John 8:44 Jesus describes the devil as “a liar and the father of lies.”

We have all experienced the devil’s lies as thoughts put in our heads trying to convince us to turn from trusting God.

One of the damaging lies the devil hits us with is convincing us to think “God doesn’t love me.” This may occur when we receive terrible news, or when our prayers are not answered the way we hoped, or when things seem to be just getting worse and worse. Even though these are real things and very difficult for us, the devil tries to use these things to drive us to despair and discouragement. If he can convince us to believe God doesn’t love us, we will look for some other way to deal with our suffering.

In these times, what God wants us to do is put our entire faith and trust in Him. As difficult and painful as some things can be, God is there with us. We must endure with prayer, hope and trust in Him, with confidence that he knows and cares and will not give us more than we can endure.

As David shows us in Psalm 23, we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing….Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me…Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” For this we thank you Lord. Amen.

Do you exercise regularly and read about health and fitness routines to keep yourself healthy? Do you take vitamins and manage what you eat? These are good things to do, as it says in 1 Corinthians 6 our bodies are the Lord’s temple, and we should, as it says in verse 20, “glorify God in our bodies.”

But even more important than our health and fitness routine, is trusting in God’s wisdom and doing what he tells us. Proverbs 3:7,8 says, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” NLT

Dear Lord, help us turn away from those evil things we know we should avoid, and follow your will in our lives. Help us look to your word in the Bible, and believe your promise for the healing and strength. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably heard someone use this expression when they seemingly have tried everything to get something accomplished, “What’s it going to take to…….”

In the Old Testament, God sent prophets to the people to try to get them to change their ways. One of these prophets was Amos.

In Amos 4:6 he tells the people God’s message saying, “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me. says the Lord.”

God is saying in essence, “what’s it going to take to get you people to return and follow me?”

We cannot know if the causes of problems in our lives are put there by God to get us to return to him, but they may be. Either way, however, we should turn to him for help, comfort, and resolution of the struggles in our lives.

Dear Lord, When we have negative experiences, may they remind us to return to you. You are our strength, protection and salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Studies have shown that people adapt and become accustomed to their situations pretty quickly. This ability has helped people survive and adapt to difficult situations, like famine, POW camps, or living through wars.

The phenomenon works the opposite way too. People who live in good times and good conditions like most of us do in the developed world today, can become too accustomed to how great life is, and not appreciate the tremendous blessings we have.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Stop and think about your day sometime, and all the amazing things that are just routine in our lives, from the time we wake up in the morning and through the day. Heat and air conditioning, a bed, electricity, hot shower, sharp razors, clean water, clean laundry, a closet full of clothes, cupboards and refrigerators full of food, cars, trains, buses with heat and air conditioning, paved streets, police departments, computer and internet technology, radio, tv, telephones, stores with anything we need, modern medicine, schools and universities. On top of all those things, the amazing beauty, complexity and balance of nature, the stars in the sky, sunrises, sunsets, birds, flowers, and the list goes on and on.

How could we not be amazed and joyful at all God has given us each day?

We praise and thank you Lord for your wonderful and amazing creation. Help us remember to appreciate all you have provided for us, every day. In Jesus’ name. 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”

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 and 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