I recently listened to an interview with husband and wife, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. If you don’t know those names, Mark Burnett is one of the most influential TV and Movie producers in Hollywood; producer of Survivor, the Apprentice, Shark Tank, the Voice, and many other tremendously successful productions. Roma Downey is an actress, producer and author, whom you may remember as the angel character “Monica” in the TV show Touched by an Angel.

Why, you may ask, is this relevant to a Christian devotional message? These people are also faithful and unashamed Christians, in a town and industry not known to be very accommodating to Christians. Together they have also produced the incredibly successful TV series The Bible, The movie Son of God, and the upcoming series AD about the early Christian Church. Take a minute to read more about them on Wikipedia.

Although they are not perfect, and have had their struggles, like all of us, their story is a great example for Christians in two ways. First, as Paul writes in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.” What a great example these people are for those who are reluctant to live their Christian life openly, fearing it is not “cool.” Secondly, in Psalm 37:4 David writes, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” These people are bringing glory to God and sharing the story of Jesus Christ within their chosen craft and calling, and the Lord has blessed them tremendously.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us examples of people like these and many others in our lives, who actively live as Christians. Thank you for blessing them so they can be blessings to us. Help us learn to do the same. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Many people find it easier to set priorities and make decision if they have a set of principles to follow. Many companies and organizations have “Guiding Principles” written down and distributed to their employees and members to help with managing their operations.

Jesus gave us a simple set of principles when asked what was the greatest commandment. In Matthew 28:37-39 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” NIV

So when we are looking for direction on how we should live, or what we should do in various circumstances, we can look to these “Guiding Principles” to help with our priorities and decisions.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us this clear direction. Help us to live our lives in in this way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In modern times when we hear the word “peace” we tend to think of the absence of war or absence of conflict between people. Jesus is described in the Bible as the “Prince of Peace” and in John 14:27 He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus’ peace is a peace for you personally. Closer to the dictionary definition of “quiet and tranquility: Mental calm; serenity.” We can have this peace through our faith in Jesus. He wants us to pass our troubles, sorrows, and concerns to Him and ask for His help. If we trust Him, we can be at peace.

The apostle Paul describes it in Philipians 4:7 “The peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We may not understand it, but through faith in God we can have peace.

Dear Lord, Help us trust You and accept Your peace in our lives, knowing that You will guard and protect us. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Paul Writes in 1 Thessolonians 5:22 “Stay away from every form of evil.” NET 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, Movies, radio programs, blogs, web sites. How about controlling our behavior after too many drinks? Or controlling our thoughts after seeing TV shows and movies depicting immoral activities?

By avoiding the evil in the first place, we set ourselves up to do the right things. We need to stop and think occasionally about what we are exposing ourselves to, and ask if we 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.

Do you work out with weights in the gym, and struggle through the last repetition? Ever played organized sports, and had to do drills? Extra running? Sprints? Or in school did you do the same type of math problem over and over?

Why do we do these things that we don’t necessarily enjoy? We do them to improve ourselves so we perform better in the future.

Have you ever thought that God allows us to struggle and suffer some things in life to make us stronger Christians?

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:3 “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces character” NIV

We need to look at our struggles and suffering, not as the permanent result God has intended for us, but as an exercise that can make us stronger, more reliant on God in the future.

Dear Lord, we know You love us and know the struggles and suffering we face. Help us endure our sufferings with the knowledge that if we handle them with faith in You, they will help us become stronger and more capable Christians. In Jesus name we pray. Amen