Today is my amazing wife’s birthday, and I cannot think of a more fitting text on this day than Proverbs 31.

I think everyone who knows her would agree with me that she is an incredibly caring, faithful, loving, inspiring and disciplined lady. I am blessed to have her as my partner, and our children are blessed to have her as their mother.

Proverbs, 31:10-31 is a wonderful description that makes me think of her.

Verses 10-12
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Verses 28-31
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise

Happy Birthday Liz! We love you!

It’s also my brother’s birthday, Happy Birthday, Love you Matt!

Dear Lord, You have incredibly blessed our family through Liz’s faithful Christian life. She has been an amazing inspiration and example to us and everyone she encounters. Give her your blessing with strength, peace, and joy in her life. Bless Matt and his family on his birthday also, send peace and joy to their home. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is so uplifting to see people put their faith in God and overcome their afflictions, fears, challenges or use their faith to excel and do great things.

I can only imagine that this was how Jesus felt in the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8. Roman soldiers were not what people expected when thinking of followers of Jesus Christ, but Jesus showed how, no matter who one is, it is the faith that matters.

The soldier’s servant was paralyzed and suffering. When Jesus asked if the Centurion wanted Him to come and heal the servant. The Centurion said he knew all Jesus had to do was say so and his servant would be healed. Jesus, knowing the heart of the soldier, said in verse 10, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” and in verse 13, “Go, Let it be done just as you believed it would.” NIV

We don’t have to be great “church-people” to believe God can bring us out of miserable situations, overcome debilitating fears, or even give us success in our endeavors. We need to have the faith in God’s power and ability to do anything, and his love for us.

Dear Lord, help us have the faith in you to know without a doubt that you can do anything. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Is there someone and someplace that just makes you happy even thinking about. For example, walking on the beach with your spouse, playing games around the table with your children, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your friends, or even playing with your dog or cat. Just being around them brings you a feeling of joy.

In a similar way, Psalm 16:11 says about God, “… in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we can truly experience God’s presence in our lives, we can feel the peace and joy that He promises. In order to get closer to God’s presence, we do like James writes in 4:8 “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you.”

Dear Lord help us do those things that draw us closer to you, reading your word and putting it into practice, that we may experience the fullness of joy you promise. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Paul writes in Colossians 4:5,6, “Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone.” TLB

At first we might think that this text is referring only to our conversations with those who have not yet heard the “Good News,” but I think it is also applicable when speaking with others who have heard and have accepted Jesus. None of us have all the answers, and many of our Christian brothers and sisters may need to hear something that we have learned in the course of our Christian walk. So let us be wise, gracious and sensible in discussing the good news with everyone. We may have just the right answer to someone’s question.

Dear Lord, help us make the most of the opportunities you place in our paths to share the Good News of your love and salvation with others. Help us also remember to choose our words wisely, and be gracious and sensible to all; those who are missing your salvation, and those who are already in their walk with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many people we encounter daily are rather negative. It is so easy to think the negative things are the things to discuss; bad weather, traffic, our physical ailments, car trouble, etc. Not to minimize people’s problems, but even with our problems, we all have much to be happy and grateful for. We should try to be the person that turns the conversation to the positive things.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Paul writes to the believers there, “Always be joyful, Always keep praying, No matter what happens, be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” TLB I am sure the folks Paul was writing to had problems like we do. Arguably, their problems were more dire than we can imagine in the developed world of 2024.

Dear Lord, Help us remember Paul’s words, and be Joyful and Thankful. Joyful because we are saved and we know you will support us through our problems, and Thankful for this amazing gift. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.