You have probably heard the expression, “if you play with fire you will get burned.” Telling someone this is telling them that they are risking serious consequences with their action, and indirectly telling them to stop their risky behavior.

Psalm 16:6 expresses a similar idea but more directly, “by fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.” the Living Bible translates it as, “evil is avoided by reverence for God.”

If we “fear” God, or “have reverence” for God, we will avoid those things that bring us close to evil.

The chances of us giving into temptations are much lower, if we avoid where the temptations exist. When we fear God, we will try to fill our time with those things he would like us to do, which should inherently keep us away from many temptations.

Dear Lord, we need to avoid evil. Thinking we can just resist temptations every time is like “playing with fire.” Avoiding the temptation in the first place, gives us a much better chance to avoid evil, and do your will. Help us to see that path around temptation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Intimidate: Definition – to frighten into submission

Intimidation is used by our opponents to make us do things they want us to do, or to prevent us from doing things they don’t want us to do. It is the primary tool used by bullies, criminals, and terrorists. It can also be considered to be how the devil prevents us from doing what we know we should, by making us fear the perceived embarrassment, fear losing out, or fear being defeated if we stick to our integrity and morals.

Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote his letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 1:28 he wrote, “So don’t let your opponents intimidate you in any way. This is God’s way of showing them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved.”

With our faith in God’s strength, not our own, we can stand up to any opponent, be it a person, temptation, ridicule, or risk.

The, well known, story of David and Goliath is written in 1 Samuel 17. In verse 47 David describes what happens when we put our hope and faith in God’s power, “Then everyone gathered here will know that the Lord can save without sword or spear, because the Lord determines every battle’s outcome.”

Dear Lord, you control all things. Often we experience situations, people, and temptations that would intimidate us into improper behavior or inaction when we should be doing your will. In these times, help us remember to rely on your power to overcome and not be intimidated. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We all have those times that we wonder if God really knows what is going on in our lives. Does he actually care? Does he know how important this test, sale, treatment, or interview is to me? How important it is to my family? My business?

We can read Isaiah 40 and get some comfort and assurance that God knows even more than we do about our situations and what we need.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

God knows. He cares. Trust Him.

Dear Lord, we cannot begin to appreciate the magnitude of your power and awareness. You know everything that has happened to us, and everything that will happen to us. Help us have the peace that comes from trusting You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The old testament law prescribed specific types of sacrifices to be made for different sins, burnt offerings,sin offerings, trespass offerings, different offerings for intentional and unintentional sins, and many other variations. In addition, it specified how each animal was to be prepared for the sacrifice, and what had to be done with all the parts. Many of the details are written in Numbers 15. I imagine the priests in the temple were constantly working on preparing and conducting sacrifices. This was very serious and important activity for people at the time, as they strived to follow the directions God had given them.

We can only imagine how dramatic a change it must have been for the Jews after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were preaching and teaching that these sacrifices were no longer necessary. Jesus’ had became the one and only sacrifice for all sins.

Hebrews 10:14-18 says, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

This text references back to prophesies of Jeremiah that there would come a time when the sacrifices would no longer be required. This prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. We no longer are required to offer sacrifices, we only need to accept your sacrifice in order to be forgiven and made right with God. Work in our hearts to accept this gift with gratitude and confidence. In Your name we pray. Amen.

A business coach I follow has a concept to describe two different mindsets people tend to have. He metaphorically describes the mindsets as “neighborhoods.”

One neighborhood he describes as the “Abundance” neighborhood. In this neighborhood, or mindset, people are grateful for what they have and for the contributions each other make. They work together to resolve issues in ways that benefit each other, and the success of each other builds to advance everyone and create abundance for the neighborhood. The foundation of this neighborhood is gratitude.

The other neighborhood he describes is the “Scarcity” neighborhood, where people believe there is only so much to go around, where there is friction between the “Haves” and “Have-nots,” and where the only way one person can “get ahead” is with someone else falling behind. The foundation of this “neighborhood” is envy.

David writes about the “Scarcity Neighborhood” in Proverbs 24:1,2 “Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.” Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:4, “Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors.”

Mark 8:6 describes the “Abundance Neighborhood” in the account of feeding 4000 with seven loaves of bread and a few fish, “So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.”

What neighborhood do you live in?

Dear Lord help us build our foundations on gratitude for all that you have provided us, and believe in the abundance that you provide for those who trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.