It is amazing occasionally to think about the history of Christianity. Through the years many have tried to stamp it out, from the Jewish leaders, Greek, Roman and Ottoman Empires, the Communists, and many others. Today from many other directions Christianity is being attacked. But from the original 12 disciples who followed Jesus, Christianity has grown to over 2 billion people; the largest religion in the world.

We know that those opposing Jesus will never succeed, as Isaiah prophesied and Peter repeated in 1 Peter 1:24,25, “..the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Until the Lord returns, we know that God’s word will endure.

Dear Lord, thank you for growing your church throughout the world. Help us be a part of spreading your good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a concept in the art of selling, that selling the benefit works better than selling the product. Theodore Levitt a Harvard Business School Marketing Professor is known for a quote which goes, “People don’t want to buy a quarter inch drill. They want a quarter inch hole.”

What does this have to do with Christianity?

Well, Paul writes in Romans 15:2, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” In my words, we need to help people become more faithful and active Christians.

This means we need to help them choose to do the things that strengthen their faith in Jesus, and their connection and walk with God; prayer, worship, study, faith, hope, love, and service. To do this we should take a lesson from the sales and marketing world, and show them the benefit in terms of peace, joy, and hope that a faithful and active Christian life offers.

Dear Lord, we are your messengers here on earth, give us the motivation and initiative to help build up others faith, inviting them to worship and bible study, following your lessons and demonstrating the joyful Christian life through our own lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the key principles of success is knowing what you are trying to accomplish. Whether it is getting an A on a test, achieving a sales goal, or winning a sporting event, starting with an objective is part of the process.

In some ways this is how God expects us to approach Him. In Matthew 8:13 Jesus tells the Centurion, “let it be done as you have believed,” and in Matthew 9:28 Jesus’ asks the blind man if he believes Jesus can make him see, before he heals him.

There are a number of instances like this in the Bible, with God teaching us that we should be ready to receive.
Psalm 81:10 says, “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.”

It is quite clear to me from these and other texts, that our part in receiving from God is believing he has the power to provide us anything we can imagine, if he chooses. If we don’t believe He can, we are not doing our part.

Dear Lord, You have control over all things. Help us remember your awesome power, and not let our lack of belief limit Your work in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever said, or heard someone say, “who’s going to know?” just before doing something they would be embarrassed to have their friends or family see.

We have to realize that the most important evaluator of each of us sees everything we do. In Hebrews 4:13 Paul writes, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

I heard some good advice somewhere along the way. “Don’t do anything that you aren’t prepared to have printed on the front page of the newspaper.” In a way everything we do is on the front page of God’s newspaper. We would be better off if we thought about that regularly.

Dear Lord, we cannot keep anything from you. There is no hiding, rationalizing, or making excuses. You know what we have done, and our motives for doing it. Help us remember you are watching. We have no chance of meeting your standard of perfection, but if we confess and repent, Jesus’ perfection stands in our place. What an incredible gift. Help us go forward striving to do better. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have come to believe that most of the time that I get angry or irritated, it is because I am caving-in to temptation. Some event happens, and it is almost like someone is placing thoughts in my mind trying to get me to lose control and criticize, argue, or get angry.

When I have enough self-control to stop and analyze my own thoughts, I realize what is happening, and try to remember to say a quick prayer asking for help overcoming this temptation. It is almost like catching the “Temptor” in the act of manipulating me and beating him at the game.

James 4:7 says, “.. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

To be honest, sometimes when I realize that I am being tempted to go down the wrong path, I will “tell off” the devil, under my breath. I am not sure if that does any good, but understanding and asking for God’s help definitely does.

Dear Lord, It is clear from your word in the Bible, that we are being tempted and manipulated regularly. Help us recognize and resist this temptation and trust that with You we can overcome any temptation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.