The bible often writes about how as humans we are “slaves to sin.” Without the salvation we have from Jesus, we cannot overcome the influence of temptation in our lives.

Peter writes something interesting in 1 Peter 4:1,2 about how we can overcome sin in our lives. In the Living Bible translation he writes, “Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires but will be anxious to do the will of God.”

I think what he means when he says to have the “same attitude as Christ,” is that no matter how difficult it will be to overcome the desire to do the wrong thing, which is what he means by “be ready to suffer”; Once we overcome, then that desire no longer has power over us. It is like a starving person being manipulated by someone who offers him food, but someone with a full stomach cannot be manipulated this way.

Dear Lord, Thank you for saving us from our slavery to sinful desires. Help us have the will power to “suffer” denying our sinful wants so that we can remove that temptation’s power over us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever wonder why some days, everything seems to go wrong. Flat tire, leaky fawcet, late for school or work, forgot your purse or phone, mean comment by a coworker or boss. These challenges may be coincidence, but Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

These bad experiences may be caused by forces that are not obvious, and that are trying to break your spirit and separate you from God.

How do we overcome these forces. Paul continues in Ephesians 6:14 with the description of the armor of God. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

When the bad days come, remember to defend yourself with the shield of Faith in Jesus our Saviour and protector, and fight back with the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible, the “sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God.

Dear Lord help us remember that you have power over all things, and that your power is there for us, to protect us from the evil that tries to separate us from your Love and Salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We know that we are saved by the grace of God, nothing we do or have done saves us. It is purely a gift.

In addition however, God is always watching us and everything we do is recorded. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.”

And Malachi the prophet wrote that God keeps a “Scroll of Remembrance,” tracking when we honor him. He will treat those that honor him differently. Malachi 3:16-18 says, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Dear Lord, you provide us all we have, most importantly our salvation. We should honor and put you first in our hearts and minds always, but we do not. Give us strength to avoid the temptation to neglect our focus on you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Most people have heard Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” and most, if asked, would probably agree that it is easier said than done.

Why?

I think the answer is because it is difficult to take our focus off of the things that are worrying us and focus on those things that are pleasant and make us happy.

Similarly, in Luke 8:50, Jesus tells a man who was just told that his daughter died, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” This may seem also like an impossible suggestion. How could someone in his situation not be afraid?

The key is to change the focus from the thing that scares us, to Jesus, in whom we have faith.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares on Him, for he cares for you.”

As difficult as it may be for us to overpower those fearful thoughts, If we think about the fact that God, the immeasurably powerful force that created everything, cares about us individually, and personally, we can displace our fears with faith. God has our concerns completely under control, we do not need to fear.

Dear Lord, You tell us many times in Bible accounts that our faith effects events. Help us truly believe in your power and hand over our concerns and fears to you, with faith that you will work them out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 103 is a great text to read and think about to remind us to “count our blessings” It starts out, “Let all that I am praise the Lord, with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The chapter continues on with more great reasons to praise the Lord.

I have found that having and adding regularly to what I call a “gratitude list” is a great way to remember the good things God has given us, and keep a positive attitude. Here are some items from my list:

Salvation and the peace it brings
Prayer
Bible
Beautiful Healthy Christian Family
My Health
Born in America
Religious freedom
Democracy, Market Economy
Schools and teachers who care
Smart innovative people who solve our problems with new products
Soldiers committed to defending us and our way of life.
Police and Firemen/women
Church and church family
Relative Peace in the world and security in neighborhood
Beauty of Nature
Modern medicine
Good Friends

In the developed world of 2026 we have so much for which to be grateful. Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord, Praise and thanks to you for all you provide to us. We are incredibly blessed by your love. Help us learn to share that love with others so that we may be a blessing to them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.