Though it sounds so simple, when we are facing difficult, frightful, or uncertain times, whether it be a frightening medical diagnosis, loss of loved one, loss of a job, difficulty with children, or any personal struggle, remember the words of 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.”

We all have a tendency to think that like taking responsibility for our actions we have to carry the emotional burden of life’s challenges. However, God wants us to give him that burden.

Though things don’t always work out how we would like them. When we hand over the concern to God, who loves and cares for us, we can have peace knowing that he is in control.

Remember also Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

Dear Lord, Help us trust you and hand over our fears and concerns to you, believing and trusting in you is what you call us to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

When we are not entertaining ourselves, most of our time in life is spent trying to improve conditions for ourselves, and our loved one’s; More education, better job, business, house, more money, getting fit, healthy, investing, etc. These are all good things in the right context, but Why are we really here?

I believe the bible tells us that we are here not just to live our lives for ourselves and then die. We are here for a larger reason, to glorify God.

God says through Isaiah in Isaiah 43:7, “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”

God made us, in his image, breathed life into us, and loves us. He wants us to use the free will he gave us to acknowledge and honor him, to do great things and give Him thanks and credit, and to show his love to others so that they may come to believe in and glorify Him also.

In addition to us giving God the glory, we are sent by Jesus to bring help, hope, care and the message of salvation to others.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,”

Ultimately, I believe that God puts the dreams and desires in our hearts, and he will help us achieve these things. What he asks is that we use them to shine the light of our success on Him. By doing so, we will be giving others the opportunity to come to Him as well.

Dear Lord, what a magnificent plan you have made here for us. Thank you for putting dreams and desires in our hearts and helping us fulfill them. Help us also to remember that our success is intended for your glory, and to share with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Some years ago there was a popular business book with the title, “Hope is Not a Method,” and a few years later there was another business book on the shelves called, “Hope is not a Strategy.” At the time I thought about those statements, and thought they made sense. If all we do is hope for something to happen, it doesn’t really accomplish anything.

However, just because Hope is not a method, doesn’t mean hope is not an important part of our lives. Hope is an attitude, and a way of living. Particularly as Christians, hope is essential to our way of life.

Hebrews 6:18-19 writes, “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”

Dear Lord, you teach us to have hope in your promises. It is the positive hope in those promises, mostly the promise of eternal life that makes us optimistic and confident as we live our Christian lives each day. Strengthen our hope so that we may live boldly for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We celebrate many achievements in our lives, and recognize others when the achieve incredible things.

Luke 10 is the account of Jesus sending 72 disciples out into surrounding towns where Jesus planned to visit. When they returned, they reported with excitement that they had done amazing things and “even the demons obey us when we use your name.”

In modern times we might identify amazing achievements, like solving serious medical conditions, inventing ways to provide clean water in remote areas, or creating ways to provide the internet to the world.

Jesus tells these disciples in Luke 10:19-20, “I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

The message for us in modern times is the same. It is great to accomplish these things, but the thing we should be most joyful about is that we are saved.

Dear Lord, help us remember to be most joyful about the salvation you have provided us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably seen those crystal figurines in jewelry stores, one of the most famous brand is Swarovski. It is amazing how these sculptures sparkle and reflect the light. Although the crystal is just glass, it sparkles so much more than ordinary glass because it has a “secret” ingredient, lead, added to the sand that is melted to form the glass. It is the fact that the lead is in the glass that makes it different and more dazzling.

In a similar way, Paul writes about God’s mystery and secret in Colossians 1:27, “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you the assurance of sharing his glory.” It is this secret ingredient in Christians that makes them different, and which makes us look different to God. He does not see the ordinary person, he sees us with the “dazzle” of Christ in us.

Dear Lord Jesus, It is only by the “secret” of your grace changing our appearance that we can be seen as acceptable to God, and saved. What an assuring mystery this is for us. Help us embrace this secret and live our lives demonstrating Christ living in us. In His name we pray. Amen.