The Bible has many references to the fact that there are demons and evil spirts influencing people physically and psychologically. We may not think this is as commonplace in modern times, but how can we know? Is this the reason for the many horrible things people do in our world today?

We know from Paul’s writing in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evils spirits in heavenly places.”

If we believe this, what then are these evil rulers and authorities trying to do? They are working to interfere with God’s plan of love and salvation, and have been since Adam and Eve.

I recently read a couple novels that have been around for some time that dramatize how this might be occurring in our country and communities. This Present Darkness, and Piercing The Darkness, by Frank Peretti, though fictional stories, give us an idea what types of influence the devil may be using and directing in our world.

We know on our own we are no match for the evil powers of the devil, but we know also that the devil and evil are no match for God’s power and Jesus salvation. Our job is to steer clear of evil temptations that would expose us to the devil’s influence, and pray for God’s protection when attacked with one of the devil’s many tools, like fear, despair, discouragement, anger, hopelessness, addiction, greed, lust, envy, etc.

Prayer is our greatest tool to protect us, our families, friends and communities from the evil influences of the devil.

Dear Lord, as you taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil.” Protect us, our families, friends, communities, countries and leaders from the evil influences of the devil. Defeat the evil forces that are working around us so that we may live safely in your grace and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think we are all familiar with the account of Jesus feeding the 5000 with five barley loaves and two fish, recorded in each of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In addition to the fact that Jesus performed this miracle, I think there is a message in how He went about it.

John 6:11, says, “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.”

I think one lesson, for us, is found in Jesus’ actions. He didn’t explain how He was going to feed all these people, He just thanked God for the things he had to work with, and then got started with belief for success.

So often we have trouble believing in God’s power to make things happen, because we cannot explain how it can be done. What we need to do is, accept that we don’t know how God will resolve things, just thank him for the resources we have, and move forward in belief that God will provide a solution.

I like the quote from Arthur Ashe, the Tennis Pro in the 1970’s, who said, “Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can.” I would add, “believe in God’s power.”

Dear Lord, You can do anything, we just need to believe, be thankful and move forward. Help us really trust your power to answer our prayers, especially when we don’t know how it can be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is an expression first recorded several hundred years ago that goes, “There but for the grace of God go I.” This expression was used when seeing someone who’s mistakes or bad behaviors resulted in punishment or terrible consequences. In modern language, it would be like saying, “If not for the grace of God, that could be me.” It was used when looking at someone we would normally be inclined to judge, like the panhandler, drunk driver, or shoplifter.

James says in James 4:11-12, “Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?”

So when that thought comes to mind about tempting us to judge or condemn someone, we should remember, “but for the grace of God, it could be me.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for your saving grace and mercy. Help us remember that it is you working in us that allows us to believe and be saved, not anything to do with our abilities. by your grace we go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have learned to read music to play an instrument, or sing, you are familiar with the many small characters, accents, symbols and notations on sheet music that tell you to play faster, louder, with different techniques, or how to navigate the sections of the piece. It is kind of like a code, and if you don’t know it, you cannot really understand how the music should sound.

In a way, this is like the situation in Matthew 13:10-13, “Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.”

The parables are like a code that can only be deciphered by someone who has his or her heart open to receiving God’s message. The more open our heart is to hearing the message, the more understanding we are granted.

Dear Lord, We praise and thank you that you have given us the ability to understand your parables, and have given us the Holy Spirit working in us. Help us use this ability to become more knowledgeable and use this knowledge to help others come to understand as well. 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.