Are you afraid to go in the basement with the lights off? Or take out the garbage late at night? Most of us have an inherent fear or uneasiness about the dark. Isn’t it interesting how with the lights on, the same basement is not scary, and there is no fear walking down the driveway in the daylight.

Jesus said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Our life without Jesus is like walking in the dark basement or dark night. The Devil, the ruler of this dark world, is working to keep us from finding the light. With Jesus, the light of the world, we do not need to fear the darkness.

Dear Lord, help us remember that following you is what lights our world and removes the fear of the unknown darkness. Help us share this light with others that they may know the peace it brings as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is often a perception that “good” people, who live moral, ethical, and honorable lives are not tempted like those who say they don’t have the will power to resist the temptation to do immoral, unethical, and dishonorable things.

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.”

The difference with people who do not “give in” to temptation is that they find the way to avoid or evade the temptation, and they trust in God’s help to resist.

Dear Lord, we are sorry that we often fail and “give in” to temptation. Forgive us, and give us the strength and desire to avoid, evade and resist temptations to do wrong in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Biblical times, the concept of giving someone a blessing was a big deal. When it was God doing the blessing, it was God showing his special favor. When it was one person, like Abraham blessing Isaac, or Isaac blessing Jacob, it was that person calling down God’s favor on the one he was blessing.

In Numbers 6:22-27 God tells Moses how Aaron is to bless his people and why. The Living Bible translates it like this “Now the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to give this special blessing to the people of Israel: ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’ This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

There are many different translations of this passage, and all get the message across, that God wants to protect us and show us his favor. He wants to be happy with us, and he wants us to have the peace that comes from trusting him.

In modern times the pastor in our Church will say this blessing, just like Aaron, calling down God’s blessings on us. It is always a comforting part of a service. When we tell someone “God Bless,” we are doing the same, asking for God to show them his favor and peace.

Dear Lord, We thank you for your blessing and for the guidance you gave us through this story of Moses and Aaron. Bless those we love, and help us make a point of asking for your blessing on them when we see them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have ever studied strategy you may have come accross a few key concepts. SunTsu an ancient Chinese military leader wrote the in The Art of War, that the outcome of battles is determined before they begin. Other modern military leaders have discussed that using “overwhelming force” is the only way to approach going into battle.

We must look at our daily battles in the same way. Our “overwhelming force” against the temptations of the Devil is our faith in God. Paul writes in Ephesians 6. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.”

The Devils temptations can be more than we can handle on our own, particularly the terrible temptations of addictions and psychological problems, but with faith in our Lord’s mighty power we have the overwhelming force on our side.

Dear Lord, we cannot begin to understand how powerful you are. Please help us have the faith to know that with Your help we can overcome anything. In Jesus’ name. Amen

I heard an interesting way to think about and approach issues in the world. “Look at the world through the lens of the Bible, rather than looking at the Bible through the lens of the world.” The point being that we should take the Bible as the infallible truth, and be suspect of ideas we hear in the world that contradict what we read in the bible. So often we are led in the other direction; dismissing the Bible based on worldly “knowledge.”

Yes, there are mysteries in nature, and incomplete details in the Bible accounts of history, that we have yet to understand. However, it is most important to put our faith in the right place, God and his word, and be skeptical of seeming contradictions that are “discovered,” particularly when they are “discovered” by people who reject that God exists.

Psalm 111:10 says “The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Romans 1:19-20. “For the truth about God is known to them instinctively; God has put this knowledge in their hearts. Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse when they stand before God at Judgment Day”

Dear Lord give us the faith to believe your word first and use the intelligence you gave us to explore and understand your creation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen