You have likely heard of “pass interference” in American football, when one player physically interferes with an opposing player’s ability to catch a pass.

A close reading of the parable of the spreading of the seed in Luke 8:4-15 tells us that the Devil tries to interfere with people’s acceptance of God’s word. You may recall the parable, the farmer spreads seed, some falls on the hard footpath, some on rocky ground, some in the thorns, and some on good soil.

In verse 12 Jesus begins to explain the parable and he says “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”

The Devil is out there trying to interfere with our hearing and accepting God’s word. We need to realize this, and defend ourselves with the tools God has given us; The Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and fight back with the Sword of the Spirit that is the word of God, as described in Ephesians 6.

Dear Lord, as we say in the Lord’s Prayer, “deliver us from evil,” Help us rely on you to defend against the Devil’s schemes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

One of the complexities of Christianity is addressing sinful behavior. Some people make it a high priority to point out the sinful behavior of others, and that pushes people away. On the other side, some people don’t want to “judge” others, so are reluctant to address other’s sinful behavior.

In Ephesians 4, Paul is explaining how great it will be when the people of the church grow in their faith and knowledge and become “mature in the Lord.” What he writes in Ephesians 4:15 struck me as the way we should handle difficult conversations as Christians, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

“Speak the truth in Love.” If only we could have this discipline to hold fast to right and wrong, the truth, but share and communicate with love and grace.

Dear Lord, you show us how to speak the truth in love through Your life in the Bible. Help us learn from the lessons, and show love to all, but never compromise our conviction and faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Here we are in a new year, 2023. What a great time to recognize and revisit what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Our new life began at that point we became believers in Jesus Christ. This was prophesied by God through Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart – I will give you new and right desires – and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stoney hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.”

Let us look at this new year as an opportunity to live as the new people God made us, and exercise the hearts of love God has given us.

Dear Lord, thank you for new days and new years for us to use as a starting point to refresh and renew our lives. Help us leave behind the old ways that did not follow your will, and live with a renewed commitment to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Luke 2:25-35 tells the story of Simeon. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. One day the Spirit led him to the temple, the same day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be blessed.

When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he said, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations and he is the glory of your people Israel.”

Simeon declares what Jesus and the Apostles teach years later, that Jesus is the salvation for all people, not just the Jews who were God’s chosen people. And that Jesus would reveal God to the world.

Lord we praise and thank you, like Simeon, for the salvation we have in Jesus. Give us confidence, like Simeon, to trust in your promises to be with us, protect and comfort us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of the challenges I have occasionally, and you may as well, is praying for something, but worrying that God may not answer my prayer the way I would like. For instance, traveling and the flight is delayed, I pray that I don’t miss my connecting flight because I would miss an important family event and disappoint my family.

Another example we have all encountered, we, a friend or family member have a unusual ailment and go see the doctor. We pray that it is routine simple issue, but we fear God’s plan may allow it to be serious.

In Daniel 3 there is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were young Jewish men during the time the Jews were captive in Babylon. There was a law during that time that required everyone to bow down and worship a statue the King had designated. Because of their obedience to God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down and worship the statue. As a result, they were to be thrown into the furnace. When accused by the King, they replied in verse 17,18, “If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But if he doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.”

The key here is their comment, even “if He doesn’t” they will remain obedient. This is how we need to think when we pray. Even if God doesn’t answer our prayer the way we want, we will trust him. I am praying that traffic will not make me late, but even if I am, I trust that God has a reason. I am praying that I do well on this test, but even if I don’t, I am trusting God.

Dear Lord, How wonderful it is to know that you have control of all things that affect us, so that even if the things we pray for are not your plan, we can still trust in your love for us. Help us pray with confidence for what we desire but pray that your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.