The Bible has many references to the fact that there are demons and evil spirts influencing people physically and psychologically. We may not think this is as commonplace in modern times, but how can we know? Is this the reason for the many horrible things people do in our world today?

We know from Paul’s writing in Ephesians 6:12, “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 evils spirits in heavenly places.”

If we believe this, what then are these evil rulers and authorities trying to do? They are working to interfere with God’s plan of love and salvation, and have been since Adam and Eve.

I recently read a couple novels that have been around for some time that dramatize how this might be occurring in our country and communities. This Present Darkness, and Piercing The Darkness, by Frank Peretti, though fictional stories, give us an idea what types of influence the devil may be using and directing in our world.

Job 1:7 tells us a conversation between God and Satan, “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

Some of us may have friends that consult with mediums, “fortune tellers.” Some may wonder how they can know “secret” things about us. Well, there are dark forces that are watching us and may be providing this information to these “fortune tellers”.

We know on our own we are no match for the evil powers of the devil, but we know also that the devil and evil are no match for God’s power and Jesus salvation. Our job is to steer clear of evil temptations that would expose us to the devil’s influence, and pray for God’s protection when attacked with one of the devil’s many tools, like fear, despair, discouragement, anger, hopelessness, addiction, greed, lust, envy, etc.

Prayer is our greatest tool to protect us, our families, friends and communities from the evil influences of the devil.

Dear Lord, as you taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil.” Protect us, our families, friends, communities, countries and leaders from the evil influences of the devil. Defeat the evil forces that are working around us so that we may live safely in your grace and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Everyone has something to be thankful for. Taking a moment out to think about these things, and be thankful, actually helps our view of life. It is impossible to be bitter, angry, or negative when we are being thankful.

Not only, however, should we take time to be thankful, we should think about who to be thankful to. Other than the specific things people do for us, the major things in life are provided by God. Things like, the beauty of nature, the magical balance of the forces of nature, the ability to think, feel, learn, and reason, the ability to love, and be loved, so many things that only God can provide.

Psalm 50:14-15 says, “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” and verse 23 says, “.. giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the amazing blessings you provide to all of us. May we bring our thanks to you to honor you. In Jesus’ name. 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.

Fear, unbelief, and doubt counteract our faith.

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.

The Old Testament books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles tell the genealogy from Adam through the captivity of the Jews and exile of the Jews to Babylon. The books also have some accounts of events that occurred during this time.

In reading through a section about a battle engaged in by one of the Jewish tribes, the words in 1 Chronicles 5:20 made me think. It writes, “They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him.”

One message for us in this account is that believing and trusting God will answer our prayer, affects God’s response. Their trust in God was given as the reason he answered.

Dear Lord, sometimes it is difficult for us to believe that you will answer our prayers, particularly when we see no hope or solution from our mortal viewpoint. Help us remember to believe and trust that you have power over all things and can find a way even when we cannot see a way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It has become pretty clear in recent medical studies, that continuous stress is dangerous to our bodies. Not only does it raise our blood pressure, it causes other changes in our system that deteriorate our physical condition. It is interesting that this phenomenon was written about in Proverbs thousands of years ago.

Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” NIV So how do we eliminate stress in our lives? We can also find directions for this in the bible. Romans 8:6 says, “Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace.” TLB

When we search for God’s guidance, and surrender ourselves to God’s will by following the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can be at peace knowing that the one who controls everything is also helping us.

Dear Lord, help us surrender our concerns to your power, and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we may have peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.