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.

The well known account of Jesus calming the storm written in the gospels ends with Jesus calming the storm then asking the disciples “where is your faith?”

Matthew 8:25,26 describes the disciples’ situation this way, “the disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”

One question I have when encountering a fearful situation as the disciples did, is, “What do I do if I do have faith?”

Using this account as an example, what would the disciples have done if they had more faith?

Well, if Jesus’ example on the boat was the guide, they would have remained calm, trusted that God would protect them through the storm, and put less emphasis on the power of the storm, their problem, and more on the power of God to overcome it and bring them to the destination where He was leading them.

The lesson then for us is the same. When we experience the frightening obstacles in life, living our faith will have us remaining calm, de-emphasizing the problem, and trusting that God will overcome it and bring us through.

Dear Lord, strengthen our faith so that we may be calm in our troubles, focus on your promise and not our problems, and trust you to bring us through. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Biblical times, the concept of giving someone a blessing was a big deal. When it was God doing the blessing, it was God showing his special favor. When it was one person, like Abraham blessing Isaac, or Isaac blessing Jacob, it was that person calling down God’s favor on the one he was blessing.

In Numbers 6:22-27 God tells Moses how Aaron is to bless his people and why. The Living Bible translates it like this “Now the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to give this special blessing to the people of Israel: ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’ This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

There are many different translations of this passage, and all get the message across, that God wants to protect us and show us his favor. He wants to be happy with us, and he wants us to have the peace that comes from trusting him.

In modern times the pastor in our Church will say this blessing, just like Aaron, calling down God’s blessings on us. It is always a comforting part of a service. When we tell someone “God Bless,” we are doing the same, asking for God to show them his favor and peace.

Dear Lord, We thank you for your blessing and for the guidance you gave us through this story of Moses and Aaron. Bless those we love, and help us make a point of asking for your blessing on them when we see them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Matthew 8:5-10, is the account of Jesus healing the Roman soldier’s servant. “When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”

The officer came to Jesus to ask for the healing miracle which demonstrated his belief and faith, but the significance that Jesus highlighted, is the Officer’s understanding of Jesus’ power. The officer described this understanding in his own terms, showing Jesus and those around that he understood Jesus’ incredible power, and accepted it.

How does that apply to us? Do we really understand and accept that God can do miracles in our lives and those we love?

Dear Lord, help us truly understand your unlimited power, and accept that in your love for us, you can do miracles in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of the many ways the devil works to separate us from God is by using good things that God has provided, against us. An example of this is ambition and determination. When we place too much emphasis on achieving what are good desires like, academic or athletic achievement, business success, and even success at our churches, they can become more important to us than they should, displacing God as our priority.

James writes in James 4:13-15, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

As James writes if we start our plans with, “If the Lord wills, I plan to…” it will help us keep our priorities in order.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the desires and ambitions that you place in our hearts. Help us keep our priorities straight to avoid these desires from becoming our idols. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.