our heart really is centred on Christ we do right because He is righteous - and if we really love Him we will want to please Him, even if others think us stupid, or a spoilsport.
If the authorities hated Jesus for doing right (another way of saying
He did what His heavenly Father said) we cannot expect to be
applauded for standing up for righteousness ourselves. But we can be
sure that it is infinitely better to please God and do right by Him
than to try and please fickle human nature.
But sometimes the problem is knowing what is right. Our friends say
one thing, we think another. How can we be sure? One way is to make sure that we stay in touch with God - all day, every day. Another is to know our Bible; and yet another is to ask God in prayer. And then? Do it! If we do what we really believe will please God - even if we sometimes get it wrong - He will pour out His love on us and our hearts will know for sure. Others may scorn, but you belong to Christ.

St Paul says, "Submit to the authorities because of conscience." They are set in place to ensure safety, freedom and the good of all. "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing." So, do we keep the law? Do we pay our taxes willingly; drive safely and uphold the law publicly and privately? Many don't. Are we ready to trust God by doing right?

Although the law of the land is mostly good and prevents anarchy and civil war, occasionally, it can go wrong. When there is genuine conflict, as St Peter said, "we must obey God rather than men." We must be sure, however, that we are obeying God. What do we do when we know the law is wrong? Are we clear about God's will? How can we find out when there is doubt? Are we prepared for the cost of obeying God?

It is hard to stand up for the truth when others attack - especially if they are your family or friends. "Don't be a spoilsport", they say, and we give in. Knowing that others are supporting us can be a wonderful source of strength, but alone we are very vulnerable. Do we pray for those who put their lives at risk to stand up for Jesus? Are we aware of others praying for us? How did Jesus find the strength to face temptation?

The saddest stories in the Bible are those that tell of the way that God's people turned away from Him every time they were richly blessed. Time and again the temptation is there to ignore God whenever He gives them all they want. Are we really grateful for all that we have? Do we thank God each morning, each mealtime, each evening? Do we gladly share our blessings of time, talents and money with those in need?

Doubt can be a blessing and a curse. To believe everything that we are told would be foolish. Knowing what to believe takes wisdom, and wisdom is a gift of God. If we pray and are uncertain of the answer, we can ask a wise Christian friend for advice or prayer. But there comes a time when we must act - in faith. Those who act in faith God will support. Are you waiting for proof - or are you willing to step out in faith?

One of the trials of life is pressure from others. We want to be liked and so we bow to the demands of family, friends or work - and think God doesn't mind. But He does. And it affects our life - a lot. Where is the pressure in your life? Do you talk it over with God? Who is more important to you - your friends or God? Are we brave enough to stand up and be counted as friends of God - or will we let the devil win?

Give thanks for the many ways God is at work, through:
- evangelists
- parents
- teachers
- counsellors
- scientists
- writers

Remember today, those who carry the burden of:
- sickness
- a lawless past
- fear
- loneliness
- broken families
- obsessions
- not knowing
                    God