There is a concept in Mathematics called a Proof. A Proof is a step by step demonstration that a formula is actually true. A teacher or professor would ask a student something like, “Prove that the area of a rectangle is its length multiplied by its height,” and the student would explain the steps that show this formula is true.

In Matthew 3:8 John the Baptist tells the Pharasees, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”

If he asked us, could we “prove,” by our behavior, that we have repented, turned from our sinfulness and worked at doing God’s will?

Dear Lord, You know our every thought and action, and know whether we are truly repentant. Give us the strength and will to turn from, and resist, our sinful desires and actions, so that our lives “prove” our repentance. in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you ever wonder how people who have been victims of terrible crimes can forgive those who committed those crimes? We know that the Bible tells us we should forgive, but in some cases it seems almost impossible.

Proverbs 10:12 says, “..love covers all wrongs.” and in 1 John 4:8, John writes, “…God is love.” It is God’s love working through us that allows us to forgive those who seem un-forgivable, and to overcome those seemingly impossible conflicts we encounter.

Dear Lord, It was ultimately your love for us that covered our wrongs through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Help us draw on your love to overcome conflicts in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is a scene in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indiana Jones is standing on the edge of a gorge. He, is looking at a diagram in an ancient book that indicates a bridge should be there, but there is no bridge. After studying the ancient document, he believes he has it figured out that the only way to find the bridge is to step into the abyss, and the bridge will appear. Without seeing, he must act, and he does.

Paul writes in Hebrews 11:1, “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” TLB

In the same way, Jesus’ teachings in the Bible are our ancient map, and in order to see the support God promises us is to step forward in faith.

Dear Lord, it is very difficult for us to take that first step of faith that we know you want us to take, whether, volunteering in our church, inviting a friend to worship, witnessing to someone in need, or putting our tithe in the offering plate, we all have a step we could be taking. Give us the courage to take the step and experience the joy of trusting you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is an interesting cycle of events that is described in the Old Testament after the tribes of Israel establish themselves in the “Promised Land.” The people follow God and his direction and the kingdom prospers, then they fall away into worshiping idols and they are destroyed by foreign kingdoms. Somewhere along the way they rediscover God’s direction and they return to prosperity. The cycle repeats several times.

Even subsequent to Bible times we see the Roman Empire accept Christianity, then fall away into idol worshiping and the Empire falls.

Psalm 2:1-5 describes the process. The Living Bible translates it like this, “What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King. “Come, let us break his chains,” they say, “and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.” But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans. And then in fierce fury he rebukes them and fills them with fear.”

After hundreds of years of belief and reverence for Biblical faith and morals in Europe and the United States, the Psalms’ words about nations wanting to “free themselves from all this slavery to God” sounds like a comment we might hear someone say today. Let us pray that we can turn the direction back before we see the “fierce fury” of God.

Dear Lord, You gave us free will and unfortunately many people give into temptation and turn away from you. Help us have courage to influence the people around us to return to your direction, for our own good and your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I am sure you have seen professional athletes after completing an amazing, or very difficult goal, basket, touchdown or other play, stop and point to the sky, pointing to God. They may not know it, but they are expressing this Latin phrase, Soli Deo Goria which means To God Alone the Glory.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This is truly our mission here on earth, to glorify God. He has given us all skills talents and situations to allow us to do this in our own way. We can do it by sharing Gods love with the poor in the soup kitchen line, or we can do it on national television using amazing athletic skills God gave a few. We should remember it is not how amazing we are, it is how amazing God is.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that all we have came from You, and remember to give you the glory for the great things we can do and the great things we have. In Jesus’ name we pray. Soli Deo Gloria! Amen.