1 Samuel 28:7a – Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do." (NLT)

My wife and I once faced a financial situation where the outgo exceeded the income. We needed to escape, but we had no means to merely pick up and leave, nor did we have any employment awaiting us. The longer we stayed, the worse things got, and the more debt we accumulated.

I decided to consult my middle brother, since he had a business degree and was always level-headed with financial decisions. I gave him the scoop, the prognosis, and the question. He suggested a few "outs", but I'd already tried them. None had worked. However, our conversation did set the wheels in motion, and we eventually made a clean break.

King Saul's repeated disobedience shortly after God appointed him king resulted in the mantle passing to young David. Saul's archenemies, the Philistines, had gathered for battle. He was afraid. His guidance counsellor, the prophet Samuel, was dead. Who could he get advice from? He decided to visit what he had banned in the kingdom: a medium.

Advice of all varieties abounds. It always has, but now it's more prevalent. Through my smartphone, iPad, or computer, I can find out anything I want to know. The roles of parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, Sunday school teachers, and pastors have all been affected.

Although the number of sources — and the sources themselves — from which advice can be obtained has changed, the importance of getting sound advice has not. Advice from others is beneficial when making decisions, especially major ones.

Our ultimate Source should be God. He advises prayer and meditation. God will speak to our spirit if we take the time to listen and not do all the talking. Trusted Christian friends who are spiritually mature are also good sources. We can trust that their advice will be based on God's Word. Books written by respected Christian leaders and consultations with sound spiritual counsellors are further places for appropriate advice. And when both are on the same spiritual journey, spouses should certainly be consulted.

God didn't create us to be alone. When we need assistance, let us go to God first, and then find a trusted source who will give us honest and wise advice.

Prayer: Father, guide us to You and to a sound source when we need life advice. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. (MSG)

When I wrote Reflections On Success in 1996, I had been a public servant for 22 years. I remember farther back, when I was having job interviews back in the early 1970s, one recruiter asked me where I wanted to be in five years. I told this person, "I want to be where God wants me to be." Now, as I prepare to exit the public service after almost 34 years, it's been a pretty amazing time, and I can see God's blessing all along the way.

I don't think I'd have ever dreamed that a public service career could have turned into a ministry opportunity. In fact, for the first six years or so, I just did my job, "crunching numbers" for Statistics Canada (StatCan). Then around 1980, I discovered that some folks at work were meeting over the noon-hour to study the Bible. This was not new to me — I'd been involved in Bible studies at university and in my own church — but in a work setting — this was something new. I joined the group, and within a few years, I graduated to leadership when the founder retired. Sometimes, it would be only myself and one other person, but we continued to meet ("wherever two or three are gathered…") and over a number of years, God honoured our faithfulness, and other groups were formed by some of those we'd nurtured along. Today, there are six different Christian activities happening regularly at StatCan, including a French group, a Mandarin group, a "video group" that grew out of an Alpha program, and one group that regularly looks at some of the "Christian classics" like The Westminster Confession of Faith. Mainly, we explore what it is to be a Christian in the workplace, but this also involves getting to know one another on a deeper level, supporting each other in prayer, and much more. My group has been a rock for me over the years when I was so busy in my own church that I couldn't squeeze in time in the evenings for Bible study. To see some of "our folk" mature as Christians, wanting to follow God more closely, willing to take on tasks to serve Him, touches the heart.

So, as I prepare to exit my workplace in the next month or so, what is foremost in my mind is what has been accomplished for His kingdom. The rest pales in comparison!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to trust You to keep us on track, Your track, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Help us to be Your people each day, to show others by our love that we have a loving heavenly Father, and to help them to come to know You, too. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Some time ago, I found myself being dragged into the world's mould. I began to notice how many of my colleagues had made it farther up the corporate ladder and found myself bemoaning the fact that I had received only one real promotion in 17 years. The fact that I was always one to fret over financial security, as my wife will readily attest, contributed to this drag. That my family was at that point reasonably well looked after (we, a family of 4, were surviving quite nicely on one income) was beside the point — what about the future? At some point, I read an article that helped me understand the process I was going through and get out of the rut I was in. I won't attempt to summarize the article, but I will describe the results.

