We never know, at the time, the good that will come from the struggles and tragedies in our lives, but as Christians we do know that God uses “all things” for our good.

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28 “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” And says in verse 31 ” So if God is for us, who can be against us?” NIV

We can proceed in our lives with this power, knowing that if we love God…keeping His will as our priority, we have His almighty power coordinating “all things” for our good.

Dear Lord, we thank you that we know you are there for us; that our struggles and tragedies are not a surprise to you and you are using them for our good. Help us trust your will and be at peace in this knowledge. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Most of us know the story of Jesus tempted in the wilderness in Matthew 4. Verses 4:3-4 write, “During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The scripture that Jesus is referencing is Deuteronomy 8:3, which tells the story about God providing manna to the Jews when they were in the desert after escaping from Egypt.

There are many ways to look at Jesus’ comment, “that people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

It is easy to think the passage was just about spirituality, that Jesus is saying we need to feed our spiritual self with God’s word. However, the reference back to the story in Deuteronomy is a story of God fulfilling the physical needs and wants of the Jews in the desert, not just their spiritual needs. I think we can get this message from Jesus’ words, as well. The message that God’s word, the Bible, will give us direction and wisdom to provide for our physical wants and needs as well as our spiritual needs and wants.

Dear Lord, whether we acknowledge it or not, you provide everything we have. Help us remember to praise and thank you for what you provide us. Help us also to come to you for both our spiritual and physical needs and wants. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you experienced one of those moments when you were working to solve a difficult problem, or learn something very difficult, like a math problem, a riddle, a rubix cube, or a new piece of music. You work and think and practice, then in what seems to be a split second, something clicks and all the pieces come together. You have it figured out.

In John 20:8-9, John is writing about the empty tomb after Jesus’ resurrection, “Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.”

Jesus had told the disciples that he would have to die, but would rise again, many times. However, they could not understand. They had the scriptures, Jesus’ stories and illustrations, the facts of his capture, persecution and crucification but could not put them together. Finally with the empty tomb, all the pieces of information came together in their minds and they understood and believed.

This is why it is so important for us to read and study the Bible, go to worship, and fellowship with other believers. We all have un-answered questions, and just maybe that one piece of information, or inspiration we receive will tie it together and we will understand.

We have the joy of knowing the whole story. Jesus fulfilled the scriptures, was crucified, died, and rose, so that we can be saved and say, “He is Risen….He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!”

Praise and glory to you Lord for the miraculous gift of salvation we receive through Jesus’ Resurrection. Amen.

It is sometimes sad to think about the number of people we encounter in our day to day lives that have not accepted, or may not even have been exposed to God’s Salvation through Jesus. There is a constant battle going on for the hearts and souls of everyone, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

It is not possible to sit down and witness to everyone we encounter, but we can demonstrate God’s love with each interaction we have with others. 1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

We can never know what snowball effect a kind word or action may have on another person. I think the expression, “we may be the only Jesus someone may ever see,” is a good reminder of how to approach others.

Dear Lord, You have conquered sin and the devil, and we only need to believe and trust in you to be on your winning side. Help us to show your love to others in our daily lives so that we might be part your plan to bring them over to you as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have always found it interesting but depressing how many of the popular TV shows revolve around the dysfunctional lives of people. I have to admit to watching some of these shows, occasionally, and it is so apparent how most of the character’s problems result from their own bad decisions and behavior.

Although these are fictional stories, in our day to day lives we see similar patterns. So often people’s struggles in life can be traced back to bad decisions and behaviors.

In contrast, when we follow God’s guidelines for our behavior described throughout the Bible, life tends to work much better.

David writes in Psalm 19:7-8, “God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the direction on living our lives that you give us in the Bible. Help us have the will to follow your ways which will give us the protection, wisdom, joy and light that you promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.