In biblical times, the concept of giving someone a blessing was a big deal. When it was God doing the blessing, it was God showing his special favor. When it was one person, like Abraham blessing Isaac, or Isaac blessing Jacob, it was that person calling down God’s favor on the one he was blessing.

In Numbers 4:22-27 God tells Moses how Aaron is to bless his people and why. The Living Bible translates it like this “Now the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to give this special blessing to the people of Israel: ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’ This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

There are many different translations of this passage, and all get the message across, that God wants to protect us and show us his favor. He wants to be happy with us, and he wants us to have the peace that comes from trusting him.

In modern times the pastor in our Church will say this blessing, just like Aaron, calling down God’s blessings on us. It is always a comforting part of a service. When we tell someone “God Bless,” we are doing the same, asking for God to show them his favor and peace.

Dear Lord, We thank you for your blessing and for the guidance you gave us through this story of Moses and Aaron. Bless those we love, and help us make a point of asking for your blessing on them when we see them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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It is so uplifting to see people put their faith in God and overcome their afflictions, fears, challenges or use their faith to excel and do great things.

I can only imagine that this was how Jesus felt in the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8. Roman soldiers were not what people expected when thinking of followers of Jesus Christ, but Jesus showed how, no matter who one is, it is the faith that matters.

The soldier’s servant was paralyzed and suffering. When Jesus asked if the Centurion wanted Him to come and heal the servant. The Centurion said he knew all Jesus had to do was say so and his servant would be healed. Jesus, knowing the heart of the soldier, said in verse 10, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” and in verse 13, “Go, Let it be done just as you believed it would.” NIV

We don’t have to be great “church-people” to believe God can bring us out of miserable situations, overcome debilitating fears, oreven give us success in our endeavors. We need to have the faith in God’s power and ability to do anything.

Dear Lord, help us have the faith in you to know without a doubt that you can do anything. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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The Bible is full of stories of people praying; praying for healing, for rescue, for revenge, for justice, for each other, for strength, for faith, for protection, for forgiveness, and many other things. Based upon the Bible accounts, we can pray for just about anything. I believe God wants us to pray to him with everything and anything that is on our mind and on our hearts, as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18, “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I found one prayer particularly helpful for putting prayer in the right perspective. Daniel was praying for the people of Israel who were in captivity in Babylon. In Daniel 9:18-19 he prays, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!”

We don’t “deserve” anything from God. When we pray for the accomplishment of our dreams and desires, or the overcoming of our obstacles, we should pray like Daniel, not asking because we have earned or deserve what we want, but because of God’s mercy and love for us.

That doesn’t mean we should be reluctant to ask. God puts dreams and desires in our hearts, and puts obstacles in our way, for our good and for his glory. He wants us to ask. Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, “ask and it will be given to you.” and Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Dear Lord, You have power over all things, the power to provide us anything we might want. Help us find your will for our lives, and come to you continuously asking for your help to do the great things you have put in our hearts; Not because we deserve it, but because of your mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Luke 2:10-11 tells us through the angels who appeared to the Shepherds, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today.”

Doesn’t this cover the entire message of Jesus Christ and Christianity. We don’t need to fear, because of the “good news of great joy for all people.”

Dear Lord, help us have the joy in our hearts and lives that comes from knowing our Savior has come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think we all have heard the story of the Wise men that came to see Jesus after he was born.

Matthew 2:1-2 says, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

There is much speculation about who these wise men were. Some people say they were Persian Kings or astrologers, some say they came from Arabia or Yemen. The Bible does not provide many more details, but what it does tell us is they were “wise men” and the came to worship Jesus.

This is an important message, Wise me came to worship Jesus, we should also.

Dear Lord, What a clear but simple message you provide for us in this story. Help us remember as well to come and worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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