Occasionally we get very clear evidence that we are living in a world ruled by the devil. The terrible actions by individuals we read about in the newspapers, and the decisions by our government that are clearly contradictory to God’s teaching. [Read Romans 1:24-27 what the bible says about homosexuality]

2 Corinthians 4:4 Says “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.”

It is however not our job to condemn, but to love as Jesus did. We cannot be proud because we think we are not as sinful as someone else In Romans 2:4 Paul tells us “Don’t you realize how patient he is being with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see that he has been waiting all this time without punishing you, to give you time to turn from your sin? His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Roman’s 3:23, says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2 Timothy 2:25-26 Says “Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them, they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. Then they will come to their senses and escape from Satan’s trap of slavery to sin.”

We can only control our own actions; live our faith, and fortunately living in a democracy, vote our faith. Paul continues in Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world.” Sadly in the end, many will not accept Christ’s salvation. In Matthew 22:14 Jesus says, “for many are called but few are chosen.”

Dear Lord, Please come and show your influence in our world. Help us have the courage to witness to your good news that your salvation and peace are available to all who will turn to you. Help us also put a priority on electing representatives who will support our Christian beliefs. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 103 is a great chapter to read and think about to remind us to “count our blessings” It starts out, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” TLB

The chapter continues on with more great reason’s to praise the Lord.

I have found that having and adding regularly to what I call a “gratitude list” is a great way to remember the good things God has given us, and keep a positive attitude. Here are some items from my list:

Salvation and the peace it brings
Prayer
Bible
Beautiful Healthy Christian Family
My Health
Born in America
Religious freedom
Democracy, Market Economy
Schools and teachers who care
Smart innovative people who solve our problems with new products
Soldiers committed to defending us and our way of life.
Police and Firemen/women
Church and church family
Relative Peace in the world and security in neighborhood
Beauty of Nature
Modern medicine
Good Friends

Some practical things too:
The Internet
Snowblower
Business class upgrades
Interstate highways
Starbucks

In the developed world of 2015 we have so much for which to be grateful. Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord, Praise and thanks to you for all you provide to us. We are incredibly blessed by your love. Help us learn to share that love with others so that we may be a blessing to them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Luke 6:46 Jesus is speaking to gathered crowds and says to them, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” That could easily be said for us today. We call ourselves Christians and call Jesus our Lord, but then we go and do things we know we shouldn’t.

What does He say we should do. Jesus’ summarizes this well in Matthew 22:37-40, when asked what is the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So during our day we should approach each situation with love for God, keeping him and his direction first priority in our lives, and we should act with fairness, kindness and respect for those we encounter.

Dear Lord, help us to recognize your will by listening to our conscience, and do what you say by acting out of love for you and our neighbor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have ever walked on a balance beam, you know that the best way to keep your balance is to look far down the length of the beam, Or when we are learning to drive, the best way to stay in our lane is to look way down the road. Looking where we want to go keeps us on track.

Matthew 14 includes the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter sees him from the boat, and when Jesus says “come” Peter begins walking on the water toward Jesus. However, in verse 30 things deteriorate, “But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” TLB When Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus he begins to sink.

In the same way, to keep ourselves on the right track, we need to keep our eyes and attention on Jesus and His instructions for us.

Dear Lord, Help us to keep our eyes on you, your teachings, and listen in our hearts for your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

What does it mean to be generous? One way to look at it is putting someone else’s priority ahead of ours. For those who travel regularly, can you picture getting ready to board an airplane, knowing that there is always a shortage of overhead bin space for carry-on bags. Generosity is patiently waiting to board the airplane rather than anxiously scrambling to the front of the boarding line to make sure we get a place for our luggage. How about driving in traffic? Generosity is consciously providing space for that other driver to pull into your lane, even though he or she waited until the last opportunity to merge so they can get in front of everyone else. Or, walking by the Salvation Army ringer during Christmas, realizing you don’t have any change or dollar bills in your pocket but you have a twenty dollar bill, and putting it into the bucket. There are unlimited examples of how we can be generous.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38 that when we are generous, we get more than we give, “For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”

Dear Lord, help us to be generous, which is just our reflecting and sharing the love you have given us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.