I sometimes wonder why some of these atheist organizations are so opposed to Christianity. They successfully pushed prayer and teaching of creation out of Public schools, they are trying to remove crosses from memorial sites, and even trying to have all the gravestones at Arlington cemetary changed from crosses to something else.

Jesus predicted this when he was living. In Matthew 24:9 Jesus says, “You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”

In other parts of the world, the stakes are even higher as we have read about the killing of people because they are Christian, and the destruction of Christian historic sites and artifacts.

Jesus tells us not to fear however, In Matthew 10:26, “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you.” and verses 28-31, “Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 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.”

And in Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus tells us to stand up and acknowledge Christ saying, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

We need to have courage and stand up for our Christian faith, resist the push to eliminate Christianity from our culture.

Dear Lord, We have had such a wonderful history in America as a country where most people supported and defended Christian values. Help us keep that tradition alive, and give us the courage to stand up against those who would try to silence your good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the amazing aspects of the Bible is how it uses specifics when describing certain events, providing a way to verify the validity of historic events.

For instance, Luke 3:1,2 describes the time John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness, writing, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

This verse clearly identifies for future readers when this event took place. As time has progressed, independent historical records and archeology have confirmed existence of these people, their roles and times they were present. The fact that as new information arises, it confirms rather than contradicts the details in the Bible, adds to the credibility and reliability of the entire Bible.

Dear Lord, what an incredible blessing we have in the Bible’s record, giving us additional strength for our faith. Help us read and believe your word in the Bible, with confidence, remembering as written in 2 Timothy 3:16,17, that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever learned one of those things that are impossible to do unless you commit completely and expect success; something that you cannot do “kind of” or “a little.” For example learning to do a flip off the diving board, if you don’t commit, you end up landing on your back; How about getting up out of the water when water skiing, if you try to do it slowly, you end up with a face full of water, and the rope yanked out of your hands; Or stepping onto a boat as it is slowly moving from the dock, if you don’t get both feet and your body all the way onto the boat, you end up doing the splits and falling in the water.

In ways, our Christian faith is similar. In a number of Bible accounts, Jesus tells people that it is their faith that heals them. Matthew 9 includes the story of Jesus healing two blind men, and in verse 29 he says, “Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

Acts 9 tells the account of Saul’s conversion from persecutor of Christians to Apostle. Saul was on his way to Damascus to find, imprison or kill the early Christians, but on his way Jesus comes to him in a bright light and makes him blind. In another part of the town, God came to a man named Ananias in a vision and said to find Saul and heal him. Ananias was aware that Saul was persecuting Christians and did not know Saul had been converted. Ananias had to act in faith and trust that God would protect him.

In Deuteronomy 31:6 God says, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

He will not leave us or forsake us if we move forward boldly to do what we hear him calling us to do.

Dear Lord, Thank you that we can know that you are always with us and will protect us. Give us the courage to do the scary things we know we should, trusting in your protection. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many times in life we encounter issues and situations that look impossible to overcome.

The Old Testament prophet Elisha’s student had an experience like this. The Aramean army was attacking Jerusalem, but God was providing details about their location and plans to Elisha, and Elisha provided this information to Israel’s army who continued to defeat every attack by the Aramean’s? When the King of Arem found out about Elisha, he sent the army after Elisha.

Elisha’s servant awoke one morning and looked outside to find the Aramean army surrounding their city. They were looking for Elisha. When the servant told Elisha about the situation, Elisha said, 2 Kings 6:16, “Do not be afraid!” For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes and when he looked up he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Just like this young man, sometimes we think our problems are too big to be solved. At those times we need to remember Elisha’s words, “There are more on our side than on theirs!. Our problems are nothing for God to solve.

Dear Lord, you control everything we encounter and have the ability to change the outcome at your will. Help us remember this and ask for you guidance and intervention when needed, knowing that with you all things are possible. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever had a conversation with the parent of a toddler while the toddler was playing on a park playscape? The parent’s eyes are always darting back toward the toddler, ready to run and protect the child from a fall, from some other danger, or from getting out of sight.

In ways, this is what is described in Psalm 33:18 which says, “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

God is watching and is aware of our situations; our successes and struggles, our hopes and our fears. We are not alone, He is always there and ready when we call.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us use this confidence to be bold Christians sharing your love and good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.