Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts or conscience, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

We cannot see the magnetic radio waves that are in the air all around us, but we can hear the message they carry when we tune in our radios.

In a similar way, John writes in 1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

We are like the radio that tunes into God’s love, translates it and delivers it to those around us. He delivers his love to the world through those who believe and do his will.

Dear Lord, we know that you are Love, and you show that love to those who trust and believe in you. Help us take the love you have given us and bring it to others, each of us in our own individual way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:20 “Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Give thanks in everything? The flat tire, the IRS audit, the poor test grade? Why?

When we commit our lives to God, he works in us, and on us, if we let Him. He is trying to make us better able to do the things He wants us to do. Some of the experiences we must go through are not pleasant, but they are necessary to become the people God wants us to be

In 1 Corinthians 2:9 Paul Writes, “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

We may realize shortly why we had the flat tire or other negative experience, but we may never know; however, we do know that God is working on us, if we let him, to become the person He wants us to be

Dear Lord, thank you for working on us, making us better. Help us understand, and also be thankful even for the difficult things in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you read biographies? You can find the stories of many famous and historic people in bookstores and libraries.

I heard an interesting description of the Book of John in the Bible, calling it, “the fourth biography of Jesus Christ.”

Though we may not typically think of it this way, the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are biographies of Jesus Christ.

The final two verses in, John 21:24-25 write, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

The Bible is part, history book, part biography, and part instruction book, inspired by God to bring us to Jesus. Paul tells us in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ”

Dear Lord, How wonderful it is to have the Bible, your path to hearing the Good News of Salvation. Help us never forget that the Bible is Your words, written by men. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think we have all seen those wild animal documentaries showing the predators, lions, tigers, and hyenas following a herd of prey. They wait for a young, old, or weak member of the herd to get out of the safety of the herd, and they attack that one.

In the same way, 1 Peter 5:8 tells his followers, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The devil also looks for someone that does not have support of other Christians. The lack of support makes them easier to influence, manipulate and pull away from their faith. Having a “herd” or our group of Christian friends and family for support helps us avoid being vulnerable to attack from our enemy the devil. The best way to have a group of Christian friends is to have a church you regularly attend. The “herd” is there to help protect you, but you are also there to protect and support other members.

Dear Lord, help us all find our Christian “herd” and a church where we can feel safe and comfortable in our faith. Help us provide mutual support for each other to defend against the attacks of the devil. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.