I heard someone say once, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” I had to think about that for a bit. I think there is truth to this concept when we think about the principles we live by. If we are honest, in one area of our lives, we will likely be honest in others. If we are caring and compassionate in one area of our lives, we are likely to be so in others as well. However, the opposite is likely true

In Luke 16:10, Jesus tells us a similar concept, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

We need to look at ourselves and evaluate whether we are living up to the standards we desire. If we see that we are slipping in small areas, we are probably slipping in big areas as well.

Dear Lord, help us examine our thoughts and actions to make sure that we are striving to be the person who can be trusted with little and with much. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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As some of you may know, I was a military fighter pilot for a long time, and as a result, I was required to maintain a high level security clearance. The security clearance level required me to have a background investigation every few years, during which, an investigator would come around and talk to my neighbors, and friends, to determine if I had any vulnerabilities like financial problems, infidelity, drinking problems, etc. These types of problems could allow someone to take advantage of me through blackmail or other coercion and manipulate me into sharing secrets or other acts against the country.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul is explaining to Timothy the criteria he should have for selecting elders and leaders of the church. Paul writes in verses 6,7, “An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.”

Just like the risks of manipulation by the enemies of our country that a soldier may face, we as Christians must be wary of the manipulation the devil will try to use against us. The devil will try all kinds of tricks, manipulating our fear, pride, jealousy, insecurity, looking for weakness to get us to compromise ourselves. Elders and church leaders must keep an even higher vigilance, because if they are manipulated by the devil, they may influence others in the church to go astray.

Dear Lord, we know we can resist any temptation when we rely on your power. Protect us from the deception of the devil, and help us protect each other from getting manipulated off your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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There is a misconception, which might even be considered a stereotype, that being a Christian means one is poor and struggling, with nothing to his or her name, living in lack. I believe that this is another ploy by the devil to lead people away from God and Christianity.

Although Christianity is definitely not about gaining material wealth, the Lord provides for the needs of those who put their trust in him.

There are many Christians, who put their faith, hope and trust in, and commit their plans to God, and God has blessed them with much earthly wealth. Church congregations need to remember this as well. We need to trust that God will provide what we need to do his work.

Psalm 31:19 says “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” and Psalm 34:9 “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” NIV

Dear Lord, help us remember to count on you for our needs. Help us remember and believe that you want to provide us good things which will also allow us to use them for your work. In Jesus’ name we pray.

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Have you seen those cartoons showing the character sawing a tree branch while sitting on the branch, cutting on the trunk side of where he is sitting? After a couple cuts, he saws through the branch, but falls along with it.

This is similar to what happens when we do things we know we shouldn’t. By doing things we know are wrong, we undermine our faith and begin distancing ourselves from God. When we do, the devil, described at times as “the accuser” works on us with guilt, trying to make us feel unworthy of reconciliation with God. In contrast, when we exercise our faith, by doing what we know is right, even when it is difficult or scary, we are relying on God and making our faith stronger.

In his letter to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:19, Paul writes, “Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right. For some people have disobeyed their consciences and have deliberately done what they knew was wrong. It isn’t surprising that soon they lost their faith in Christ after defying God like that.”

Dear Lord, help us choose to do the right thing, led by the conscience that you gave us. Help us remember that it is always better to do the difficult right thing than the easy wrong, but also know that you are always waiting for us to return to you if we stumble. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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If you have ever played the poker game, Texas Hold ’em, you’ve realized that the game is not so much about what cards you or your opponents have, it is more about being able to read the actions and body language of your opponents.

In a similar way, much of being a Christian is not about what is happening physically, It is about what is going on spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 Paul writes, “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.”

I have heard this concept described, “the main battle is supernatural.” So the tools we need to defend ourselves and win this battle are spiritual.

Dear Lord, Sometimes it is so apparent when we are being attacked spiritually, but sometimes it is subtle. Help us have the strength and faith to overcome those spiritual forces which try to destroy our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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