In Matthew 18:4-6 Jesus says, “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

In verse 10 Jesus says, “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”

“Their angels” He says. As one of the Bible verses supporting the belief that people have guardian angels, this verse gives an awesome and comforting vision that there are angels standing in God’s presence responsible for helping individual believers.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance provided in this passage that you care for us, and assign your angels to look out for us. Help this give us the comfort and confidence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul says in Romans 15:13, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I think this verse supports a view I have which is that hope helps strengthen our faith and our faith is demonstrated through expectation.

Think of a time where things felt hopeless. At that point it was very difficult to have faith in a positive outcome, and without faith it is much more likely we expect a negative result.

In contrast, when we have hope we can build our faith on that hope, and expect a positive result.

This is very true about hope, faith, and expectation of salvation, but I believe it is also true in the practical parts of our lives. When we can truly feel hopeful that a difficult issue will be resolved, our faith in God’s work in our lives grows and we expect a positive result. As Paul writes, God is that source of hope that sparks our faith which we demonstrate with the “confident hope” and expectation.

Dear Lord, thank you for being the source of hope so that we can live our lives with joy and peace trusting in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you noticed how much your “state of mind” affects what you think about events, your expectations, and how you treat others. For instance, if things are going well for, you may tend to have a positive “state of mind,” have positive expectations, and tend to be upbeat and positive with other people. When you are in a negative “state,” just the opposite tends to occur.

I would argue that we can control our “state of mind” by taking control of our thoughts. For example, our state of mind can quickly change when something tragic, or something fantastic occurs in our lives. So if some external event can change our thoughts, our own conscious choice to change our thoughts can do the same.

Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

I use two steps to try to get myself into the right state of mind when events are dragging me down. I first look at all the things for which I have to be thankful, and they are many. It is nearly impossible to be in a bad state when we are truly thankful. Then I pray and put my trust in God to lead me through my challenges.

The Bible tells us these things in many places. Here are a few to lean on.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

“Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Lord, Help us take control of our “state of mind” with thankful hearts and confidence in your unlimited power to overcome any challenge we face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all have hopes dreams, and desires that we would like to achieve. It is good to have aspirations and goals. God knows what they are and will help us achieve them. Psalm 37:4 says, “delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Part of getting what we want, however, is being thankful for what we have. I think of it as, ” be thankful for what you have while you pursue what you want.”

Paul writes in Philippians 4:12,13, ” I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” TLB

No matter where we are on the economic ladder, we all have something for which to be thankful, so let us thank God first then ask for what we want.

Thank you Lord for all that we have. Help us be content while we pursue our dreams. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sometimes the whole process of witnessing and explaining Salvation gets complicated by long sermons, books, and discussions, but Peter makes it clear in Acts 2 speaking to a crowd who gathered after the disciples received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The crowd asks, what are we to do? In Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

We often use the expression “blocking and tackling” to describe the basics of an activity. What Peter is describing is the “blocking and tackling” of Christianity, that we all need to practice; repent of our sins, turn to God, and trust in Jesus Christ for our forgiveness.

Dear Lord, your plan is an amazing mystery in many ways that we cannot understand, but at the same time it is simple when we focus on the basics. Help us follow the basics, and send us your Spirit so that we may become closer to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.