One of the reasons Jesus became famous during his ministry was because he performed many miracles. People came from all around to be healed, or to help others be healed. In most of the cases where Jesus healed people, he either asked them if they believed, or after healing them, he told them it was their faith that healed them.

Mark 6 includes the story of Jesus returning to his hometown, and finds that the people there are skeptical about his ability to perform miracles. verses 5 & 6 say, “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” I find it interesting that the verse says Jesus “could not” do miracles because of their lack of faith.

I believe from this that we all play a part in whether God performs miracles in our lives. If we don’t believe God can do it, he probably won’t, and if we believe, Jesus says in Matthew 19:26, “but with God all things are possible.”

Dear Lord, we want to believe that you can do anything, but often we just cannot bring ourselves to truly believe these things that seem impossible to us. Help us remember that we don’t need to figure it all out; we only need to believe in your power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have ever played the poker game, Texas Hold ’em, you’ve realized that the game is not so much about what cards you or your opponents have, it is more about being able to read the actions and body language of your opponents.

In a similar way, much of being a Christian is not about what is happening physically, It is about what is going on spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes, “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 evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

I have heard this concept described, “the main battle is supernatural.” So the tools we need to defend ourselves and win this battle are spiritual.

Dear Lord, Sometimes it is so apparent when we are being attacked spiritually, but sometimes it is subtle. Help us have the strength and faith to overcome those spiritual forces which try to destroy our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever said, or heard someone say, “who’s going to know?” just before doing something they would be embarrassed to have their friends or family see.

We have to realize that the most important evaluator of each of us sees everything we do. In Hebrews 4:13 Paul writes, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

I heard some good advice somewhere along the way. “Don’t do anything that you aren’t prepared to have printed on the front page of the newspaper.” In a way everything we do is on the front page of God’s newspaper. We would be better off if we thought about that regularly.

Dear Lord, we cannot keep anything from you. There is no hiding, rationalizing, or making excuses. You know what we have done, and our motives for doing it. Help us remember you are watching. We have no chance of meeting your standard of perfection, but if we confess and repent, Jesus’ perfection stands in our place. What an incredible gift. Help us go forward striving to do better. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have written in the past about the three reason’s I believe people choose not to accept God. (Link to that post) Belief in Evolution falls into one of those categories.

Belief in Evolution is a religion like other religions. By Evolution, I mean the belief that one “kind” of animal came from a different “kind” of animal. The fact that there are small dogs and big dogs is not what I would call Evolution. Evolution is believing that at some point in the past, dogs and cats came from the same ancestor. It would be difficult to believe what the Bible says in Genesis 1:25, ” God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds,” and also believe in this type of Evolution.

There is a great article from the Creation Research Institute that details and references many of the Christian perspectives on this topic. (link here) I am sure someone who believes in Evolution will reject this article’s conclusions, just as those who believe that God created each “kind” of animal would reject the claims of “evidence” purported by believers in Evolution. Both sides tend to use the same information as “evidence” that supports it’s claims.

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes, “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

Ultimately it is not logic and evidence that bring people to accept Jesus Christ as God, It is the work of the Holy Spirit in them. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “..no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”

We don’t need to “prove” it to people. Our job is to use our spiritual weapons, prayer, faith, the word, trust in God and rely on the Holy Spirit to work in others.

Dear Lord, It all comes down to belief. We thank you that we have received your Spirit and can accept you as our Savior. Help us do our part using your “mighty weapons” to help others come to be saved, as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I wrote about the similarities the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus has with modern times, describing how today we make “gods” of our things and activities, placing them ahead of God in our lives.

I don’t believe there is anything wrong with having a garage filled with sports cars, a private jet in the hanger, a private box at every sporting venue in town, or any other luxury. Look at Solomon, who was the picture of wealth, and privilege, and God approved and blessed him, until he got his priorities mixed up and began opening up to false religions. The important thing is getting our priorities right.

It doesn’t take millions of dollars to have our priorities mixed up either, whether it is a million dollar Ferrari, or the standing Saturday card game that keeps us from getting to church on Sunday, the important factor is that we keep God in the exclusive position at the top of our priority list.

The third Commandment written in Exodus 20:3-5 says “You must not have any other god but me.” “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.”

It is important for us to regularly stop and think about our priorities, and make sure we have God, and our duty to him at the top of the list.

Dear Lord, we all fail at times to keep you and your will in first place. Forgive us, and help us think about our priorities and get them right with you at the top of the list. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.