We have probably all heard about superstitions of some professional athletes, and performers. Things they do that they think bring them good luck, like a special clothing item worn at every performance, or a special food prior to performing, or a particular ritual on the field, court or stage.

In Bible times, people would come up with rituals and rules, often about what type of food to eat or not to eat that would give someone special favor from God.

Hebrews 13:8-9, “Paul writes, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.”

We too should remember that there is no secret formula for getting special treatment from God. We just put our faith and trust in Him, and he will lead us and protect us.

Dear Lord, it is easy for us to be distracted by the idea that we can follow a special rule or ritual and we will get lucky, or receive a special blessing. Help us turn from those temptations, and put our trust in you. When we put our faith and hope in you, you will guide our lives. For this we thank you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably seen movies, where one person wronged another and it started a “cold war” between them, where neither will talk to the other. Until they can put that bad experience behind them, they cannot complete some important objective that is critical to both of them. Ultimately it comes down to one of the characters apologizing, in order to become “right” with the other, and the other granting forgiveness.

This is the type of relationship man has with God. Paul writes in Romans 3:24,25, “..assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

People are in a “cold war” with God, separated from him until we believe that Jesus was raised by God from the dead. Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our belief in him, makes us “right” with God, so that we can finish the story and live in and with God eternally.

Dear Lord, though it may seem to some that we have to do the work to become right with you. Really, you have done all the work already. We must only accept this righteousness you offer. Help us to accept your gift, and remember it regularly in prayer, reading scripture, attending church, and receiving your holy communion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sometimes, we just cannot understand why God is letting things happen the way they are. Terrible tragedies happen to innocent people, people lose their loved ones, evil people seem to succeed. We try and try to find the logic in the events, but cannot.

In those times, a few of the following verses may help:

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.”

Psalm 91:14, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust my name.”

Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

Psalm 27:14, “Wait patiently for the Lord, Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

We may not understand the work God is doing, but we can know that He is in control, and He is there for us.

Dear Lord, You know how difficult life can be for some people, be with those who mourn, help them feel your presence and comfort. Give use the words, wisdom, and love to be your hands of caring to those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul lists many examples of people in Bible history, such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Rahab, and others who acted “by faith” in God’s promises to accomplish difficult, embarrassing, frightening, life threatening, and even life ending assignments they knew God was calling them to pursue.

In Hebrews 12:1 Paul writes, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

One of the great things about sports teams and clubs with common interests is that the members become examples for each other to excel and overcome obstacles. I think what Paul is telling us with the description of “a crowd of witnesses” is that we have “a team” for us to use as examples to help us excel in our faith. We should read about and meditate on the stories of these people to see how they acted in faith, and God kept his promises to support them in their callings.

Dear Lord, thank you for these examples of faithful witnesses on who’s stories we can rely for confidence in you. Help us use this confidence to faithfully pursue those things to which you are calling us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Philippians 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.”

I find a great deal of comfort and wisdom in this passage, about how and why to pray, but I also find it interesting that it says that God’s peace will “guard” your hearts and minds. Using this word implies that our Hearts and Minds need to be protected from something. I think what God’s peace is protecting our hearts and minds from, is temptation; The many varieties of temptation that draw us away.

Some other Bible versions use the expression “keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So by praying, asking for what we need and thanking God for what he has done, we will experience God’s Peace that protects us from temptation, and keeps us connected to Jesus Christ. This lets us do what the verse starts with…Not worry.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this promise of your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.