Defining love is difficult. It is emotion, action, thought, feeling all rolled together and prioritized above everything. True love like that of a parent for a child will stop at nothing to protect and care for the other.

This is what is so powerful about the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39. he says, ” for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So with these words from Paul inspired by God, we can know without doubt that God will stop at nothing to protect and care for us.

Dear Lord, help us truly believe and trust in Your love for us so that we may do your will with faith and not fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

We have probably all known someone, or have seen someone on television or the internet who defends behaviors that are immoral and self destructive, and the people are vehemently opposed to Christianity morality, and religion in general. This is not new to our modern times, it was written about thousands of years ago in the Bible.

Proverbs 19:3 says, “A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”

The challenge for us is knowing how we respond to a person like this. Arguing is not the solution, but the Bible gives some guidance.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And Peter says in, 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Dear Lord, Help us live lives that glorify you and result in people asking us why we have a unique hope; Hope in You. When they do, help us to be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the significant things about God coming to earth as a man in Jesus Christ, is that he experienced all the same temptations we face as people on earth. As a result, we can know that he understands what we are experiencing when we try to overcome the temptations of life. Jesus was tempted to take the easy way rather than the right way, just like we are.

Paul writes in Hebrews 4:15,16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Because Jesus experienced the same temptations we do, he knows what we need to overcome. Paul tells us to ask with confidence for the strength and tools to overcome these temptations.

Dear Lord, Just one of the amazing facets of your plan we see in Jesus’ ability to empathize with our struggles on earth. Help us remember to come confidently to you for help in staying on the narrow path that leads to salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”

The direction in this verse is pretty clear, that if we give, we will receive. However, I think the second sentence has a deeper message. “For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” Some translations write “by the same standard of measure…” This part of the message is not necessarily about how much we give, but the “standard of measure” we have in giving. I think this means the mindset or attitude that we have in giving. If we give reluctantly, worried about what is being done with “our” gifts, or concerned that we cannot afford to give, we can expect to receive by this standard.

But if we give generously, with the confidence that God always provides, we will receive with the same “standard of measure.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Dear Lord, you provide all we have, and can give us much more, at your will. Help us remember then to give with a generous measure and you will allways give us everything we need and plenty left over. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.