God is very serious about us having good and clear thinking: 'Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think' (Romans 12:2 TLB). In 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV), Paul reminds Timothy that God helps us process things properly using a 'sound mind', to help us figure out the most godly way of living. Things like discernment, self-control and peace.

We're all created with an in-built, natural sense of what's good for us, and what isn't, and what behaviour is decent or not. Godly discernment, part of this 'sound mind' from him, goes a step further. God gives us the gift of sensing what is wise - from the mundane (maybe I shouldn't be on Facebook when I have 43 deadlines for tomorrow), right up to the harder-to-work-out stuff. Like when we sense that a situation isn't quite right, spiritually. Or when we sense the need to pray for and support someone.

The important thing to bear in mind is: we don't need to work for a sound mind. We need to ask for one. Good and evil, effective and ineffective, worthwhile and worthless - when faced with choices, God will give us a deep-down sense of what to step in to, and what to step away from.

So what now? Go on... ask for God to share his discernment with you. Ask for the spirit of a sound mind that you are promised.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) we read, 'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' The scene is set. What does God want to fill us with? Power and love. Now, power on its own brings breakthrough, insight and whatever else God uses to move mountains in our lives. But love is also needed: living in a wholehearted, accepting way, looking to put others first, is the best way to live out godly power.

Ultimately, God's will is for power and love to work together in us. God himself works like that. He is the King of extraordinary power who is motivated by love. The first thing we find in our Bibles (Genesis 1:1) is his power to create the heavens and earth, and us, humans. We are his most precious creation. He used his power to create something who he loves a lot, enough to die in our place, so that we can be in relationship with him.

He's more than willing to share himself with us; he gives us his spirit freely. And he asks us to mirror his power and love to the world. Our world is bound to change when we take hold of these gifts.

So what now? What can you do today that combines power and love? Where can you take a lead in a certain situation, with loads of love, and see that situation turned around for good?

In God's word it says, 'Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not

be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord' (2 Timothy 1:6-8 NKJV). Paul is encouraging Timothy to trust in and embrace the gifts and mission God has given him. In verse 7, the words 'spirit of' refer to something human and natural, rather than super-natural. It means an 'attitude of', or 'disposition of'. Paul is telling Timothy that God has given him an attitude of power, love and a sound mind. This means that Timothy is enabled to live out what God wants for him.

The same applies today. We're invited to have faith in what God's given us and in the Gospel - both are totally trustworthy. When things go wrong, it means that God has given us the ability to approach them with an attitude of power, love and a sound mind.

So, let's take the God-given, attitude-changing message of the Gospel and carry it with faith, not with fear. Fear breeds fear. But faith welcomes in hope and the presence of God.

So what now? What's your fear about a situation in your life? God has given you gifts to make a difference in this situation, and he is completely trustworthy. You are victorious because you have a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Be encouraged today!

We're human and we're all not perfect: we make promises we don't or can't keep; we lose our composure from time to time; we don't 'make the grade' at school or uni or work, we overcommit and then can't fulfil those commitments; we disagree and have different perspectives. We sometimes mess up big time, with consequences for us and others.

But, when we feel like we've messed up and disappointed God, ourselves and/or others, God always has his arms wide open. He's the parent at the school gate who, when he sees his child has had a hard day, hugs them despite what's happened. We see this in the story of the Prodigal Son (read Luke 15). God is always for his children and is willing to get involved in their mess, even when they're covered in regret and pain. He will always run to embrace them, even when they've covered themselves in shame.

In God's word, we read, 'Show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults' (1 Peter 4:8 TLB). Like God and the father of the prodigal, we are called to love people, regardless. This is not always easy, because people may have really hurt us or let us down. Let's ask God to show us his love for us first, to help us to extend love to those around us. We are all loved, regardless.

So what now? If someone you know is struggling, get in touch just to ask how they are. Letting someone know you're concerned and there for them can make a world of difference.

Every week in most church services, the front row is taken up by worship leaders, youth pastors, leaders and their families. 'Why is that?' we may wonder. Do our brains ever think: 'Why isn't that me?' Or maybe instead we could thank God for their dedication and service? It's not a bad thought to want to be in a more visible, esteemed position. But what else is in that thought? Did this same thought happen at other times of our lives: at school, where there was always a circle of kids that everyone longed to be a part of; maybe at uni, or even at work, with the Big Names that everyone knows. That desire to be important in others' minds is one reason people want to be in the circle of 'special people' at the centre of most social groups.

As for the leadership roles here on earth, let's consider what Jesus said, 'Take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, "Friend, move up to a better place." Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests' (Luke 14:10 NIV). If we're content to be ourselves, then any 'promotion' will be good and natural.

God knows our longing to be in the 'in crowd'. So he meets it himself. We're all warmly welcomed by our Father. In his Kingdom, there are no favourites, no first-tier or second-tier Christians.

So what now? Zoom in on the front row this Sunday. Which person can you bless or serve in some way?

Yesterday we read that God knows what he's doing, even if we have no idea of the future. But even though we know this, it can still be hard to move forward. This is particularly true if we're not yet sure where God is leading us. But God also makes this promise: 'I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them' (Isaiah 42:16 NIV). That's a great promise!

Plus, God encourages us: '"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). That's a reassuring place to start. The apostle Paul writes, 'I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called...I also pray that you will understand

the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him' (Ephesians 1:18-19 NLT).

It's scary to keep going without knowing, and it's scary having to wait but, at the right time, God will show us what we're meant to see and do.

So what now? Whether you have some idea of your future or not, ask God to help you see the light he shines on your next step. Keep praying that each day, thanking him in advance.