If you have ever played the poker game, Texas Hold ’em, you’ve realized that the game is not so much about what cards you or your opponents have, it is more about being able to read the actions and body language of your opponents.

In a similar way, much of being a Christian is not about what is happening physically, It is about what is going on spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

I have heard this concept described, “The main battle is supernatural.” So the tools we need to defend ourselves and win this battle are spiritual.

Dear Lord, sometimes it is so apparent when we are being attacked spiritually, but sometimes it is subtle. Help us have the strength and faith to overcome those spiritual forces which try to destroy our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Today I just leave this with you to consider.

Psalm 8
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Praise the Lord. Amen.

There are many promises in the Bible. God promises to answer our prayers, to be with us, to protect us, and most importantly to save us for eternity. However, we do not always know exactly how he will fulfill the promises.

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many, at a time Abraham and his wife Sarah were unable to have children. Many years after this promise, when Abraham and Sarah were well past the age they could naturally have children, they had Isaac.

Hebrews 6:14-15 writes, [God said] “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

God has a plan for us, and timing to go with it. “Waiting patiently” as Abraham did, is often part of the plan God has for us. Part of being faithful is maintaining our faith and hope with patience while we wait. Often our prayers are answered when we finally relax and surrender to God’s timing.

Dear Lord, Your view of our situation is complete, and ours is limited. Help us remember that you care about us, our desires, and you hear our prayers. Help us be at peace with your timing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Courage is uncomfortable. It takes courage to step outside our comfortable, familiar activities and habits to do something good but difficult.

To become better at something, forgive someone, serve on a church committee, volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, go on a mission trip, or go against the peer pressure to criticize, and gossip, takes courage.

Sometimes we see a worthy objective, but we don’t want to accomplish it bad enough to endure the discomfort that comes with the courage of taking action. To act, we need enough courage to tip the balance toward action. In ways, courage is delicate.

We can affect each other in this process. When we discourage someone, we make it more difficult for them to take the action, but alternatively, when we encourage them we make it easier for them to go outside their comfort zone and accomplish something valuable.

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

This is one of the important reasons we attend worship services and fellowship with other Christians. We can encourage them, and they can encourage us to move the balance toward Christian action.

Dear Lord, help us remember the importance of encouraging each other to “acts of love and good works.” We may never know the power our simple encouragement may have on someone to do great things to your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It is easy to think that events in our life are mostly random. Simple things like, whether the traffic light stays green or turns red right before you get there, or more significant things like running into an old friend you haven’t seen in many years, narrowly avoiding an accident, and unfortunately, difficult and tragic events as well.

However, I believe that events are not random, there is an order and meaning for the events in our lives. In some cases, God is influencing events for us, in some cases, we are doing things that create positive or negative consequences for ourselves, and other cases we don’t know and will never know the reason. However, I believe there is a reason, and no matter what is occurring, God can and does influence each of our lives.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:29-31, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

When difficult and tragic events occur in our lives and those we love, it is hard to accept that God knows and allows these things, but we can take comfort in what Jesus says, “don’t be afraid” God cares about each of us and those we love.

Dear Lord, we thank you that our lives are not random, You have power over all things, and care about each of us. Give us peace in this knowledge, and help us put our cares and concerns in your hands. In Jesus name. Amen.