Today is my incredible wife’s birthday. She is the grace in our home, the coach and biggest fan of our children, the mentor of her siblings, the unfailing sister of her friends, and my amazing Christian partner. Every day she brings glory to God by her life. God has blessed her, and all of us through her.

Solomon wrote about her in Proverbs 31:28-31, “Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

Happy Birthday Liz. I love you.

Today is also a milestone birthday for my brother Matthew, who is an amazing Christian man. A model of love, confidence, wisdom, and humility anchored in faith. God has blessed and challenged him greatly, and he is an outstanding example through it all. We love you, Matt!

Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing we have in Liz and Matthew. Give them courage and strength as they grow in your service and bring joy, hope, comfort and confidence to those around them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 9 includes the story of Jesus healing a boy who was possessed by a demon who would throw him into convulsions.

Mark 9 :21-22 says, “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

The man said “if you can” to Jesus. The man must have heard the stories of Jesus healing other people, and was looking desperately to find a way to help his son. Even though he probably had heard stories of Jesus healing people, he was not sure Jesus could, or would, heal his son.

Don’t we sometimes fall into this place of doubt, not sure God can solve the difficult problem we have.

In those times, Don’t ask “Can God?” say “God can.”

Dear Lord, We know that with you, all things are possible. Help us remember to pray and ask with confidence, and remember “God can.”
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today is the National Day of Prayer in the United States. It is wonderful that people in the U.S. have considered prayer important enough to establish a day to recognize this importance.

We all have unique strengths and weaknesses, and we all are at different places in our journey of faith.

Paul tells us that prayer is a strength all of us can improve, in Philippians 4:6-7 he says, “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.” NLT

This isn’t just a nice “feel good” comment by Paul, it is an instruction. When we have concerns, rather than thinking about all the negative possibilities over and over, we should determine what we need to resolve the concern, and ask God for it. Then after asking, we should thank God for answering, in His way. By doing this we are handing the concern over to God, and we can have the peace in knowing that it is in His hands.

Dear Lord, you know it is often difficult for us to just “not worry.” Please help us remember to ask for what we need, thank you, and accept your promise of the peace that passes all understanding. Today also, Lord be with our friend JT, as you have always been. Guide him as he helps us glorify you on this Day of Prayer in my local community. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the difficult instructions we have as Christians is to love our enemies, and particularly, we are not to seek revenge. It is difficult not to look for an opportunity to get back at someone who made a joke at our expense, cut us off in traffic, or got the promotion we were hoping for.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” As difficult as it is, we need to be kind to those who do us wrong, that is our part of the arrangement. Taking care of the offender is God’s part of the arrangement. Paul tells us in Romans 12:19, “for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” KJV in verse 21 he says, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” NLT When we sink to revenge and vengeance, we are damaging our own character and bringing ourselves down to the level of our offender.

Dear Lord, Help us to stay above the evil around us, be kind and gracious to those who offend us, and pray for them. By being kind, we may be the tool you are using to bring that person to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In order to purify gold; to take it from ore found in the ground to high enough quality for use for jewelry, electronics, and other things, it is heated to melting. When this is done, the impurities and other metals separate and the pure gold can be removed.

Peter uses this illustration in 1 Peter 1:6-7, he says “although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold tested by fire. ”

God lets us experience trials, setbacks, disappointments, to develop us and make us better. Our job is to stay in faith and use these trials to refine our faith and character, so we come out of it stronger and more capable.

Dear Lord help us remember that you are there to help us through our trials, and You are refining us so we can be a better Christian person. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.