You’ve probably heard it said, You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Proverbs 3:3,4 is a bit of a follow-on to that expression saying, “Never tire of loyalty and kindness. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart, If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment” From TLB version.

The NIV Bible version text uses the virtues of “Love and Faithfulness,” and the RSV version uses “Loyalty and Faithfulness.”

Regardless of the Bible version; Loyalty, Kindness, Love, and Faithfulness, are virtues we need to work on to truly be the Christian brothers and sisters God wants us to be.

Dear Lord, we thank you that you first showed us Love, Loyalty, Kindness and Faithfulness. Help us keep these virtues in the front of our minds throughout our days and use them with those we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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Mark 9:14-29 is the account of Jesus casting a demon out of a boy who is possessed. Verses 22-24 begin with the boy’s father asking Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

We all can get in this situation occasionally. “I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” We find ourselves in a difficult financial situation, legal problem, or a situation where there is just not enough time for things to work out, so we pray for God to help, but deep down we have doubts. In those times we need to remember that we don’t have to figure out how God will resolve it, we just need to believe he will.

I like the expression, “God can find a way even when we don’t see a way.”

Let’s all remember to put our belief in God’s power, and when we don’t see how things can turn out well, remember the words “help my unbelief.”

Dear Lord, We know you have all power. Help us truly believe this when it comes to our own situations, that you can find a way when we cannot see a way. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I think one thing that many of us get wrong, when we come to God for help with the difficulties in our lives, is complaining and looking for God’s sympathy. We sometimes think if we show God how difficult things are for us, out of pity, he will help us. The problem with that approach is, it is not what God tells he responds to.

God responds to our faith. In Hebrews 11:6 we are told, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

God knows the challenges we face in our lives. In some cases he is allowing these difficulties to occur to bring us closer to him. So complaining to God about these things will not influence him. What he tells us he wants is for us to respond to our challenges with faith. When we want God to help us, we should come to him with a faithful petition like:

Dear Lord, You know the challenges we are facing, whether these are things we brought on ourselves, or they are trials you are allowing us to experience, to make us better, we come to you with no doubt that you will bring us through these trials better, stronger and more confident in your unlimited power. For this we thank you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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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.

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We have probably all known someone, or have seen someone on television or the internet who defends behaviors that are immoral and self destructive, and the people are vehemently opposed to Christianity morality, and religion in general. This is not new to our modern times, it was written about thousands of years ago in the Bible.

Proverbs 19:3 says, “A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”

The challenge for us is knowing how we respond to a person like this. Arguing is not the solution, but the Bible gives some guidance.

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

And Peter says in, 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Dear Lord, Help us live lives that glorify you and result in people asking us why we have a unique hope; Hope in You. When they do, help us to be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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