We all have had those experiences where we say or think, “I just can’t take it anymore” Whether it is a difficult situation at work, overwhelmed with the housework, homework, challenging people, struggling with finances, addictions, or health problems. When we want to give up, what we really need to do is to give our problems over to God.

God wants us at the place where we submit ourselves and our plans to him. Ideally we can do this without needing to get to the end of our rope, but many times the only way we get to that point where we submit to God is when we have no place else to go. Paul tells us, however, what God told him. 2 Corinthians 12:9, God said, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When we are weak and discouraged, we need to as 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast all our cares on Him, for he cares for you.” In our weakness, God’s love and power will be there.

Dear Lord, help us to remember that we don’t have to wait until we want to give up in order to come to you and surrender ourselves, but when we do come to that low point, we thank you that your grace and power will be right there for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We should never underestimate the value and power of reading the Bible, God’s word. God speaks to us and works in us when we read it.

God says through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 55:10-11 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmers and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

When you are looking for answers, comfort, direction, or for a way to help others, look in your Bible.

Dear Lord, what an amazing way you created to connect with us, teach us, and keep us on the right path with the Bible. Remind us to use it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

There is a power in what we say. It is like putting our signature on a contract. We can have a contract in front of us to purchase a car, or sell our house, or purchase a business, and that document may have been drafted in great detail with every contingency considered, but until we sign it, it has no power.

I think in some ways our beliefs are like this. We can think about what we believe, and know all the related scriptures, but when we say it out loud, we are putting the power in our belief.

Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew 17:20, “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.”

When we say negative things like, “I can’t figure this out,” or “I always get this wrong,” “I am a terrible test taker,” “I am bad at math,” “I am always late,” we are putting power into these beliefs, and keeping ourselves in those holes.

Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” If we believe this, we should say things like, “Lord willing, I will get an A,” or “I will get accepted to that school,” “I will make the sale,” “my friend will accept my offer to come to church with me on Sunday.”

Saying what we believe, out loud, strengthens our faith and shows our commitment, which is one reason we say the creed every Sunday. “I believe in God the Father Almighty…..”

Dear Lord, our power comes from you. Help us believe that we can do all things through you, and say so with our words. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mark 5 includes a number of well known accounts of Jesus’ miracles. In verses 21-43 Jesus was asked by Jairus, a leader of a local synagogue (church), to visit his home to heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was traveling, he was interrupted by the crowds. Before Jesus and Jairus reached Jairus’ home, messengers arrived to tell him that his daughter had died.

How difficult this experience must have been for Jairus. He came to Jesus having heard that he was healing people around the countryside. As Jesus had become a “celebrity” Jairus must have been hopeful and optimistic when Jesus agreed to come to his home. Then to have Jesus delayed in the crowd and then ultimately hear that his daughter had died must have crushed his hope and spirit.

Verses 35-36 say, “They told him, Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now. Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Don’t we all have those situations when we could lose our hope for a positive outcome. At those times Jesus says to us, “Don’t be afraid, Just have faith.”

We don’t know what God has in store, but we do know that he loves us and has plans for our good.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put our faith and trust in you even when it looks to us like all hope is lost. You have powers we cannot imagine and plans we would not expect. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you ever have doubts or questions about your Christian faith? I think everyone occasionally does . The reasons may vary, but I think it often is a result of trying to figure it all out. Trying to understand things like, why something bad happened to us or a loved one, or how Salvation works, or other questions that cannot be answered with certainty.

Peter tells us that this questioning is not unique to us. The prophets even had questions.

First he says, we need to stay faithful through the questions and difficult times.

1 Peter 1:7-9 he says, “So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

And then, he says, like the prophets, we may not understand the whole picture.

1 Peter 1:10-12 “This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you.”

It wouldn’t be faith if we had all the answers.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the insights you give us in your word, the Bible. Help us stay strong and trust you, even when we don’t understand the whole picture. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.