The internet has become such an amazing resource for so many productive activities, such as education, collaboration, shopping, sharing and connecting with others. However like so many technological advancements, it is also used for wasteful, destructive, and distasteful activities.

Proverbs 15:14 says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” NLT

It is up to each of us to decide how we will use the resources God gives us. Every day, even each minute, we are making decisions whether to pursue the positive or “feed on trash.” Will we click on that trashy headline about some celebrities’ arrest, or drunken misadventure, or the keep our minds on higher things?

Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Dear Lord thank you for the incredible technologies that we have today, help us to use them for good and focus on the best you things you have created. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the things I look for in scripture is the answer to the question. What am I supposed to be doing? We know that through Jesus we are saved, but then what do we do?

I have found that Philippians 4:4-8 is a great scripture to answer this question.

Paul writes, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 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. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

My simple summary is “Be Happy, Be Nice, Don’t Worry, Pray, Ask for what you want, Be grateful for what you get, Focus on the Good.”

Dear Lord, you give us the path to peace even while here on earth. Help us follow Paul’s guidance that leads us to your “peace that exceeds anything we can understand.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think if you think about it, most of us have had an experience that was challenging or unpleasant, but because of that experience, we were lead into some new opportunity or positive situation, or avoided something even worse. Things like a traffic slowdown prevented us from being involved in an accident, or a minor medical issue that indicates something more serious early enough to resolve.

God talks about this type of situation in Isaiah 65:24, “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”

God also tells us in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” NIV

What a comfort it is to know that God cares about each of us, he knows our prayers before we even ask, and he is right there with us through life’s trials, our own trials, or those we love.

Dear Lord, We thank you that you have control over all of our lives. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Bring comfort and healing to those who face trials in their lives, so they may have your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have learned to read music to play an instrument, or sing, you are familiar with the many small characters, accents, symbols and notations on sheet music that tell you to play faster, louder, with different techniques, or how to navigate the sections of the piece. It is kind of like a code, and if you don’t know it, you cannot really understand how the music should sound.

In a way, this is like the situation in Matthew 13:10-13, “Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.”

The parables are like a code that can only be deciphered by someone who has his or her heart open to receiving God’s message. The more open our heart is to hearing the message, the more understanding we are granted.

Dear Lord, We praise and thank you that you have given us the ability to understand your parables, and have given us the Holy Spirit working in us. Help us use this ability to become more knowledgeable and use this knowledge to help others come to understand as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We have all probably seen the stories of great sports coaches, military leaders, and business executives who led their teams and players to great results and performance; Performance that they probably would not have had without that leader’s support and guidance. As a result, the leader and the players are recognized and awarded.

In a similar way, God has a plan for his creation and each of us have a part in that plan. God also wants us to do great things and succeed while we work our part in His plan.

Psalm 35:27 says, “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

God wants you to be a great Teacher, Lawyer, Engineer, Pilot, Business person, Pastor, Student, Parent, or whatever your calling may be. We need to know and live with the confidence that when we put God’s will first He wants us to succeed.

Dear Lord, what confidence it gives us to know that when we have your will as our priority, you are supporting us and taking pleasure in our success. May our success bring you glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.