Where is God when your life is excruciatingly challenging and you feel all alone?

God is nearer to you than you realize.

We are in God’s presence, because God is near. God is not far from his children. There is no place we can go that God is not aware of where we are and present to us.

God spoke of his nearness to his people through the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24, ESV).

What does it look like to be strong, watchful, and firm in your faith?

The expression “man up” is often used as a call to be strong and courageous and to take responsibility for one’s actions.

As followers of Jesus, whether male or female, we are to be strong and courageous and to take responsibility for our actions.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Corinth, encouraging them to “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV).

What is your ultimate reward in life? What are you seeking out or desiring?

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, Abraham was looking for a son, a descendent to carry forward his name so that he would be blessed in life.

Genesis tells us “The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’” (Genesis 15:1, NIV).

In seeking out God’s blessings and promises, we do not need to be afraid. God himself is our protector and our very great reward.

God is our provider. The one who gives us every blessing and reward in life is himself our ultimate reward.

What would you give if you believed you had everything? What investments have you made in your eternal future?

As followers of Jesus, as his beloved children, we have access to the everything that God has in store for us. We have access to everything of the kingdom of God.

In Luke’s gospel account, Jesus said to his disciples, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32, ESV).

Because God desires to give us his kingdom at his good pleasure, we should not be afraid for how we live our lives or how we pour ourselves out for others in generous living.

What is the purpose of the work you do? Is there meaning in the mundane and the profound tasks that you accomplish each and every day?

Our lives have purpose and meaning. Each and every thing that we do should bring honor and glory to God. From the littlest of tasks to the most profound of our undertakings, we are working to the purposes, to the plan, and to the glory of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Corinth encouraging them to glorify God in all they do, including their work. Paul wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).

Are you ready for another kingdom? Are you ready for your masters return? Do you believe that Jesus will return with judgement for the unfaithful and blessing for the faithful?

How we believe the narrative of this life ends effects how we live our lives in the present.

Jesus promised his disciples and the multitudes that he would return, telling them to “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” (Luke 12:35-36, ESV).

We are to stay awake. We are to keep the lights on. We are to be dressed for action.

Have you heard the saying, “A friend of a friend is a friend?”

Would you ever dishonor a friend in need by not helping him?

Would a friend of yours dishonor you in your time of need by not helping you?

Do you have a friend that would dishonor themselves by not coming through for you or for someone else in need?

A true friend who has access to what you need will provide it for you for your honor, their honor, and for the honor of the relationship.

This is the heartbeat of Jesus’ illustrative story in his teaching of his disciples how to pray in Luke’s gospel account.

Jesus said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” (Luke 11:5-8, ESV).

Do you believe you already have an abundance? What would you do if you had more wealth added to the wealth you have?

Some of us want more wealth to pay off debts, to get ahead, and to be financially secure. Many of us want more wealth for the sake of giving more generously to others.

It is fascinating to see the news coverage of people being interviewed who are purchasing lottery tickets when the lottery reaches record highs. People dream out loud about what they will buy and what they will give with their new found wealth should they win.

A similar scene unfolds when Jesus told the crowd a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’” (Luke 12:16-17, ESV).

How much is enough? What would you receive that would make you content enough to not ask for anything more?

When asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” Famed multi-millionaire John D. Rockefeller replied, “Just a little bit more.”

It is easy to look at what we do not have instead of looking at what we have. It is in our sinful human nature to always want more.

While Jesus was teaching his disciples and the multitudes, “Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’” (Luke 12:13-14, ESV).

Does your life equate to the things you own? Is your life more abundant than the abundance of your possessions?

Our lives are more than what we own. Our possessions are not the sum of who we are, or an accurate representation of our true net worth. We are of more value than our physical assets of value.

In Luke’s Gospel account, Jesus spoke a warning to his disciples and those in the crowd about the dangers of covetousness; he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, ESV).

How do you know when to pray? How do you know how to pray?

After Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, Jesus assumed that they would pray and then taught them how to go about praying—giving them a model prayer.

Jesus did not say, “if you pray.” Jesus said, “when you pray.” Prayer is assumed from a disciple of Jesus.

In Luke’s gospel account of the disciple’s prayer, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, saying, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’” (Luke 11:3-4, ESV).

How slow is God in responding to us? Another way to ask it is, how patient is God in waiting on us to show us his faithfulness?

God is not slow in fulfilling his commitments to us. God is infinitely patient in waiting on everyone to come to know him. God keeps his promises in his perfect time.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV).

What is your response to being provided for, healed, or restored by Jesus?

Our provision, healing, and restoration should provoke a loving response from us of worship towards Jesus. This was the case with Mary Magdalene whom Jesus had delivered from seven demons. When Mary was restored, she followed Jesus along with other women who provided for Jesus and his disciples as they followed him.

Luke’s gospel account tells us, “Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” (Luke 8:1-3, ESV).

Have you been taught to pray? Did you know that you could be taught how to pray?

We can learn how to pray. Jesus prayed. Jesus also taught his disciples how to pray.

In his gospel account, Luke shows us that Jesus prayed and Jesus’ disciples desired to learn how to pray. Luke tells us, “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1, ESV).

What is your reasoning behind what you believe? How do you rationally understand your faith and explain and reason your faith to those who enquire?

We all have reasons behind our beliefs. Each of us have a story of our encounter with God. We also have evidence and historical background for the faith we hold.

The Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter encouraging believers, saying, “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15, ESV).

What are you worried and anxious over? Is it easier or more difficult to hear God when you are worried or anxious?

When we are overly busy, worried, or anxious, it can be difficult to hear from God or to be present with Jesus.

In chapter ten of Luke’s gospel account Jesus’ friends Martha and Mary offered hospitality to Jesus while he was traveling.

Luke tells us “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.” (Luke 10:38-39, ESV).

Who are you learning from? What and who is shaping your life as you submit yourself, your attention, and your time?

To learn from someone and to be a disciple in the first century, the time of Jesus, you would sit at your teacher’s feet. You would sit at your rabbi’s feet as his disciple.

In sharing his testimony of his own growth and development in the Jewish faith, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” (Acts 22:3, ESV).

Are you seeking God and his strength and presence in your life?

It has been said that we often find what we are looking for. If this is true, then we must be careful about what we are seeking.

As followers of Jesus, we should be seeking God and his strength and presence.

The chronicler wrote, “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV).

If you were completely satisfied, what else would you desire, need, or want? Is your life filled with contentment or striving? Are you satisfied in God?

The psalmist writes of his satisfaction in God, saying, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” (Psalm 16:5, ESV).

The psalmist is exclaiming his contentment and trust in God and his provision.

A later psalm asserts the psalmist’s trust in the provision of God, and his satisfaction in God, saying, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26, ESV).

Are you still growing in your knowledge of Jesus and in your relationship with him? Would you consider yourself fully mature in your relationship with Jesus?

As followers of Jesus we are students of God and his word. We are always growing in our knowledge of him and in our relationship with him. We are to immerse ourselves in the wisdom of God and in the knowledge of God to become fully mature in Him.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Colossae, saying, “God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:27-29, ESV).