Today is Election Day in the U.S.A., and though many are anxious about the outcome, we know that our hope is not in that candidate, party or proposal, it is in our Lord Jesus.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And also in Romans 8:28 he writes, “and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Regardless of the results of this election, we know God has power over all and therefore we do not need to be anxious.

Dear Lord, on this Election Day we thank you for the amazing country and freedom with which we have been blessed. We pray for your hand of guidance and strength on the USA. Give us leaders that help advance your kingdom in this world, and protect us all from the destructive power of the evil one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have listened to many motivational speakers you have probably heard the illustration of the commander of a conquesting army, who tells his troops to “burn the boats” when they arrive at the shores of the new land; As a result, they are committed and there is no turning back. They must succeed or die trying.

In a similar way, we need to look at our faith in God as a “burn the boats” faith. We put our faith and trust in God, and burn our doubts and half hearted belief on the shore. Like the song says “I am trusting thee Lord Jesus, trusting only thee.”

Jesus says in Mark 11:22-24, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Dear Lord, How often the limits of our belief are what prevent You from answering our prayers. Help us truly put our trust in Your power, without doubt. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

You may remember the scenes in the movie Karate Kid, where Mr. Miyagi, the older Japanese man who promised to teach Karate to Daniel, the boy and main character of the movie, in order to defend himself from other boys who were bullying him. Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel, but makes Daniel agree he will do whatever Mr. Miyagi asks, without question. Daniel agrees, and the first thing Daniel is told to do is wash and wax Mr. Miyagi’s cars, with a specific motion, he is told “wax on, wax off.” After that, Daniel is told to sand Mr. Miyagi’s deck, again precisely as Mr. Miyagi describes. Finally, Daniel is told to paint Mr. Miyagi’s fence and house, also in precisely the way described. After several days of these chores, Daniel is frustrated and confused by what he has been doing, which appears to have nothing to do with Karate. He complains to Mr. Miyagi, who in a dramatic scene of attacking blows, ties all the chores into defensive Karate movements, and the reasons for all the hard work and frustration becomes clear to Daniel.

In John 13, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. When Peter resists, thinking this was disrespectful and wrong, Jesus tells him in John 13:7, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Many things in our lives are like this, we are following what we think is the right path, doing the right things, and difficult circumstances occur that we cannot understand. At those times, we should remember these words of Jesus, “…later you will understand.” We should stay on course, doing the right thing, with our faith firmly in Jesus’ protection and guidance.

Dear Lord, so often we cannot understand what you are teaching us through our experiences. We can know, however, that you are in control, and we will understand some day. Help us remember this and stay in faith doing your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the things I look for in scripture is the answer to the question. What am I supposed to be doing? We know that through Jesus we are saved, but then what do we do?

I have found that Philippians 4:4-8 is a great scripture to answer this question.

Paul writes, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 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.”

My simple summary is “Be Happy, Be Nice, Don’t Worry, Pray, Ask for what you want, Be grateful for what you get, Focus on the Good.”

Dear Lord, you give us the path to peace even while here on earth. Help us follow Paul’s guidance that leads us to your “peace that exceeds anything we can understand.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Our doctors tell us to exercise in order to improve and maintain our physical condition, which is a good practice. In the same way we need to work on our spiritual fitness to build our knowledge and understanding of scripture, faith in God’s support, and strength to resist temptation.

Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” NLT

What I find interesting about this passage is that it addresses how working on being a better Christian is not just about salvation and life after earthly death, it is also about a better life here on earth, reinforcing the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, ” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” NIV

Dear Lord, help us build our Christian muscles and endurance so that we may experience and the joy of life following you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.