Why do we do what we do? Sometimes, it is a reflex, a learned response that becomes somewhat automatic, sometimes it is an emotional reaction that we don’t control, and sometimes we do things because we think through our reason’s and consciously take actions. Regardless of why we do what we do, as adults we are responsible for those actions. I think most would also agree that in the absence of a disability, adults should be able to control their actions with their thoughts.

There is competition for our thoughts. Our human nature is regularly trying to get us to focus on satisfying our short term desires, pleasures, and greed. As Christians, the Holy Spirit in us is encouraging us to focus on the things of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, and Salvation.

Paul writes in Romans 8:5-8, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”

What we let control our minds, also controls our actions. Letting our human nature control our thoughts interferes with and possibly destroys our relationship with God.

Dear Lord, by your grace we are saved and are given the Holy Spirit to live in us. Help us give control of our minds to your Spirit’s guidance, and have the courage and will to turn away from the evil and immoral behaviors that often pass for “normal” in our sinful nature. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

When the police encounter a situation too big for one officer, he or she will call for backup. The military uses QRF’s, Quick Reaction Forces, or Aircraft that are on “Alert” ready to support others in need.

In a similar way God says in Psalm 50:15, “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” God is always there for us if we honestly call on him. He will not ignore us. This is not to say that life will be without challenges. Often challenges or tests are what God gives us to bring us closer to him. Sometimes we have been the ones ignoring God, and the only way for him to get our attention is to put a challenge in our lives.

More importantly however, is not just rescue and help in our lives on earth, but rescue of our souls. In Romans 10:13 Paul writes, ” For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God will not ignore people who call on him for salvation.

Dear Lord, Thank you that we can always know that you are there for us in our times of need, and that through Jesus Christ anyone who calls can be saved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is it wrong to wear blue jeans to church? How about spending a million dollars on a car? Is eating certain things wrong? How about drinking alcohol?

These are kind of trick questions, but considering them is a good exercise for us. Paul writes in Romans 14:1, “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” He goes on in verse 10, “So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and verse 13, “so let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Finally in verse 15:2 he says “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” NLT

Each of us needs to follow the conscience God gave us when answering these types of questions, for ourselves. When interacting with others, however, we need to remember that everyone is on his or her own faith journey. Paul says in Romans 14:17,18 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God.” NLT

Dear Lord, It is hard for some of us to suppress the critical nature to judge others. You have given each of us a conscience to judge ourselves, and You have also given others a conscience to judge themselves. Help us focus our actions more on how we can help others feel Your love, and as they grow closer to you, they will listen to your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Happy New Year!

This time of year many people are preparing resolutions for their lives in the new year.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:5-7 about the characteristics we could include in our resolutions. He writes: “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” NLT

Dear Lord, as we begin a New Calendar Year, thank you for your guidance, promises, and support. Help us establish our foundation on You so that we may set and achieve goals that glorify You. Give us your peace this year. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have always been interested in the evidence that supports what we believe as the Bible creation account, and the conflicting stories we hear about the origin of everything. In order to explore this more, I read a book called Creation and Evolution; Compatible or in Conflict, by Jay Seegert. This book is a well researched and easy to read assembly of the information and perspectives on this subject. I found it very helpful in understanding the evidence.

The conclusion I took from the book is that as Christians, we believe the Bible story of creation, because we believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, though our belief is supported more and more by archaeological and astronomical discoveries. Evolution, the Big Bang Theory, and other ideas for the origin of the universe, the earth, and the origin of life are as much a religious belief as Christianity. The people who promote these ideas often start with the assumption that God cannot be part of the origin, so they must come up with some other concept then try to find data that support it. Our growing understanding of the complexity of life and the universe make it more and more difficult for them to rule out the Creator.

Arguments against God and Creation have been ongoing since Bible times, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.” and in Romans 1:20 he writes, ” 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” TLB

Dear Lord, We thank you for people who will take the time and effort to help us understand the evidence that exists to support our belief in the validity of the Bible. Please send your Spirit to those who question your word, and let them know You and know that the Bible is your word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.