It is great to pray for little things, and have an ongoing conversation with God throughout our day. Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray continually.” We can ask for God to help us do well on a test, or close an important sale, or have a good report from a doctor visit. These are all fine to ask for, but those things could happen with or without God’s help.

However, how often do we ask for really significant things that cannot happen without God’s intervention? Things like unexpected funds for your church to make needed improvements, healing of a chronic medical condition, or straightening up of a wayward relative or friend. In John 14:13-14 Jesus says, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” If we truly believe in God’s power, and believe that what we want will bring Glory to God, we should be asking for things that are impossible without God’s supernatural input.

Dear Lord, Help us also remember that you are God and there are no limits to your capabilities. Help us also remember your promise to do whatever we ask so that it brings glory to God. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

“All In”

It is an expression used in gambling, when a player is so confident in his or her position, that he or she puts everything at risk. Win and the payoff is the maximum possible, lose and be wiped out.

Jesus says in Luke 14:26, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else: your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes even your own life; otherwise you cannot be my disciple.” NLT

In modern terms, Jesus says we must be “all in” if we want to follow him.

The first commandment God gave us through Moses in Exodus 20:3, “You must have no other gods but me.”

We must put all our hope, trust, confidence, and reverence in God. When we do He says in verse 6, “I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commandments.”

Dear Lord, how difficult it seems, but what peace it brings to be “all in” with you. Help us do so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of British Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s three adages was, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” It is an interesting observation. I imagine a jet aircraft, cell phone, or microwave would look like magic to someone 100 years ago. I am sure in our lifetimes we will be amazed at technologies that are developed that will appear like magic to us.

What a fantastic time and opportunity God has created for us, and though it may be uncertain and possibly frightening, we do not have to fear, because we know as God tells us in John 1:1,3 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…..All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

God created it all, and is master of all, we have nothing to fear when we trust in Him.

I get a chuckle from this story that you may also have heard;
Scientists decided that they had developed the technology to make living creatures from just the basic elements in dirt, so they told God they didn’t need him anymore and challenged God to a contest; Who could make life from dirt. God agreed to the challenge. As the Scientists reached down to pick up some dirt, God said, “wait a moment, create your own dirt”

Dear Lord, When we stop and look at the magnificence of nature around us, and within our bodies and minds, we cannot but be in awe of you. Help us not fear the amazing things you have given us,, or the abilities to develop new concepts and technologies, but use them for the good of each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today was a beautiful day where I live; A great day for a run, walk, ride or other workout. Most of us have considered diet plans, workout plans, and vitamins at some point in our lives, Why do we do these things? To look better, to feel better, to live longer? All of which are good reasons.

One other reason we should include is written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where he writes, “Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.” TLB

So when we are thinking about what we do with our bodies, we should remember that our body is God’s body, and we should treat it with that in mind.

Dear Lord, thank you that we live in a time where we have so much opportunity to keep our bodies fit and healthy. Help use to use our bodies in ways that bring honor and glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you noticed that sometimes when we are facing a difficult decision something occurs that makes it very clear how God wants us decide. A comment in the sermon on Sunday, a simple verse you come across in the bible. Often, however, it is not clear to us what God’s wants is to do. Try asking for a sign.

In Genesis 24 the bible tells the story of Abraham’s servant who was sent to find a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. The servant had no idea how to determine which woman to approach, so he prayed for a sign. First he asked God for success in his task, then he asked that the right woman would answer his request for water from the well, and offer water for his camels. God gave him the sign and success, and Rebekah was found and became Isaac’s wife.

We should take a lesson from this story, and use prayer and our relationship with God and ask for signs that help us successfully do His will.

Dear Lord, like Abraham’s servant, we pray for success in our tasks and signs to help us know your will for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.