I have not seen a scientific study on the subject, but it seems to me that people’s expectations and attitude have an effect on how things work for them. When people tend to expect things will work out, and are optimistic, it seems like things tend to go well for them. On the other hand, people that tend to see and talk about the negative results, and tend to expect that things will not work out, tend to get what they expect.

The Bible appears to allude to this in a couple passages. Proverbs 11:27 says, “Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.” Though used in a little different context, Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

As Christians, we know God loves us, and is watching over us. We also know that we are saved for eternity. With this foundation, how can we not be optimistic and move forward expecting good things.

Dear Lord, you have offered peace to those who follow you, and we should have joy knowing that you care for us. Help us move forward therefore, seeking good as Proverbs says and expect the favor you promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Often in life things occur that we cannot understand; Times when there are terrible tragedies that affect thousands of people, and times when something unexplainable happens to one person. Even as faithful Christians we wonder how these events could be something God intended.

There are all also vast and fundamental questions that remain unanswered about our universe and our physical beings.

Ecclesiastes 8:17 says, “Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.”

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

In the years people have been around, we have discovered many things about God’s creation, but when we stop and think about the huge gaps in our knowledge we can only step back an be in awe of God. How can we not believe in God? And once believing in God, the good news of salvation through Jesus is rational.

Dear Lord, our minds can barely begin to understand your power, wisdom and glory, and how humbled we should be, knowing that you care for us enough to save us. Help us find the peace and joy in knowing this and also fear and respect Your power and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

What does it mean to be generous? One way to look at it is putting someone else’s priority ahead of ours.

For those who travel regularly, can you picture getting ready to board an airplane, knowing that there is always a shortage of overhead bin space for carry-on bags. Generosity is patiently waiting to board the airplane rather than anxiously scrambling to the front of the boarding line to make sure we get a place for our luggage.

How about driving in traffic? Generosity is consciously providing space for that other driver to pull into your lane, even though he or she waited until the last opportunity to merge so they can get in front of everyone else. Or, walking by the Salvation Army ringer during Christmas, realizing you don’t have any change or singles in your pocket but you have a larger bill, and putting it into the bucket. There are unlimited examples of how we can be generous.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38 that when we are generous, we get more than we give, “For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”

Dear Lord, help us to be generous, which is just our reflecting and sharing the love you have given us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

2 Timothy is a letter Paul wrote to Timothy while being imprisoned by the Roman Emperor Nero. He was quite sure he was not ever going to be free again, and was giving Timothy guidance on continuing his mission.

In 2 Timothy 4:3,4, he tells Timothy, “For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says, but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas.”

I think if you look around at events in our present day, Paul’s words could easily apply to modern times.

In verse 5 he tells Timothy what to do. “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

This guidance applies to us as well as it did to Timothy. We need to stand steady and not be afraid of suffering for the Lord. For us, that suffering is not imprisonment or torture, it is likely to only be the “embarrassment” of believing in Biblical teaching, Christian values, and living them.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the words of Paul, encouraging us to hold to your values and beliefs. Help us stand steady, fearless in our faithful Christian lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

When we need God’s help, the essence of having faith is trusting he will help us, without knowing how.

There is a story about Elijah in 1 Kings 17:8-16 that describes this. God tells Elijah to go to a town called Zaraphath where a widow will feed him. Elijah finds this widow and asks her for a piece of bread. The widow tells Elijah, that she had no bread, and only enough flour for one meal for herself and her son. She expected that would be their last meal after which they would have no more food and would die.

In verse 13-16, Elijah says, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”

She could not have known how things would work out, but she trusted and did what God had told her through Elijah. There was always enough food.

It is often very difficult to believe problems will be solved, troubles will be avoided, and things will work out for the best when we don’t know how they could. Those are the most important times to have faith, because those are the times God is the only way.

Dear Lord, You control all things and all circumstances. Help us remember to ask for your help with our challenges, particularly when they seem impossible. Help us believe that you have a way even when we cannot see the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.