Today was a beautiful day where I live; A great day for a run, walk, ride or other workout. Most of us have considered diet plans, workout plans, and vitamins at some point in our lives, Why do we do these things? To look better, to feel better, to live longer? All of which are good reasons.

One other reason we should include is written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where he writes, “Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.” TLB

So when we are thinking about what we do with our bodies, we should remember that our body is God’s body, and we should treat it with that in mind.

Dear Lord, thank you that we live in a time where we have so much opportunity to keep our bodies fit and healthy. Help use to use our bodies in ways that bring honor and glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the most important things in life is to control your own mind. If we just let our minds wander, most people’s thoughts will turn negative and often toward sinful things. This is made even worse when we read or watch negative news stories, TV shows, and internet posts, that sensationalize tragedy, immorality and evil. When we do these things, we are handing over the steering wheel of our mind to these things, and frankly to the Devil.

We need to take the wheel of our own minds, and drive it toward good things. Paul writes in Romans 8:6, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

Taking control of our minds includes controlling the things to which we are exposing ourselves. Paul also 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, You have created so much beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and love for us to fill our lives and thoughts with. Help us take control of our minds and thoughts so that we may stay on the path to life and peace, and be fitting Christian examples for others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is amazing to think about the changes that have occurred in recent years, and in our lifetimes. The first hand-held personal mobile phone was available just 35 years ago, and the first IPhone was introduced only 12 years ago, now virtually everyone in the developed world has one. The internet as we know it is only about 25 years old. The first earth orbiting satellite was launched in 1957, and now there are nearly 2000 orbiting the earth. 150 years ago, there was no electricity, there were no cars, and only 40 million people lived in the entire US (about the same as California’s current population)

As amazing these changes are, things are changing even faster every day. The speed of change can be scary to us, however, we know one thing that does not change. In Malachi 3:6 God tells us “I the Lord do not change.” and Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

We can have confidence that the promises God has made and the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ has not changed for thousands of years, and will not change.

Dear Lord, when all earthly things around us are changing, what peace and joy it provides us knowing that you and your love for us will not change. With thanks and praise, we pray. Amen.

Some years ago there was a popular business book with the title, “Hope is Not a Method,” and a few years later there was another business book on the shelves called, “Hope is not a Strategy.” At the time I thought about those statements, and thought they made sense. If all we do is hope for something to happen, it doesn’t really accomplish anything.

However, just because Hope is not a method, doesn’t mean hope is not an important part of our lives. Hope is an attitude, and a way of living. Particularly as Christians, hope is essential to our way of life.

Hebrews 6:18-19 writes, “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”

Dear Lord, you teach us to have hope in your promises. It is the positive hope in those promises, mostly the promise of eternal life that makes us optimistic and confident as we live our Christian lives each day. Strengthen our hope so that we may live boldly for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

As Christians we believe and frankly we know that God hears our prayers and answers them.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Never stop praying.”

James tells us in James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

I know many of you need prayers for help and healing. I pray specifically for those of you whom I personally know are facing struggles. I would also encourage you to let your Pastor’s, churches’ and friends know your needs so that they may also pray for you.

Dear Lord, we know you hear our prayers, we know that you have complete control of all things. Give your physical and emotional healing to all those we pray for now. May their recovery bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.