Today is Veterans Day in the United States, a day we set aside to appreciate those who have served, all of us, in the U.S military. Thank you to all those veterans!

Jesus teaches us about service in Mark 10:44-45 saying, “and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

Though Jesus’ service was to save our souls, US soldiers commit to serve an if necessary give their lives to save other’s lives. Jesus also tells us in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

The United States and the world would be a much different and more dangerous place for peaceful people if it were not for the service of our veterans.

Dear Lord, we thank you for all those who have served, putting others before themselves and following your example. Bless them, their friends, and families. In Jesus Name, Amen.

I have written in the past about Pride being the root of all sins, because sin is by definition self centered. For the same reason, Pride is also the cause of conflict in our lives with other people.

Proverbs 13:10 says, “Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.”

If you think about it, when we have conflict with another person, it is usually because we want something our way, and the other person has a different idea. The resistance to our self centered position causes the conflict. We may know our idea is better, based on experience, or we may be afraid of being being considered less intelligent if someone else’s idea is discussed, but most of the time being patient and listening before pushing our idea will be perceived as more intelligent and helpful. Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.”

The Proverb contrasts pride with taking advice. Taking advice requires putting our opinion aside and listening to someone else’s. When two people are open to listen to the other, conflict can be softened, making room for collaboration, and solutions that work for both.

Dear Lord, it is so easy for us to push our own ideas and wants above other peoples, but help us remember that the wise are confident not out of selfish pride, but out of faith in you. Help us live with this type of confidence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You may have heard it said, that “We are God’s hands here on earth.”

1 John 4:12 says it like this. “But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

When we love God, and love others, we become a path God can use to show his love to others, through us.

Verse 15 goes on to say, “All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.”

Dear Lord, As believers we know that you live in us, Help us let your love work through us and touch all those we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus tells us how to pray in Matthew 6. One of the lessons, in Matthew 6:7-8, he says, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Many of us have something we have been praying for over and over for a long time, possibly years. As Jesus says, God knows what we need before we even ask, so rather than just asking over and over, why not pray for the wisdom and understanding to know why God has yet to answer our prayer. Maybe he is trying to teach us something; patience, trust, or maybe He is encouraging us to take a step of faith toward what we are praying.

I believe God hears and answers every one of our prayers in the way that is best for us based on his plan, though often we cannot see how.

Dear Lord, You know what we need and what we desire. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Help us have the wisdom to learn the message you are giving us while we wait for your answers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you ever wondered why we are here some 2000 years after Jesus was on earth, and when he and the apostles spoke and wrote about Jesus returning for “Judgment Day?” The apostles would preach about the end coming soon, 2000 years ago.

The Bible is clear that no one knows when the end will come, but Peter writes a little about why we are still waiting.

In 2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter writes, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

God does not want anyone to be lost and is giving more time for people to repent and come to him. Which also means he is giving us, God’s voice on earth, more time to bring his message to those not yet saved.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that we are not just here on earth for our own entertainment, we are here to glorify you, and to bring your message to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.