1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Yesterday in a Florida school we witnessed another example of the evil that the devil can convince men to conduct. It is easy for these things to stir up hate in us, but we must not hate. When we hate, we are being taken over by the same evil power that motivates those who murder.

How easy it is for me to say, when I did not lose loved ones in this attack. It is hard for me even to imagine loosing a child like this.

We all have heard Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies.” Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Our anger should be toward the source of the evil, the devil. Our best defense and offense is a strong faith in God, who has complete control of all. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.” and verse 11, “Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord” We don’t know why God let this happen, but we must remember, He is God and we are not.

Dear Lord, Comfort those who have lost loved ones in this terrible act. We know you have control over all things, but we struggle sometimes to understand why this type of thing could be in your plans. Help us have faith and trust in you anyway, and share that faith with others. Maybe this tragedy can open hearts to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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You may have heard this before, and if you haven’t, it is something worth thinking about. “Faith is the currency of heaven.” Wait, you might say, you can’t buy things with faith. However, Jesus said to the blind men in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Or to the woman who touched Jesus’ robe believing it would heal her in Luke 8:48 Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.” On many other occasions in the bible, Jesus tells people they are healed because of their faith. They obviously didn’t pay for the healing like purchasing a product, but the value of the faith is what Jesus said mattered.

Jesus also criticizes others on occasion saying, “you of little faith” in several passages where those involved needed Jesus to rescue them, like Peter walking on the water. So the size of the faith affects the outcome. Maybe this is partly what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6:20 in saying, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

It is an interesting way to look at faith.

Dear Lord, we know that you want us to have faith, hope and trust in you to guide, protect, and also do great things with us. Help us remember that if faith is a currency, our account is only limited by ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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The Bible writes about us being “perfected.” In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In order to be “perfect,” we need to have a standard by which to measure ourselves. That standard is Jesus. So God is constantly working on those who believe, so that they become more and more like Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 3:16,18 Paul writes, “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away….. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

We will never reach the objective of perfection, until we are joined with Jesus in eternity, but while we are here, the pursuit of perfection is our objective, and when we need some correction, God will be providing it.

Dear Lord, when we accept Jesus, we are accepting the fact that you will be working on us, to make us better and more like him. When we remember this, we can embrace the challenges and trials we endure as training toward perfection. Help us become more like Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen.

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Paul Writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Stay away from every form of evil.”

It is so much easier to do the right thing when we are not exposed to the temptations that pull us away. Is it easier to control our cursing and swearing if we avoid people who regularly curse and swear? What about TV shows and Movies, radio programs, blogs, web sites. How about controlling our behavior after a few drinks, late into the night? or our thoughts after seeing TV and movies with bad behavior?

By avoiding the evil in the first place, we set ourselves up to do the right things. Stop and think about what you are exposing yourself to, and ask if you are following Paul’s guidance.

Dear Lord, help us control our exposure to evil, so that we may better do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Many people wonder, “What about people who have not heard the Gospel?”

In Romans 1:19-20 Paul writes, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

The beauty, complexity, symmetry, and order of science and nature shout that there is a Creator. Once one recognizes this, wouldn’t he or she want to learn more?

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “…..seek and ye shall find….” and in Jeremiah 19:13 God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

We cannot know what happens to those who do not hear the Gospel message, but we know God loves us all and works on each of us to save us.

Dear Lord, you came to save us, and continue working to bring us all to you. Use us also to be the ones who help others find you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.