I have a list of short wise sayings and ideas that I have accumulated over the years, and one of them is:

“Producing or contributing more than you consume is the only justification for your existence.”

I think Jesus is conveying this idea in Mark 10:43-45 when he told the disciples, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Our nature leads us toward wanting to “take, take, take,” but what we are really here for is to serve others with the skills and talents God has given us. If we really think about it, it is the times our skills and talents benefit others that we are most fulfilled.

Dear Lord, You are the example of service for us. Help us strive to be like you and live lives of service, which how you design us to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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We know that God is all powerful. He created all things, from the magnitude of the universe, to the complexity of our bodies; he performed incredible powerful miracles like the great flood, the plagues in Egypt, and the parting of the Red Sea to the many miracles Jesus performed, like raising Lazarus from death, and casting out demons. We know from the story of Job that the devil is subject to God’s permission and authority. Who would question whether God could strike anyone on earth down at any time, or wipe out anything man could build with a single act of Nature. God’s Power is Awesome!

At the same time, 1 John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love.” God is love…the magnitude of this is also difficult for us to understand. The most compassion, care, empathy, sympathy, sacrifice, we can feel or express is just a drop compared to God’s love, because God is Love.

Together, how can we not submit ourselves to God’s will, knowing that by doing so, we are supported and protected by the ultimate power and cared for by the one who defines love.

Dear Lord, Let us take both comfort, and strength in knowing that You are Power and Love, and you love us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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The Bible writes about angels in many places, and describes how they are here with us on earth, bring us messages, and intervene to protect us.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. ”

And in Psalm 91:11, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

We may never have an encounter with an angel, or not realize we did, but we know God sends them here to support and protect us. We may never know the things angels have done to influence events to protect us but we know that they can and do.

Dear Lord, the angels are another mystery you have left for us to consider, we thank you for the promise of sending them to protect us when we acknowledge you. What an assurance it is to know they are here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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We all know that God created us with a free will to choose. There is a constant battle going on inside each of us; a battle between our desire to choose to obey God and do what is right, and our desire to choose to follow the “self-centered” desires that the world would have us follow.

Think of all the modern day social issues that revolve around the “right” and “freedom” to do things that are clearly wrong according to God.

Paul writes to the church in Galatians 5:13 “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Dear Lord, please help us use the freedom you gave us to live lives that glorify you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Hopefully we have all experienced a person who amazes us with their exceptional work and performance in their job. For example, the sales person who knows just how to find you exactly what you were looking for without being pushy, the service technician with a bright smile and polite “yes sir” “yes ma’am”, the contractor who proudly strives for perfection, meticulously cleans up, and patiently explains everything to his customer, or the doctor or nurse who, with angelic like compassion and tenderness, cares for the dying patient. These people not only bring great credit on themselves, they make their employers and organizations look good to those who see their service.

In much the same way, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that we are the “light of the world,” and to “let your light shine before others, that they will see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.” When we do good, we are bringing credit (glory) to God, whom we follow.

I have heard it said this way, “You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.” We have an opportunity every day to demonstrate Gods love to those we contact.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that our actions demonstrate what Christians are to people around us. Help us do good and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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