“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

The author of this proverb, likely Solomon, was obviously not writing about our physical heart, but that part of our consciousness that controls our moral outlook, strongest feelings, and our passions. It is also the part of us that can be manipulated into false beliefs.

I think what the Proverb is telling us is that our heart, this moral consciousness, must be controlled by our mind, our conscious decisions and disciplines, not the other way around. By guarding or hearts from manipulation we stay in control of our lives, and even better, we direct our passions to the noble pursuits God desires.

Dear Lord, we are each beautifully and wonderfully made, but unless we follow your design for ourselves, we can be misled away from your will. Help us guard our hearts so that we will use them to bring passion and energy to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever had someone say something to you that just made your day? Someone you respect tells you “you look great,” or “what you are a doing is amazing and is making a great improvement.” On the other side of that coin, you may have heard people say things that seem to ruin your day.

We need to remember that we are often that someone who is making or ruining someone else’s day, by what we say.

There are many references in the Bible about the power and importance of words. James writes in James 3:3-5 “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.”

A few of the many references to the power of words in Proverbs are: Proverbs 15:4, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit,” 13:3, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything,” and 12:18, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”

What if you had an unlimited amount of money that you could only use to give to others? Wouldn’t you use it to improve their lives? In a way, that is what we have with our words. We have an unlimited account of words which we can give to others and impact their spirit. Let’s use them for good.

Dear Lord, we thank and praise you for the wisdom you provide us in your word. Help us control what we say so that we can be a “tree of life” and “bring healing” with our words. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Recognition is one of the most sought after rewards for most people. Recognitions like certificates, plaques, public presentations, and “pats on the back” make us feel special and important. We need to be careful that we are not seeking recognition from people for doing the good God expects from us.

In Matthew 6:1 Jesus tells the people who gathered to listen to him, and tells us, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” In the following verses, Jesus writes about being subtle when giving to the poor, praying, and fasting. After each he says, when we do, “Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

God’s recognition and reward is the one that matters, and is so much better than we could receive from people.

Dear Lord, it is tempting for us to seek other people’s recognition when we do good; It can sometimes even be a status symbol. Help us remember that it is your recognition that matters, and you will provide the joy and satisfaction for doing good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“I love my country.”

You don’t hear that often in the United States these days. It seems that people have no trouble finding things to complain and criticize about the US. However, there really has never been as extraordinary a country in history, founded on a set of moral principles and on a belief in God.

Saying “I love my country” is more than just words to the millions of men and women who have volunteered to serve in the military. It is a pledge to risk their lives to defend the people, and principles that make America. Beyond just pledging as millions have done, thousands have given their lives defending Americans and our principles. These people have left behind mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children, other family and friends, because they believed it was that important.

Jesus told us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

There is no greater expression of love for America than what those we honor and respect today, Memorial Day, have done. We are truly blessed by these people’s love.

Dear Lord, You gave us a special place worth loving in the United States of America. It began with you at its foundation. Millions have served and thousands have sacrificed to preserve it. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice. Help us to show our respect by doing our part to preserve the America You gave us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the challenges some of us have, is thinking, though incorrectly, that it is our job to “convert” people into believers.

Fortunately, our job is not to “convert,” people, it is sharing the Word, the Good News of Salvation that comes to those who believe, and leaving the Holy spirit to work in their hearts.

Paul tells us in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” and in Ephesians 2:8 he says, “by grace we are saved through faith,” and in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “…and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”

We share the word. The Holy Spirit does the “converting.”

Dear Lord, Help us remember that you are the Savior, we are the witnesses. Give us the strength and wisdom to share your word so the Holy Spirit can bring your saving grace to those who hear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.