Often in life things occur that we cannot understand; Times when there are terrible tragedies that affect thousands of people, and times when something unexplainable happens to one person. Even as faithful Christians we wonder how these events could be something God intended.

There are all also vast and fundamental questions that remain unanswered about our universe and our physical beings.

Ecclesiastes 8:17 says, “Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.”

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

In the years people have been around, we have discovered many things about God’s creation, but when we stop and think about the huge gaps in our knowledge we can only step back an be in awe of God. How can we not believe in God? And once believing in God, the good news of salvation through Jesus is rational.

Dear Lord, our minds can barely begin to understand your power, wisdom and glory, and how humbled we should be, knowing that you care for us enough to save us. Help us find the peace and joy in knowing this and also fear and respect Your power and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers reading this message. I wish you God’s Blessings of Peace and Joy!

My three brothers and I are incredibly blessed to have a caring, faith filled, wise Christian mother who raised us with love and understanding. She is also loved very much by our wives as their mother too. She lives her life as a wonderful example of faith and service for our whole family.

Happy Mother’s Day also to my wife Liz! You are a tremendous Christian woman that is an inspiration to our family! Like your mother, you are a gracious, kind, and strong woman of faith, for all of us to admire and model.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:3 about the honored position mothers have, and the promise God has for those who honor them, writing, “If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Today, let us all remind ourselves to follow Solomon’s words from Proverbs 23:25. “So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.”

Dear Lord, help us realize and appreciate the beautiful way you built life for us, with a loving mother to bring us into this world. Help us all honor our mother’s with the lives we live, so that we can bring them happiness and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Great we think, “Faith is confidence in something we want, but don’t see how it can happen.” That doesn’t help us if we don’t know the answer to the question, “How do we get faith?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:17, He answer’s that question, writing, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Do you want faith? Read God’s word and hear it preached.

Dear Lord, You lead us to the answers in the Bible. Help us overcome our resistance to read and hear your word preached, so that we might have the faith in what we hope for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You have probably noticed how people who have succeeded in a particular activity are very popular with others who are working toward success in that field. Pro athletes put on training programs for young aspiring athletes. Successful entrepreneurs and authors have seminars explaining their techniques for others to learn.

In a similar way, Hebrews 2:18 says about Jesus, “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have the best in your field sitting next to you every day, mentoring you, and helping you succeed?

That is essentially what we have in Jesus. He experienced the most difficult life as a human can give, and overcame. He is there by our side to help us with our challenges.

Dear Lord, You came to earth and were truly human, with the challenges that come along, so you know all that we experience. Help us overcome our temptations, challenges, and struggles, and be the best examples and messengers for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul lists many examples of people in Bible history, such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Rahab, and others who acted “by faith” in God’s promises to accomplish difficult, embarrassing, frightening, life threatening, and even life ending assignments they knew God was calling them to pursue.

In Hebrews 12:1 Paul writes, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

One of the great things about sports teams and clubs with common interests is that the members become examples for each other to excel and overcome obstacles. I think what Paul is telling us with the description of “a crowd of witnesses” is that we have “a team” for us to use as examples to help us excel in our faith. We should read about and meditate on the stories of these people to see how they acted in faith, and God kept his promises to support them in their callings.

Dear Lord, thank you for these examples of faithful witnesses on who’s stories we can rely for confidence in you. Help us use this confidence to faithfully pursue those things to which you are calling us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.