There is an old saying we have all heard that goes, “we cannot see the forest for the trees,” meaning we are so wrapped up in all the details (the trees) that we cannot see the bigger situation (the forest) which is the important part.

In Jesus’ time, the Jewish leaders were regularly attempting to trick Jesus into breaking the old Jewish laws. They would use all the technical rules in the Old Testament to demonstrate their own superiority, and critique Jesus’ activities. They were too wrapped up in the details of their rules to see the important point of the rules.

Jesus tells them in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”

I think we can fall into this trap as well. We can get so tied up in how we need to act, and what rules we need to follow in order to be “good enough” for God, that we miss the big picture. The big picture is God gave us Jesus, and Jesus did all the detail work for us.

Dear Lord, Amidst all our religious activities, help us remember not to miss the important part which is Jesus and what he did for us. In His name we pray. Amen.

James 3:1-12 writes about the power of our words for good and evil.

James wrote in James 3:4-6 “And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire.”

There are many ways we can misuse the power of our words. One is sarcasm. We often think when we use sarcasm, “it is harmless, he/she knows I am kidding.” However when we stop and think about what sarcasm is, “The use of irony to mock or convey contempt. Synonyms including ridicule, and scorn.” Would we every chose to mock or ridicule those we love most and who are most influenced by what we say?

On the other hand, the amazing power we have for good in what we say can change those peoples’ lives. Let us use this power to strengthen, encourage, and uplift those we love.

Dear Lord, Help us remember the powerful effect of our words on those we love and who love us. Give us the wisdom to use this power for their benefit. Inspire us with words they will remember for strength, hope, and peace in their lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

I read about an academic study that was performed to measure in the role of positive versus negative comments on a business team’s performance. The results showed that the highest performing teams had almost 6 times as many positive comments as negative.

God works in a similar way in our lives. Psalm 30:5 says, “His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime.”

We know God disciplines those that he loves, Paul writes in Hebrews 12:6, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

But as the Psalm says, God shows favor on his faithful people for a lifetime.

We all can learn from this in how we approach our families, our colleagues, and congregations. Use a small amount of criticism and a healthy amount of praise. Try 6 positive comments for every one negative comment and see how things go.

Dear Lord, everything we discover about ourselves is no surprise to you, because you made us this way. Help us learn from the discipline you give us and praise you for the favor you show us. Help us also be the positive influence on our “teams.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it said that events do not have meaning until we give them meaning. People can look at the same facts and draw different meanings from them.

Fear is one meaning we can give to the facts that we see or experience. Fear is one of the primary tools, our enemy, the Devil, uses to separate us from God. He uses fear in order to put us in a state of unease and anxiety, rather than the state peace and confidence that we can have with faith in God.

Faith is the antidote for, and weapon against fear.

Mark 4 tells the account of Jesus calming the storm when he and the disciples were on a boat. The disciples feared for their lives, but Jesus said in Mark 4:40, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

And David told us in the well known Psalm 23 verse 4, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Dear Lord, give us the faith in you that overcomes fear, worry, and anxiety. Help us truly believe that no matter what we face, you control all outcomes and we can be peaceful and confident in your power under all circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.