There is an expression I have heard from some veteran public figures, which is, “Don’t read your own press clippings.” The reason is that they don’t give you an accurate picture. You are not as bad as your critics say, and you are not as good as your fans may say.

It is interesting that thousands of years ago Solomon wrote in Proverbs 27:21, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.”

It is arguably more difficult to maintain one’s priorities and character when everything is going great and people think you are amazing, than it is when things are going terribly. When people praise us, it is easy to let it build up our egos, and make us begin to feel superior to others. Before this happens, we should think about where our ability to succeed originates. God gave us the talents and opportunities to allow our success. We should direct the glory toward him.

I have noticed this frequently with some Christian athletes, who make an obvious gesture to point toward the sky after a great play, giving God the credit and thanks for their successful performance.

There is a Latin phrase that I like to keep in mind when I do something “praiseworthy.” Soli Deo Gloria, which means to God Alone the Glory.

Dear Lord, You gave us the ability to achieve. Help us pass the test of being praised, and remember we are not better than others, we are blessed by you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Matthew Chapter 4 and Luke Chapter 4 record the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. There are many things we can learn from these stories, and I would like to point out a few.

First, Matthew 4:1 says, “Jesus was led into the wilderness by the spirit to be tempted there.” Sometimes even when we are doing the right thing and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will be brought to a situation where we will be tested.

Second, The story lists three specific temptations, hunger, protection, and power. In each of these temptations Jesus resists the temptation with scripture as his weapon to fight back. For instance, Matthew 4:10 writes, “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”

The more scripture we know and remember, the more ammunition we will have to resist our temptations.

Third, after Jesus resisted the temptations, the Devil went away. Matthew 4:11 writes, “Then the Devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” If we resist, with God’s help we can over-come all temptation. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

This story is great demonstration of how Jesus was truly a man and faced temptation like us, and also how we are to deal with the temptations that attack us.

Dear Lord, We know that all temptations can be overcome if we rely on you. Help us build up our ability to resist temptation with knowledge of your word and trust in your power to overcome any temptation we may experience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, what we call the Lord’s Prayer, in Luke 11. In verse 2 Jesus says, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name…” Jesus teaches them to start their prayer with praise and acknowledgment of the power and awe of God. In a similar way, David prays in 2 Samuel 7, going on in many verses about how great and amazing God is.

There is a point to beginning our prayers this way, acknowledging the power, glory and amazement of God. It puts God in the proper place above us in our minds, so that we bring our requests and concerns to God, humbly recognizing that he knows better than we do, and we submit our desires to his will. As Jesus’ tells us in Matthew 6:8, God knows what we want before we ask.

Dear Lord, How amazing and almighty you are thank you for hearing our prayers, and giving us what we need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think there are two types of belief for Christians. First, and most important, is the belief that Jesus Christ is God, and that his death and resurrection are the ransom for our salvation.

For many of us, the second belief is the hard one. That is the belief that God knows and cares for each of us, and He can and will intervene in our and other’s lives.

Jesus tells the Father of a demon possessed boy in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” I believe the father’s reply is what we often feel, when we want and hope for something badly. He says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Believing changes how we act. When we believe, we act with confidence, with an expectation that God will intervene and make things work out.

Dear Lord, Help us with our unbelief. Help us realize that you want us to believe with confidence, and expect your answers to our prayers. For your answers, favor, grace and salvation, we thank you Lord. Amen.

Though many times we feel we are struggling through challenges alone, barely hanging onto hope of rescue. We must remember, God knows. He is there with us and will bring us through in the best way for us.

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” Psalm 91:14-15

Dear Lord, thank you for always being with us and supporting us in our troubles. When things seem hopeless, remind us to call on you, and believe your promise to rescue us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.