The article encouraged me to look at my situation. I was a Christian (Presbyterian all my life, believer since university days), husband, father of two (boy born 1977, girl 1980), elder and Sunday School superintendent in my church, with a fairly heavy load there. As a Christian, I was known by God and I knew Him. I was trying to follow where He led, and had taken on the responsibilities of marriage, fatherhood, eldership, and the superintendency with a fairly clear indication that these were things the Lord wanted me to do. When I began looking at my circumstances in this light, I could see that in His terms, I was a success. Furthermore, He had given me so many responsibilities in the local church that I probably couldn't have handled any increase at work. This brought me to a state of peace with God, and helped ease my fears about the future — if it were in His hands, it really couldn't be more secure. Ah, the peace of God that passes all understanding!

The interesting thing is what happened next — although the "next" was over an extended period — "in His time". To make a long story short, I received a promotion, and financial security is no longer a concern. Responsibilities have shifted somewhat, more at work, different ones at church and in the family (father of two teenagers!). The active verse these days seems to be this:

Luke 12:48b – From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (NIV)

Along with this comes the sense that the Lord is with me, and will never give me anything I can't handle with His strength. What more can I say? How about "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!"

Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks for being our loving heavenly Father and all that this entails: wanting to be there for us through all of our lives, guiding, guarding, scolding, consoling — all those things a father does. Thanks for Your faithfulness in our past and our present. Help us to trust You for our future. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Deuteronomy 4:9 – Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (NIV)

My dogs and I walk ten times around our fenced half acre daily to get our exercise. Lately, I have noticed that I can see a faint outline of the path which we have trod over the past year. Our feet have begun to chart our route, and as we continue our habit, I expect that the pathway will become much more apparent as the ground beneath our walking feet is slowly worn deeper and deeper away.

This reminds me of the Lord's command to His people, in today's Scripture. He exhorts them to closely watch over themselves in regards to their spiritual walk. They are to be consistent and diligent in not letting themselves forget everything they have seen Him do. His faithfulness is never to slip from their hearts, not ever. The word "slip" is defined as losing one's balance unintentionally, for a short distance (Oxford Dictionary). If you have ever slipped, you know all too well just how quickly such a thing happens, and when you least expect it.

Likewise, slipping in regards to remembering all that God has taught and done for us can also happen quickly and unintentionally. Life catches us up with its busyness, illness drags us down, good times embrace us in their pleasure, laziness dictates that we can let spiritual habits slide, at least for a while, and before we know it, we are not really thinking of the Lord very often at all. He is still there, but in the shadows rather than at the forefront of our daily walk.

That's just how easily slipping happens, and when it occurs, if we are not quick to notice and regain our balance, the spiritual pathway which we are leaving for others to follow now, as well as after we are gone, can easily begin to fade into nothingness.

Thus, let us remember, as the Lord has said, to be careful and watch closely: to watch our hearts' attitudes, our minds' thoughts, and our spiritual habits of reading and knowing the Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and raising our voice in praise and prayer. For as we watch closely, we shall not slip. We shall never forget all that He has done for us through His Word and deeds, so that the pathway we leave behind us daily, as well as after He has called us home, stands bright and clear, well defined, for others to see and follow.

Prayer: Father God, remind me to be careful and to closely watch over my spiritual walk with You, that others may see and follow the godly pathway that my life is treading. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.

John 1:12 – But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (ESV)

Oftentimes, television advertisements promote products for people who are in — or want to be in — positions of influence. Their appeal revolves around the power to be lauded, to selfishly say by implication or directly, "I am worth it!"

Sadly, I fear democracy has reached its nadir. We live in the times of postmodernity where all truth is relative, apparently, and so many untruths and half-truths are being propounded as truth.

After the trauma of World War II, humanity's hubris was curtailed for a time. There was a genuine desire to rebuild and transcend the preceding norms that had pervaded the early 20th century. Now some 80-plus years later, most of those good intentions and universal hopes and fears mostly lie in tatters. I was one born and raised in this time of a vision of justice, forgiveness, honour, moral rectitude, and transparency. Over time, this seems to have dissipated into financial or political expediency.

Truth and righteousness have fallen on so many deaf ears. Two thousand years ago, it was much the same: people were suffering. The only difference between then and now is that it took weeks or months for news to travel across the then known world, instead of just by the click of a button.

