One of the amazing aspects of the Bible is how it uses specifics when describing certain events, providing a way to verify the validity of historic events.

For instance, Luke 3:1,2 describes the time John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness, writing, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

This verse clearly identifies for future readers when this event took place. As time has progressed, independent historical records and archeology have confirmed existence of these people, their roles and times they were present. The fact that as new information arises, it confirms rather than contradicts the details in the Bible, adds to the credibility and reliability of the entire Bible.

Dear Lord, what an incredible blessing we have in the Bible’s record, giving us additional strength for our faith. Help us read and believe your word in the Bible, with confidence, remembering as written in 2 Timothy 3:16,17, that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Some years ago there was a popular business book with the title, “Hope is Not a Method,” and a few years later there was another business book on the shelves called, “Hope is not a Strategy.” At the time I thought that these concepts made sense from a practical point of view. If all we do is hope for something to happen, it doesn’t really accomplish anything.

However, just because Hope is not a method or strategy, doesn’t mean hope is not an important part of our lives. Hope is an attitude, and a way of living. Particularly as Christians, hope is essential to our way of life.

Hebrews 6:18-19 writes, “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”

Dear Lord, you teach us to have hope in your promises. It is the positive hope in those promises, mostly the promise of eternal life that makes us optimistic and confident as we live our Christian lives each day. Strengthen our hope so that we may live boldly for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hopefully you have experienced those moments occasionally in your life where you can really feel God’s presence and his peace, whether that was resolution of a difficult situation in your life, or seeing the amazing beauty of a sunset, or a prayer after communion.

In the Living Bible version of 2 Peter 1:2 Peter writes “Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better.”

Learning to know him better comes from studying, and meditating on his word, doing what it tells us, and talking with God through prayer.

James says in James 4:8 “And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you.”

Dear Lord, help us to learn to know you better each day, take steps toward you, and give you the opportunity to draw closer to us and give us your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter written by Paul to the people of the church in Corinth. The people in the church there were having troubles that could be expected of a startup church in a large city of people who did not believe in God and lived immoral lives. The people in the church also struggled with the temptations of the world.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul tells them, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong,” which sounds like something a military leader would tell his troops prior to a difficult battle. But then in verse 14 he writes, “And do everything with love.”

These two verses may appear somewhat contradictory, being courageous and strong, but acting with love. However when we look closely, this is exactly how we should be as Christians. We can be strong and courageous, because we have the power of God supporting us, and we can act with love to all, because the love of God is working through us. God’s love, for all people, that was shown in the saving sacrifice of Jesus.

Dear Lord, what great coaching you give to us through Paul in this verse. Help us go out into the world with courage to face our challenges, and love for all, because you first loved us. In Jesus name. Amen.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Great we think, “Faith is confidence in something we want, but don’t see how it can happen.” That doesn’t help us if we don’t know the answer to the question, “How do we get faith?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:17, He answer’s that question, writing, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Do you want faith? Read God’s word and hear it preached.

Dear Lord, You lead us to the answers in the Bible. Help us overcome our resistance to read and hear your word preached, so that we might have the faith in what we hope for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.