You have probably heard someone say, or may have said yourself, “Thanks in advance,” when asking someone for something that you know they can and will do.

I believe that one of the pieces to a truly joyful and peaceful life is having a thankful perspective. It is nearly impossible to be negative, angry, and bitter when we are approaching life with thankfulness.

Taking the thankful perspective to another level, is not only being thankful for the blessings we have today, it is being thankful for the futures God has established for us. It is an expression of trust and faith in Him.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Dear Lord, We thank you that you have truly blessed us with salvation through Jesus Christ. We thank you also that you answer our prayers so we need not worry. We can thank you in advance, because we know you have us in your care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the discussions I occasionally have with other Christians, and you may too, is, What to do when you see someone begging on the street corner.

There is no question that a person that has come to the point of begging on a street corner needs help. But what kind of help? Are they just trying to get money to buy drugs or alcohol? Are they actually homeless? Is there really any way to know in the short time we may be sitting at the traffic light? It is so easy to judge the person by looking at the new tennis shoes rather than looking at their despair.

There are lots of good ideas, like making care packs with useful items along with notes showing locations of shelters, soup kitchens, and churches, or grabbing an extra burger at the drive through and taking it back, or giving them the leftovers you are bringing home from a dinner out.

What does the Bible say? First, Jesus says “You will always have the poor among you.” so we will always have this mission. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you!” and Proverbs 21:2 “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”

Paul says in Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” and Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

My takeaway is that we need to look at these people with love and compassion and do what we feel the Spirit is guiding us to do. Whether that is a smile and wave, an encouraging comment, a tract, bible, care pack, five bucks, burger, or stopping and learning about their situation, I think what is in our hearts and what we do about it is what matters. And always say a prayer for guidance and for God to help that person.

Dear lord, help us remember that all people are our neighbors and need your love through our love. Give us the wisdom and guidance to find the way to show your love to those in despair so that we may help bring them to you and ease their suffering. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul Writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Stay away from every form of evil.”

It is so much easier to do the right thing when we are not exposed to the temptations that pull us away. Is it easier to control our cursing and swearing if we avoid people who regularly curse and swear? What about TV shows and Movies, radio programs, blogs, web sites. How about controlling our behavior after a few drinks, late into the night? or our thoughts after seeing TV and movies with bad behavior?

By avoiding the evil in the first place, we set ourselves up to do the right things. Stop and think about what you are exposing yourself to, and ask if you are following Paul’s guidance.

Dear Lord, help us control our exposure to evil, so that we may better do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians, he gives them a variety of guidance and instructions. One passage in particular we should all keep in mind as we face the day is:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, where he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

Great guidance for us all.

Dear Lord, be with us as we face each day so that we can follow Paul’s guidance having confidence in you and love for others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Though it is wrong, I’ll bet we all have looked at some people and thought, “Those people need to fix their lives, it is disgraceful how they behave.”

How did Jesus approach this issue of “bad” people?

Matthew 9:10-12 says,”Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

I think we often get the sequence of events backward. Whether consciously or not, we think people need to fix their behavior first, then they can be loved and saved. Jesus teaches us the opposite; Show people Gods love first, through our example, and approach. God will work in their heart’s on his timing. Sometimes it may be just a matter of saying a prayer for the person, rather than carrying on our critical thoughts.

Dear Lord, You gave us the example to love first and lead others to the grace of God in Jesus. Help us look at others with love rather than criticism and then let you work in their heart’s. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.