We all occasionally wonder why God allows certain things to happen the way they do. Why do bad things happen to us and our friends? Why does he take some people away so early in their lives?

In the Bible also God works in ways that seem strange to us. Why did he choose simple people like Peter to be his disciples? Why did he choose Paul who was a persecutor of Christians, to become one of the most significant Christians?

From our limited viewpoint and simple frame of reference on earth, we can only speculate about God’s reasons.

Isaiah writes in chapter 55:8,9, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

It is good for us to think about and discuss why God may do things the way he does, and possibly he will provide us some enlightenment. Whether he does or not however we can know that all things are working according to his plans.

Dear Lord, We thank you for the knowledge that you have control over all that affects us. Help us play our part with faith in your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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You probably know the story of Cain and Able, the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Able was a shepherd. Able’s offerings were looked on with favor by God, but Cain’s were not. Cain was angry and ended up killing Able.

An interesting part of the story written in the bible before Cain kills Able is in Genesis 4:6,7. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” NIV

The lesson for us is that we need to strive to do what is right. When we do not, we are making ourselves more vulnerable to sin and temptation, which is “crouching at our door.” We are told to “rule over it” which we can do with God’s help.

Dear Lord, Help us stay on the right path, and strive to do what is right, so we can “rule over” the temptations to sin. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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There is an account in 2 Kings 5 about the leader of the army of Aram named Naaman who had leprosy. The king of Aram heard there was a prophet, Elijah, in Israel who could heal diseases. The king thought so highly of his commander that he sent 750 lbs of silver and 150 lbs of gold, worth $5+ million in today’s dollars to the king of Israel asking him to heal his commander.

This very important man came to Elijah’s house with his entire entourage, and expected to see Elijah, but Elijah sent a messenger to meet him instead. The messenger relayed Elijah’s simple instructions for Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy.

This would be like a celebrity entertainer or famous business executive with a incurable disease showing up for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic or John’s Hopkins University and being met by a clerk with message to pick up some over the counter medication at the pharmacy. Obviously Naaman was surprised and offended by the response and was about to leave when one of his men said, in 2 Kings 5:13,14, ” “Sir,if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!”

Just like Naaman, we need to trust God’s power first. Though He may work through means of science and medicine, as Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Dear Lord it is so often difficult for us to simply trust that you will take care of us. We agonize over exactly what to pray for and how we want you to answer. Help us just give our concerns over to you and trust in your power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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At the end of most worship services, the pastor sends the congregation out with a blessing. In Numbers 6 God tells Moses how this blessing should go. You have probably heard these words many times. Verses 24-26 say, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” ESV

In the Living Bible, verse 27 says, “This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

We need to remember these amazing words when receiving this blessing. God said, “and I myself will personally bless them.” What a comfort this can be to those who believe, that God has personally blessed each of us.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the blessing of your love and care for each of us. Help us live lives in bold faith, knowing that you are always there to guide and protect us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I do not speak much French, (almost none) however, I ran across this expression and think it is a wonderful concept and description. Joie de Vivre (pronounced; zhwä-də-ˈvēvr) is defined as “a delight in being alive”

I think Psalm 36:7-9 conveys a similar idea, and attributes the cause of this joy for living to a relationship with God.

It says “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”

God is the source of of our Joie de Vivre. When we put our faith and trust in him, we can have a lighter heart and the Peace and Joy God offers.

Dear Lord, thank you for the Peace and Joy you give when we release our burdens to you and live in your “fountain of life.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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