As Christians we believe and frankly we know that God hears our prayers and answers them.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Never stop praying.”

James tells us in James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

I know many of you need prayers for help and healing. I pray specifically for those of you whom I personally know are facing struggles. I would also encourage you to let your Pastor’s and churches’ know your needs so that they may also pray for you.

Today, I am asking for you to pray with me for my dad, who is in need of healing. Thank you for your earnest prayers.

Dear Lord, we know you hear our prayers, we know that you have complete control of all things. Give your physical and emotional healing to all those we pray for now. May their recovery bring glory to you. Heal my dad also Lord, by your grace and your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Have you noticed how much our “state of mind” affects what we think about events, our expectations, and how we treat others. For instance, if things are going well for us, we tend to have a positive “state of mind,” have positive expectations, and tend to be upbeat and positive with other people. When we are in a negative “state,” just the opposite tends to occur.

I would argue that we can control our “state of mind” by taking control of our thoughts. For example, our state of mind can quickly change when something tragic, or something fantastic occurs in our lives. So if some external event can change our thoughts, our own conscious choice to change our thoughts can do the same.

Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

I use two steps to try to get myself into the right state of mind when events are dragging me down. I first look at all the things for which I have to be thankful, and they are many. It is nearly impossible to be in a bad state when we are truly thankful. Then I pray and put my trust in God to lead me through my challenges.

The Bible tells us these things in many places. Here are a few to lean on.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

“Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Lord, Help us take control of our “state of mind” with thankful hearts and confidence in your unlimited power to overcome any challenge we face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Luke 8:22-25 tells about Jesus and the disciples sailing across a lake. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

We could read Jesus’ question “Where is your faith?” as a rhetorical question, like a figure of speech meaning, “You don’t have faith.”

However, you could also look at the question as Jesus actually expecting an answer. “Where is your faith?” And the answer in this case would be, their faith was in the likelihood of them drowning. They actually said, “We are going to drown.” Using their words, they were expressing their faith.

I think God is trying to get a message to us with this story. When we say things like, “I’ll never lose weight,” or “I’ll never get out of debt,” or “I am always late.” We are reinforcing a belief, (faith) in those statements.

We need to turn things around and put our faith where it should be, saying things like, “with God’s help, I will be on time.” or “By the grace of God I will lose weight,” or “I am confident God will make this situation work out.”

Dear Lord, We all occasionally have lapses in our faith in you to be with us in all types of situations. Help us remember to speak with faith in your ability to make things work out well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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We have all seen examples of two kinds of people in politics, sports, business, and all walks of life. My simple descriptions are, first, the wise and humble, and second, the self-centered self-promoter.

James writes about these differences in James 3. In verse 13 he writes, ” If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” I am sure you have seen these types of people, the incredible athlete that credits the whole team for the win, even when he or she carried the team, or the CEO that successfully leads his or her company through difficult challenges, but shuns the spotlight.

In comparison, you have seen those who are constantly blaming problems on others, taking credit for all the success, and complaining that they are not being treated right, or paid enough. In verse 17 James describes this other type, ” For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” We have all seen the results of these types of people in failing businesses, cities, and even national governments.

We need to strive to be the wise and humble type. God promises to help and to give us wisdom if we ask. James writes, in James 1:5, ” If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”

Dear Lord, Please give us wisdom and understanding, and the humility to use it for your glory and not ours. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Picture in your mind a US Special Forces soldier in desert camouflage, flak jacket, Kevlar helmet with night vision goggles attached, face covered in black and tan camouflage, M4 rifle slung across his chest, pistol in a tactical holster on his leg, extra magazines of bullets strapped on his harness.

If you had to come up with one word to describe this picture, I don’t think you would say, Love. However, if you asked why they serve or have served in the US military, most would include their love for the United States, and what is stands for, as a primary reason.

But most of all, when it comes right down to the decision to put one’s life at risk, most soldiers do it to protect the soldier with whom he or she is serving.

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

So I must say that, even though they might be embarrassed by the description, US soldiers put their lives on the line out of Love for their comrade.

Today we remember the many US soldiers who loved enough to risk, and especially those who gave their lives so that we have the security, and freedom we have, today. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

Dear Lord, thank you for the courageous men and women who have served and given all so that we can have our amazing country. Please help us respect their sacrifice and maintain the American qualities they died to protect. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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