You have probably seen small children hold on to their parents leg when they are afraid or uncertain; or when they have a nightmare, will climb into bed with their parents. Being close to their protector gives them a sense of safety and comfort. It is a bit more complicated to overcome fears when we grow up.

James 4:7 gives us a great formula for dealing with fears in life. James, in writing to the followers of Christ says. “So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” NIV

There cannot be anything more peaceful and powerful than to have God, the ultimate power and the source of love, “near us,” and James explained how.

Dear Lord, we submit our “to do list” to you. Guide us. Give us the strength to resist the temptations of the devil and the world. Draw near to us so we may experience the peace and comfort of being close to 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.

It is great to pray for little things, and have an ongoing conversation with God throughout our day. Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray continually.” We can ask for God to help us do well on a test, or close an important sale, or have a good report from a doctor visit. These are all fine to ask for, but those things could happen with or without God’s help.

However, how often do we ask for really significant things that cannot happen without God’s intervention? Things like unexpected funds for your church to make needed improvements, healing of a chronic medical condition, or straightening up of a wayward relative or friend. In John 14:13-14 Jesus says, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” If we truly believe in God’s power, and believe that what we want will bring Glory to God, we should be asking for things that are impossible without God’s supernatural input.

Dear Lord, Help us also remember that you are God and there are no limits to your capabilities. Help us also remember your promise to do whatever we ask so that it brings glory to God. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

As Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, the many people who had heard and seen his miracles and heard his teachings followed him singing his praises. I imagine it was something like the parades we see for the World Series, or Super Bowl champions through their towns.

However all the people did not believe that Jesus was sent by God, and though Jesus scolded those who challenged him, he also was saddened by their disbelief. Luke 19:41-42 tells us, “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.”

I think Jesus may be looking at our world today and saying the same. “How I wish that you would understand the way to peace.” Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Let us know God’s peace and say like those on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9.

Praise to you our Savior. Give us your peace and save us from our current peril so that we might return to our churches, and chapels to praise and worship you together again. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have ever walked on a balance beam, you know that the best way to keep your balance is to look far down the length of the beam, Or when we are learning to drive, the best way to stay in our lane is to look way down the road. Looking where we want to go keeps us on track.

Matthew 14 includes the account of Jesus walking on water. Peter sees him from the boat, and when Jesus says “come” Peter begins walking on the water toward Jesus. However, in verse 30 things deteriorate, “But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” When Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus he begins to sink.

In the same way, to keep ourselves on the right track, we need to keep our eyes and attention on Jesus and His instructions for us.

Dear Lord, Help us to keep our eyes on you, your teachings, and listen in our hearts for your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.