I have read that excess focus on the past can cause depression. We have probably all done things in the past that we wished we would not have done. In some cases, thoughts of these past actions, may constantly trouble some of us.

As Christians, we no longer need to think about or dwell on these past actions.

Paul writes about the new covenant we have with God through Jesus Christ, in Hebrews 8:12. He writes, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Jesus Christ took the burden of our sins for us. Accept His grace and let them go.

The past is not yours it belongs to God.

Dear Lord, What peace and joy we have knowing that you took the burden of our past failures on yourself, and we no longer need to carry this. Help us truly repent and accept your saving grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What are people really saying when they say, “It’s not realistic?” I think what they are really saying is, “I don’t believe it is possible.”

It is kind of academic for us to believe that God created the universe and everything in it, parted the red sea for Moses, raised Jesus from the dead, and the many other biblical miracles. However, when it comes to believing God will do supernatural things in our lives our belief in God’s power is put to the test. Do we put more weight on what we understand in the natural world, and what we think are the probabilities of certain things occurring, or do we put our belief in the power of God to make things work out.

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

In Exodus 4 God tells Moses to go talk to Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites leave. Moses comes up with all types of excuses why he cannot, including his poor speaking abilities. God tells him, in 4:11,12, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

In the same way, the message to us is, “Who determines, how much money you have, whether you get promoted, if your medical problem will be resolved, if your business succeeds, if you will get into that university, or any earthly concern?” God does. It is not for us to figure out “how,” it is our job to believe.

Dear Lord, Sometimes we have trouble remembering that you control everything and have the power to do everything. Strengthen our faith so that we will have the belief in you to act boldly in our Christian lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of greed”

What is greed? One dictionary definition is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed”

I think the key words in the definition are “selfish and excessive” When we always focus on what we have and worry excessively about losing it, or diluting it by giving some away, whether it be our money, our time, “our” parking place, “our” position in the line, we are giving in to greed.

To guard against greed, I like to remember this part of a well known hymn, “All that we have is thine alone, a trust O Lord from Thee.”

Dear Lord, help us remember that you gave us everything we have, and your desire is that we use it to love and serve you and our neighbor. Help us always keep this in our minds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mark 9:14-29 is the account of Jesus casting a demon out of a boy who is possessed. Verses 22-24 begin with the boy’s father asking Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

This happens to us as well. “I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” We find ourselves in a difficult financial situation, legal problem, or a situation where there is just not enough time for things to work out, so we pray for God to help, but deep down we have doubts. In those times we need to remember that we don’t have to figure out how God will resolve it, we just need to believe he will.

I like the expression, “God can find a way even when we don’t see a way.”

Let’s all remember to put our belief in God’s power, and when we don’t see how things can turn out well, remember the words “help my unbelief.”

Dear Lord, We know you have all power. Help us truly believe this when it comes to our own situations, that you can find a way when we cannot see a way. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible writes about angels in many places, and describes how they are here with us on earth, bring us messages, and intervene to protect us.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. ”

And in Psalm 91:11, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

We may never have an encounter with an angel, or not realize we did, but we know God sends them here to support and protect us. We may never know the things angels have done to influence events to protect us but we know that they can and do.

Dear Lord, the angels are another mystery you have left for us to consider, we thank you for the promise of sending them to protect us when we acknowledge you. What an assurance it is to know they are here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.