It was for such times as this that Jesus, the Son of God, came to reside on earth as the Son of Man, into a broken, suffering, fearful, and hard-pressed society. Jesus came to offer a revival of righteousness, to shine His light on hope, love, truth, compassion, and self-giving.

No matter who we are, Jesus shows His love for us. Whether we are great or insignificant in the world's view, Jesus died to bring to us the opportunity for freedom and hope. In His resurrection and ascension, He has poured out the Holy Spirit on all those who choose to become His disciples, to make a life-changing difference for us, both in this world now and latterly in the one to come.

Jesus shows us the way to know the real, absolute truth. Taking Jesus as our Saviour is the only way for us to find acceptance and a genuine peace in an eternal life that matters. As Christians, we become His children and He cares for us. He exemplifies what it means to stand up for His absolute values of doing the right thing no matter what the cost. He will be with us as we try, and He will provide a way through.

In contrast to "I am worth it", Jesus says, "You are worth it — always."

Prayer: Lord, we are humbled and also amazed that You found us where we are. Yet again, we ask for Your presence with us through the day to bring Your light into dark times. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Philippians 3:13b – But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. (NIV)

Have you had a chance yet this year to look at your bank and credit card statements, scratch your head, and wonder where it all went? If you haven't, you soon will!

None of us has the ability to change the past, so we must learn from it and move on. One of the greatest teachings in the Bible is that no matter how badly we blow it, our mistakes in the past can be forgiven, erased, and gone forever. When we focus on the past, we are destroying our future. So, let's begin to "strain", which means "stretch to the utmost" towards our future and build it. Don't dwell in the past, being a member of the IFIDA club thinking "if I'd have" only been smarter with my money, I'd be rich today. Join the IMGUNNA club and say, "This year I'm going to be a wise steward of the funds that God gives me." The key to being a smart money manager is deciding, before the money comes in, where it's going, instead of trying to figure out where it went after the fact.

Each day, God gives us a fresh new start, and with that, another opportunity to form new and better financial habits. Don't waste that opportunity today. Make a point of prayerfully deciding, "Where are the very best places for the next money I earn?" before it comes in. Always remember that just because stumbling blocks are thrown in your way, it doesn't mean you have to stumble!

Prayer: Lord God, grant me Your vision for my future and Your wisdom to know how I may adequately make provisions for it. Amen.

Lately, I have been having trouble seeing correctly. The ophthalmologist tells me I have cataracts on both eyes, so I will have surgery later in January. The cataracts are impairing my sight more in one eye than in the other. My son set my computer screen with larger print, but I still find it hard to see the words. In addition, I have double vision. In church, I see double of everything, even the pastor! On the big screen, he puts up Scripture verses and important points during his message. I find that if I close one eye, I can see it right; it is no longer double.

A dear friend at church seems to sense when I am becoming discouraged, and she comes to my rescue at just the right time. The Spirit of God brings Scripture to her mind and mine to encourage me when it is needed most. Believers have a blessed hope in knowing Jesus Christ. Here are a couple of passages that have helped me the most:

Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

John 14:1-4 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

Our bodies are precious. Sight is precious. We should never take it for granted. Fanny Crosby was blind from a very young age, but with her hope in Christ, she was able to sing, "Face to face".

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face — what will it be
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
       Carrie E. Breck

1 Corinthians 13:12a – Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. (NIV)

Despite our physical problems and worries, let us — like Fanny Crosby — fix our eyes on Jesus!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness to us on a daily basis. Thank You for Your Son going to the cross to die for our sin. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to show Your love to family, friends, and neighbours. Amen.

Psalm 17:5 – My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (ESV)

When I was a little girl, my parents used to take us sledding in the mountains during the winter. The fun part is sliding down the hill — the less fun part is getting back up! My dad was quite a big man: six feet six inches tall, size 13 feet. He used to create steps in the snow for us (and all the other kids) to make getting back up the hill easier. He'd dig his foot deep into the snow, one by one up the hill, creating tracks for us to follow.

This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughters out sledding. We were having a great time, but my youngest daughter was having trouble walking in the knee-deep snow. She kept complaining of being "so-o-o tired" (picture a very dramatic six-year-old saying this). I thought back to what my dad used to do for us in the snow and told her, "Follow Daddy's footsteps; walk in his tracks; it will make it so much easier!"

