I read a good quote today that went, “I asked God for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.”

James 1:2-4 tell us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

It would be nice if the right way were the easy way, but usually it is not.  It is the challenges in life that allow us to build up our ability to choose what is right, when it is the difficult choice.

Dear Lord, help us always to choose the right way, and when it is the difficult choice,  give us the strength and discipline we need to persevere.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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You may have heard it said, that “We are God’s hands here on earth.”

1 John 4:12 says it like this. “But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

When we love God, and love others, we become a path God can us to show his love to others, through us.

Verse 15 goes on to say, “All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.”

Dear Lord, As believers we know that you live in us, Help us let your love work through us and touch all those we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Hopefully you have experienced those moments occasionally in your life where you can really feel God’s presence and his peace, whether that was resolution of a difficult situation in your life, or seeing the amazing beauty of a sunset, or a prayer after communion.

In 2 Peter 1:2 Peter writes “Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better.” Learning to know him better comes from studying, and meditating on his word, doing what it tells us, and talking with God through prayer.

James says in James 4:8 “And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you.”

Dear Lord, help us to learn to know you better each day, take steps toward you, and give you the opportunity to draw closer to us and give us your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Do you remember who first taught you about Jesus Christ? For many of us, it was our parents, but it may also have been, Sunday School teachers, Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or possibly a caring friend.

These people didn’t have to witness and teach you, but they did this good thing out of love for God and for you.

Paul writes in Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.”

He goes on in verse 16, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

Dear Lord, We thank you for those teachers and leaders who brought your message to us. Help us remember their example, and be the leaders and teachers of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Do you ever wonder why some days, everything seems to go wrong. Flat tire, leaky fawcet, late for school or work, forgot your phone, mean comment by a coworker or boss. Though these challenges may be coincidence, Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

These bad experiences may be caused by forces that are not obvious, and that are trying to break your spirit and separate you from God.

How do we overcome these forces? Paul continues in Ephesians 6:14 with the description of the armor of God. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

When the bad days come, remember to defend yourself with the shield of Faith in Jesus our Saviour and protector, and fight back with the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible, the “Sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God.

Dear Lord help us remember that you have power over all things, and that your power is there for us, to protect us from the evil that tries to separate us from your Love and Salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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