I heard someone pose this question once, and it really made me think.

What are you asking for that is impossible without God’s supernatural input?

In John’s familiar account of the feeding of the 5,000, John starts with, “Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Phillip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” John 6:6-7

In this case, Jesus was questioning whether Philip had put the pieces together yet. Did he realize Jesus’ power? How about us? Do we realize and really believe Jesus’ power to do miracles, cure diseases, solve financial problems, resolve conflicts, comfort those with tragedies?

Dear Lord, like Philip, we often have no idea the miracles you can and will do in our lives, families, churches, communities and country. Help us use the Bible’s accounts to strengthen our belief in you power, so that we will ask with confidence for your supernatural input in our lives and our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Throughout history, there have been people who have made incredible contributions to all of us. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Jonas Salk, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and many others. However, their contributions are insignificant compared to the actual creation of the universe.

Psalm 124:8 says, “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

The Psalm sounds so simple and understated, but God created all the intricacies of science and biology as well as the vastness and majesty of the universe, and the psalm says he is our “help.”

Do you think there is anything God cannot do?

Simple little verse tells us that the incredible power of the creator of everything is there for us.

Dear Lord, we cannot begin to comprehend your power. Help us remember you are there for us, which unlimited capability to do anything; and help us remember to ask for the help you promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Bible writes about angels in many places, and describes how they are here with us on earth, bring us messages, and intervene to protect us.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. ”

And in Psalm 91:11, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

We may never have an encounter with an angel, or not realize we did, but we know God sends them here to support and protect us. We may never know the things angels have done to influence events to protect us but we know that they can and do.

Dear Lord, the angels are another mystery you have left for us to consider, we thank you for the promise of sending them to protect us when we acknowledge you. What an assurance it is to know they are here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We use the word “good” often in our day to day speech. If we think about what it means, we realize that it needs a standard or measurement to have meaning. Most of the time, the person who says, “that is good” is the one who is setting the standard. For example if you hire someone to complete something, when you say, “it’s good,” then it is based on your standard.

Matthew 19:16-17, says, “Someone came to Jesus with the question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said, “There is only One who is good, But to answer your question, if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” In this story, the standard Jesus is describing for “good” is perfection; No minor deviations, or little mistakes, “perfection.”

Can anyone but God achieve perfection?

This leads us to why Christianity is not like any other religion. Other religions have their lists of actions and behaviors that must be performed in order to achieve the goal. In Christianity, there is nothing we can do to be saved.

God saves us.

Dear Lord, only you are “good.” What a joy it is to know that we don’t have to be good to be saved, we just have to accept the gift you offer us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.