Where in your life do you need to take a leap of faith? What is the trouble in your life? What is the ailment from which you suffer, for which you need to take a leap of faith?

Ask yourself, “What would I rather be accomplishing with my life? How would I like to be remembered? What kind of legacy would I like to leave behind after I go?” What do I want to stand for, such that I’m willing to make a commitment and follow through?

Who has wronged you? What is the first name that comes to mind when I ask you that question? Perhaps you immediately think of a friend, or someone in your family. How did you respond? I could probably guess, because I believe people often choose from only three basic responses: fight, flight, or gossip.

What can you and I take away from Joseph of Arimathea’s story that will make a difference in our lives now? We can learn much from the classic leadership dilemma that he faced: “How can I best use my influence and power in this situation?”

Verses 16 and l7 of John 14 inspire me: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” This is great news. If God has indeed sent us the Spirit of Truth as a helper, how can we make sure we can hear him?

In Luke 11:1-13 Jesus uses two metaphors to teach us how to pray, and to promise us that God will answer our prayers. Firstly, Jesus compares prayer to persistently knocking on a friend’s door until he gives you what you want. Secondly, Jesus compares God’s generosity in prayer to our kindness in giving our kids what they ask for.

How many of us during our time on earth are actually living the plan that God has for us? In fact, how many of us are working on any kind of plan at all, while we are here on earth?