I think there are two types of belief for Christians. First, and most important, is the belief that Jesus Christ is God, and that his death and resurrection are the ransom for our salvation.

or many of us, the second belief is the hard one. That is the belief that God knows and cares for each of us, and He can and will intervene in our and other’s lives.

Jesus tells the Father of a demon possessed boy in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” I believe the father’s reply is what we often feel, when we want and hope for something badly. He says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When we believe, we act with confidence, and expect God will intervene and make things work out.

Dear Lord, Help us with our unbelief. Help us realize that you want us to believe with confidence, and expect your answers to our prayers. For your answers, favor, grace and salvation, we thank you Lord. Amen.

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Paul Writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Stay away from every form of evil.” It is so much easier to do the right thing when we are not exposed to the temptations that pull us away. Is it easier to control our cursing and swearing if we avoid people who regularly curse and swear? What about TV shows and Movies, radio programs, blogs, web sites. How about controlling our behavior after a few drinks, late into the night? or our thoughts after seeing TV and movies depicting improper sexual activities?

By avoiding the evil in the first place, we set ourselves up to do the right things. Stop and think about what you are exposing yourself to, and ask if you are following Paul’s guidance.

Dear Lord, help us control our exposure to evil, so that we may better do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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This morning in the United States, there are many happy voters, and many disappointed voters.

Regardless of which of these groups we may be in, we know where our confidence should rest.

Psalm 33:20-22, Says, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for your hand in our world. Help us keep our faith and hope in you, in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Today is Election Day in the USA. In this particularly divisive election year, many people will be un-happy with the result.

However, Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-2, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities, For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”

As I was thinking about the implications of this, I thought about the conditions of the people during Paul’s time. They were governed by the dictator in Rome. The Romans considered the Emperor to be their God. Christians were persecuted, tortured and killed. However, eventually in 380 AD, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire. God is in control.

No matter who is elected today in the USA, our responsibility is clearly provided in the Bible.

Dear Lord, what peace it provides us to know that you have control over all things. As Christians, help us continue to follow your will, love our neighbors, and pray for our leaders, even if they are not our choice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Yesterday during our church service, one of our bell choirs played a piece. As I was watching and listening, I thought about how similar the bell choir was to how Paul describes the church.

In a bell choir, there are 10 or 12 people who ring two to four bells each. Each bell is a different note. When the ringers play precisely, in time, it creates beautiful chords and a melody that flows from one ringer to the next. If all we heard was one ringer, the music would be almost meaningless, with a couple notes played, then silence waiting for those notes to occur again in the piece.

Paul writes in Romans 12:4-6, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

God has given each of us different interests and talents. When we all use them together for his work, the church comes together like a beautiful musical performance with each of us playing our part in perfect synchrony, bringing glory to God, and serving our neighbors.

Dear Lord, you have created the opportunity for us to do great things as a church, when we work together using the unique gifts you have given each of us. Help us remember to use what you have given us, and when combined with what you have given our fellow members, Your church will do great things. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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