Sometimes we all have one of those days, where things just seem to go against us. Usually they are things that may be important to our work, or accomplishing our goals, but in the big picture, these obstacles do not threaten our lives, our safety, or our loved ones, they are just frustrating.

Colossians 3:15, says, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

It is our wrong thinking that gets us into trouble. If we stop and look at all the things for which we have to be thankful, we can reset our thinking, and stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

Dear Lord, no matter what we are dealing with, we all have something for which to be thankful. Help us turn our thoughts to those things, and give thanks to you for these blessings. Your peace comes through this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you ever tried to stick to a diet? There are basically two alternatives for doing so, one is to have the sheer discipline to ignore cravings for those things you are not supposed to eat, the other is not to have those things in the house. It is definitely easier to avoid things when there are not around.

The same principle is true with avoiding sinful behavior. Avoiding the questionable movies and TV shows is easier than avoiding their influence while watching them, or skipping the gossip party is easier than trying not to participate once there. There are an unlimited number or potential examples.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ”

Christians are just as susceptible to temptation as non-Christians. By avoiding situations that test our resolve, however, we can set ourselves up for success rather than risking the failure of giving in to the temptation.

Dear Lord, help us think before putting ourselves in situations that subject us to temptation. When we cannot avoid the situation, give us the strength and discipline to overcome temptation. 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.

Sometimes we see an amazing scientific discovery, like mapping the human genome, or an amazing invention like the microprocessor, or people living in the space station, and we think man has pretty much figured things out.

Then we think about all the things we haven’t figured out, curing the common cold, cancer, what causes gravity, how do animals migrate, why do we sleep, why do we age, why are there earthquakes, or hurricanes, why are we here? and we realize how limited our knowledge really is. We have barely scratched the surface in understanding what God has created.

Romans 11:33-36 says, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”

Dear Lord, we cannot even begin to understand the vastness of your knowledge and power. You created everything, not just what we can sense, but the properties, powers, and interactions between it all. What a joy to know that we can come to you directly in prayer and praise, and that you care about each one of us individually. Why would we not live in awe and praise of you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you had the opportunity to work closely with a team to accomplish a common objective. It could have been with a sports team, an informal team of people at work or church, a startup team for a new business, a band, a military unit, or overcoming a challenging time with your family as a team. There is something particularly fulfilling, hopeful and uniting in these occasions. Often, the more difficult the challenge, the more powerful the experience is for us.

Paul writes about this to the Church in Philippi, in Philippians 2:1-2, saying “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

It is that working together with “one mind and purpose” that makes all the difference. How much more fulfilling it will be for us when that purpose is God’s work, in our family, church, community, or friendships.

Dear Lord you made us and you put this trait into each of us, that when we join together in a team with trust and respect for each other and take on a challenge, your love is shown through us and builds bonds between us, making us even more capable of doing your will. Give us all the opportunity to experience this, and use it in your work. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.