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 with bad behavior?

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.

In Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians, he gives them a variety of guidance and instructions. One passage in particular we should all keep in mind as we face the day is:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, where he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

Great guidance for us all.

Dear Lord, be with us as we face each day so that we can follow Paul’s guidance having confidence in you and love for others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have a belief, that underneath everyone’s pursuits in life is a desire for peace. Peace of mind, peace in our inner being.

Many of the common desires in life, achievement, financial success, fitness, health, or love if distilled into the core desire, is a desire to feel at peace with one’s self; Peace that you accomplished your objective, achieved something you were proud of, built a strong relationship, raised successful children or other achievements that make you feel “good” about yourself.

Often times we find that achieving these things do not bring us the sense of peace we thought we would have. Something still feels missing when we rely on these achievements to give us peace.

Paul tells us about this in Phillipians 4:6,7. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

The peace we are hoping for from winning the next game, adding a digit to our income, or finding that right person will come with thanks and trust in God’s grace and mercy.

Dear Lord, help us remember that our peace comes from you, and live our lives in this peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is there someone and someplace that just makes you happy even thinking about. For example, walking on the beach with your spouse, playing games around the table with your children, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your friends, or even playing with your dog or cat. Just being around them brings you a feeling of joy.

In a similar way, Psalm 16:11 says about God, “… in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we can truly experience God’s presence in our lives, we can feel the peace and joy that He promises. In order to get closer to God’s presence, we do like James writes in 4:8 “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you.”

Dear Lord help us do those things that draw us closer to you, reading your word and putting it into practice, that we may experience the fullness of joy you promise. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

There is a fair amount of debate, in intellectual circles and scientific communities about where a person’s morality and conscience come from. People without a religious belief, atheists and agnostics would argue that morality and conscience are learned, and are only a result of upbringing and exposure.

God is pretty clear through Paul’s writing in Romans, though, that our conscience and morality were placed in each of us by God. Romans 2:14,15 says, “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”

How great it is to have a conscience to help us see the boundaries for our behavior. God put these reminders there for us, all we have to do is follow them

Dear Lord, We thank you for having written your law on our hearts. Please give us the strength to listen to our conscience, and choose to do the right thing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.