Most people have heard Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” and most, if asked, would probably agree that it is easier said than done.

Why?

I think the answer is because it is difficult to take our focus off of the things that are worrying us and focus on those things that are pleasant and make us happy.

Similarly, in Luke 8:50, Jesus tells a man who was just told that his daughter died, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” This may seem also like an impossible suggestion. How could someone in his situation not be afraid?

The key is to change the focus from the thing that scares us, to Jesus, in whom we have faith.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares on Him, for he cares for you.”

As difficult as it may be for us to overpower those fearful thoughts, If we think about the fact that God, the immeasurably powerful force that created everything, cares about us individually, and personally, we can displace our fears with faith. God has our concerns completely under control, we do not need to fear.

Dear Lord, You tell us many times in Bible accounts that our faith effects events. Help us truly believe in your power and hand over our concerns and fears to you, with faith that you will work them out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I have a friend who, when things seemed to unexpectedly work out in his favor, would jokingly say it was due to his “clean living and high moral fiber.” This would always get a chuckle from those around.

Psalm 97:11 actually says something similar. “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.”

In Romans 1:17 Paul reminds us that we are “made righteous by faith.”

So when things go well for us, we can say, “God’s light and joy are on us due to our faith in him.”

Dear Lord, how wonderful it is when your light shines on us and we can know the joy of being right with you. Thank you for this blessing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I chuckle at the expression, “If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, every problem is a nail.”

I think this expression describes the way we sometimes look at problems, but also how we can mistakenly approach people. We often fall into the thinking that the same approach to an issue is right for all people, and that the way we do things is the way everyone should do those things.

One, of many, examples is in the way church is conducted. Some say, “get with the times, we need contemporary music and a casual atmosphere.” others think traditional is the only appropriate way. However, often, there are many ways that are appropriate and effective, and different styles connect with different people.

Paul confirms some of these differences in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 saying, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

It is always a healthy exercise for each of us to question how we are approaching others. Are we starting with love and care for them, and recognition of the possible differences, before we offer our opinion? Let’s remember that we are all unique and one solution is not always the only solution.

Dear Lord, the variety of people, approaches and gifts are part of the beauty of your creation. Help us see this beauty, and relate to others with love and care first, open to the gifts you may have given them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

If you have read many self-improvement books, you have probably come across a concept that is instrumental in helping achieve earthly success, that being the belief in a world of abundance. The concept is that there is abundance for all who believe it is possible, and that believing in limits to abundance is a self-fulfilling limit on our success.

In a similar way Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The Living Bible translation writes it like this, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Clearly Jesus is talking about more than just our life on earth. We know our entire faith is based on the eternal life we have in Jesus Christ. I think, however, He also intends to bring an abundant life of peace, joy and hope here on earth to those who believe and put their trust in Him.

We can put limits on this abundant life, if we choose to, or we can have the abundant life God promises if we believe.

Dear Lord, thank you for the promise of an abundant life. Help us to truly believe your promise and live our lives expecting and grateful for this abundance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Praise the Lord, Let all that I am praise the Lord.” Psalm 146

Many places in the Bible we are told to “Praise the Lord,” but what does that really mean? It means acknowledging that God is, well, God. He is all powerful, all knowing, the creator of everything.

Being written two or three thousand years ago, the examples used in the Bible describing the amazing things for which to praise God seem a bit simple to us now.

A psalm written about praising God today might be more like this:

Praise God for making the laws of physics that allow us to travel around the world in hours.
Praise Him for the elegant design of the atom that allows us to transmit information around the world in seconds.
Praise God for the amazing balance in molecules, and elements, that maintain stability of the chemistry in our environment.
Praise Him for the balance of earth’s cycle of life that maintains stability in the earth’s biology.
Praise God for the astonishing sophistication of the human body that can do wonderful and beautiful things, a body that can be changed and strengthened, and heals itself.
Praise Him for the amazing creation of the human brain that allows us to learn about these amazing creations and use them to improve the quality of life for all people.
For these and marvels of Your power yet to be learned, we Praise you Lord. Amen.