As this was coming out of my mouth, it hit me: Isn't this exactly what God wants for us? He wants us to follow Him. He has already created the path for us.

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (ESV)

When we try to do things our own way and go off course from the Lord's way, our walk becomes a struggle; it gets a lot more difficult. It's like trying to walk through deep, deep snow. But when we follow Him, it's so much easier and lighter. By following Him and His path, we allow Him to direct us instead of trying to direct things ourselves.

I'm not saying that bad things will never happen and that life will always be easy. But walking in His footsteps means that we never have to go through those bad things on our own. He has created the path, even through the lowest valleys that we may experience in life. He gives us what we need in those dark times. In Psalm 119:105, the writer testifies, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the path to take and for promising to walk that path alongside us no matter what life brings us. Forgive us when we try to do things our own way. Continually bring us back to Your path, which is easy and light. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 5:8 – Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow. (NLT)

One wintry day, my husband and I were walking at the golf course, which has a trail that, along much of its way, parallels the river to our left. We hoped to see some overwintering river birds. At first, however, the river wasn't visible. Suddenly, we came to a fork in the trail, but we knew from previous walks that we were supposed to keep to the right, the main trail.

Terry decided he wanted to get closer to the river sooner, so we took the left trail. We followed it easily, but after a while, it dwindled to nothing. No footprints in the snow showed us where to go next. "I know the main trail is just over to our right," said my resolute husband. "We just have to get back to it." After a lot of traipsing through the bush, getting snow inside our boots and stumbling over hidden sticks, we finally found the main path again.

In Scripture, the words "path" or "way" are pictures of the life course that God sets out before us, or the one that we ourselves choose to follow. We have to make a decision. When we are in tune with the Lord, we can hear His guidance. "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)

John 14:6 – Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)

When we make the decision through Jesus, we find ourselves on the right path, the one that leads to eternal life. Jesus told His disciples that He is the only way to the Father.

Matthew 7:13a,14 – Don't look for shortcuts to God. … The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires total attention. (MSG)

Keeping to the path in the woods on the right would have led us by the river eventually. We needn't have wasted time and effort by looking for a shortcut.

God's Word is our roadmap. It guides and illuminates our journey through life.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)

We don't have to see a great distance ahead. The Lord illuminates only the way just before us. We have enough light, or guidance, for the moment.

Psalm 23:3b-4 – He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (NLT)

Let us continue this new year rejoicing that it is the Lord Who leads us on the right path!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your leading, guidance, and protection. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

I have a friend who is the sole caregiver for her 106-year-old mother. Her mother has some clarity of mind and can manage some of her own personal issues, but nevertheless requires quite a bit of care and cannot be left alone. In addition, my friend's daughter has been diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer — but has already fought it off longer than expected — and her son has other serious issues.

The pressure is intense, but she decided to start each day by recording five blessings and five prayer requests. We hold Bible study at her house so she can be near her mom, and she told us last week that this practice has made a huge difference in her attitude and thought patterns. She looks back in her journal and sees how she has been blessed and how prayers have been answered, especially as her daughter continues to fight the cancer.

One such answer had us all laughing. She hasn't been able to go to church because she has to be with her mom, but a neighbour offered to watch Mom on Sunday. She announced that God had sent her a person who attends church on Saturday so she could go to church on Sunday! God also provided the means to pay for a caregiver five mornings a week so she can run errands and visit her daughter who lives nearby.

After she told us about this, I decided to start the same practice. Each morning, I think about the previous day and what blessings occurred. Some of them are small, like finally getting the right paint colour for touching up my walls. Others are larger, like the great sermon my pastor preached on Sunday. Then, I record requests for friends' healing, support for family members or myself, or any other need that has crossed my path. It forces me to think in different patterns.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV)

Recording our blessings and requests is a powerful tool to help us grow in our faith. Since it's private, we can be honest with God. Also, writing keeps the mind from wandering. And as we write, other blessings and requests will come to mind. There's something about putting pen or pencil to paper that helps the mind to think.

Whether in a fancy journal, a simple notebook from the dollar store, or a file on a computer, let's commit to starting this new year recording our blessings and requests. Just think what a wonderful time we'll have at the end of 2025 looking back at how we have been blessed and how God has answered our prayers!

Prayer: Father, thank You that You listen to us as we pour out our hearts to You. Amen.