On a recent hike in the northeast, I found myself in a forest of stepping stones and also enormous boulders that filled the trail.

Thus far this was the most difficult hike I’ve ever accomplished. Challenged and weary, I finished the hike within 12 hours; a hike that should have only taken 8 hours.

I give God the credit of pushing me and helping me move my feet when I wanted to give up and turn around.

Even though I had read about the boulders and challenging trails, I felt confident enough to try anyway. Had I really known the boulders would be that large, and the mountain wall of boulders stretched for a mile, I may not have even tried the hike.

This made me think of my Christian walk. Am I a stepping stone to others, or am I a stumbling block, hindering others from their walk with God?

I pray that I am that stepping stone. I hope that my friends are encouraged by me, and strangers are intrigued and curious about the God I serve.

Are you serving others, encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you telling the lost about Jesus and how He fills your life with hope?

Aim to be a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.

Matthew 3:8 - “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

I hadn’t had my driver’s license for more than a year, but was comfortable driving on my own. I had a 5-speed truck and was finally confident to drive. My niece, Teresa was with me one day while we were cruising around our little town of Kermit.

Kermit was laid out with a train track splitting the town in the middle from end to end.

This particular day, I drove toward the railroad crossing to get to the other side of town. I had drove the course several times, although this was the first with the 5-speed.

I heard the train, but the gate arm hadn’t came down yet, so I thought I would have enough time to cross the track.

Just as I pulled onto the track, the truck died. I panicked. I kept trying to start it, but it was not in neutral so I kept killing the engine. I was just about ready to have me and my niece bolt from the truck, when the engine started. Hallelujah!

God spared our lives that day and I learned a valuable lesson. Pay attention to warning signs (sound of the train). Obey the law and wait for the train to pass.

As a Christian, we have warning signs all the time. It may be a new diagnosis, a wayward child, or a failing relationship.

My advice is to seek God in everything.

Commit to your relationship with God, so when danger approaches, you’re ready to take action and get out of harm’s way.

Don’t ignore the oncoming trains of life.

Hebrews 2:1-3 - “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”

Matthew 5:13 - “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

I’m a fairly good cook, and baking is one of my favorite hobbies. Any baker knows that in baking if you put the wrong ingredients into the mix, you’ll usually end up with results that can’t be eaten.

Once when I was baking, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was putting in my banana bread recipe and put in salt, instead of sugar. Well, you can imagine what that tasted like.

Salt has its purpose. It is typically used to season savory foods or to balance out baked goods.

But, what happens when salt loses its flavor? Well, it’s not really good for anything.

As a Christian, we are to be that one ingredient in every day life that makes a difference. We should be visible and mixed in with society, so that others can see a difference, and wonder why we’re so different than most.

If salt loses its taste, it can’t be restored. It has to be thrown out.

Don’t let your light burn out; don’t let your testimony go stale.

Be a witness to everyone in your path today.

Spice up the journey; show others the love of Christ today.

Some people can be real convincing when it comes to their beliefs, to the point you may be questioning your own.

Jesus warned us about people claiming one thing and professing another. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As I grew into my early teenage years, I was one of those girls who wanted to be liked, so I would go along with the crowd, just to fit in. This got me in a lot of trouble. Anyone could talk me into anything. I was naive and gullible.

By the grace of God, He plucked me out of this dead-end road and saved me at the age of sixteen.

I was convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that God saved my life. The problem was, I was just a baby in my faith. I struggled in living this new life. A few seasoned Christians tried encouraging me, but I lacked the confidence I needed in this new role in life.

And just as a toddler can be convinced to try something new, Satan can find a weak link in your faith and step right in. He will convince you that the sin is not that bad; everyone’s doing it.

Don’t fall for Satan’s schemes. Don’t be wishy/washy in your faith.

Stay committed to serving Christ, learning more about Him through His word and ask for help when things get out of control.

Ephesians 4:14 - “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Commitment is defined as the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

Commitment is a part of every day life. You’re committed to a job, kids, spouse, etc.

When you surrender and give your life to Christ, you become committed, dedicated to a life different than what you had before.

Once you accept the gift of eternal life, you want to do things pleasing to God. You have new desires, such as reading the Bible and serving others.

Just as you do in any new relationship, you want to learn more about the other person.

God already knows your heart so you can’t fake it with Him.

As it says in the scripture above, when you’re committed to Christ, He will make a way in your journey. He will get you further than you could on your own.

Commit to Christ today.

You’ll be glad you did.

Have you noticed that nothing’s free in life? Well, there is one free gift I’ll talk about later, but as far as material possessions, status or position, nothing comes without a cost.

So it is with opportunities. If you’re a Christian, you know that even if opposition comes with opportunity, God is in the midst, to comfort and guide us.

We all long for peace and God does promise peace, but He does not promise that there won’t be difficulties or obstacles along the way to greater opportunities.

It’s easy to follow Jesus when life is full of open doors and exciting opportunities. It’s when things don’t go as we expect that we tend to doubt God cares or is really in control.

Trust God, always. We will face disappointment and loss, hostility and heartache. It’s during these times that God uses the difficult circumstances to drive us closer to His promises and our desires.

God will never let you down. If the opportunity seems unreachable, understand that it’s all in God’s timing.

Look for opportunities and be ready for opposition.

Colossians 4:5-6 - “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Starting on a new project can be daunting.

In the past, I have been known to restore furniture.  I love it when it’s completed and I can see the finished look.

What motivates you to get up each day?  Are you looking forward to your future?

If you’re a Christian, then you already have the motivation you need; a home in heaven.

After you give your life to Christ, He starts a new work in you.  He cleans up the old life and reveals to you the new blessings ahead you can experience.

If you don’t know what lies ahead, ask God.  Tell Him your desires and He promises that if it’s in line with His will for you, that it will come to pass.

Don’t give up when it gets difficult.  Most projects take time and care.

Eagerly expect in Christ’s return. In that day you will be complete; a completed person in Christ.

Paul wrote in Philippians that he was torn with the desire to depart this life to be with Christ, but knowing the necessity of preaching the gospel to the lost.

As I await Christ’s arrival, I can lavish in His love for me, until He completes me.

Philippians 1:6 - “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Black lights were the thing in my era. I would buy posters and put them on the wall, and when I turned on the blacklight, the picture lit up.

Then came the ‘glow in the dark’ bracelets, lights and other toys.

The purpose of these glow in the dark objects was to change the perception of the room; to bring light or contrast to the area.

As Christians, we should be the light in this dark world. Our presence should be uplifting when we walk into a room.

A smile, a song, or small words of encouragement can do more in one moment to those who are hurting or lonely.

Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Just as we light a candle to bring light to a dark room, bring joy and laughter to those hurting today.

When people ask you how can you be so happy and peaceful in this depressing evil and angry society, tell them the story of how Jesus came to you when you had nothing left, or no one to turn to.

Before you can be a light to others, take a look at your own life. Ask God to reveal any sins you’ve been ignoring; ask Him for help in forgiving others and for help in changing your heart.

Be the light.