Are you afraid to go in the basement with the lights off? Or take out the garbage late at night? Most of us have an inherent fear or uneasiness about the dark. Isn’t it interesting how with the lights on, the same basement is not scary, and there is no fear walking down the driveway in the daylight.

Jesus said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Our life without Jesus is like walking in the dark basement or dark night. The devil, the ruler of this dark world, is working to keep us from finding the light. With Jesus, the light of the world, we do not need to fear the darkness.

Dear Lord, help us remember that following you is what lights our world and removes the fear of the unknown darkness. Help us share this light with others that they may know the peace it brings as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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It is amazing to think about the history of Christianity.  Through the years many have tried to stamp it out, from the Jewish leaders in the first century, Greek, Roman and Ottoman Empires, the Communists, and many others.  Today Christianity is being attacked,from many directions, but from the original 12 disciples who followed Jesus, Christianity has grown to over 2 billion people;  The largest religion in the world. 

We know that those opposing Jesus will never succeed, as Isaiah prophesied and Peter repeated in 1 Peter 1:24,25, “..the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”  Until the Lord returns, we know that God’s word will endure.

Dear Lord, Thank you for growing your church throughout the world.  Help us be a part of spreading your good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I recently heard the expression, “Life happens for you, not to you.” This is a mindset that helps us see the positive in life’s events.

Some people have an easier time believing this idea than others, but it is consistent with the well known Bible passage Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

And Romans 5:3-5 tells us that even our difficulties are for our good, saying, “we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”

So life does happen for us. We should look for what God is doing for us, to make us better, in all life’s events.

Dear Lord, you are always working on, us if we let you. Help us find the lesson you have for us in all of our circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think that sometimes, difficult things happen to people because God is trying to get their attention and draw them to him. He gives them things that are too big to handle on their own, as motivation to turn to him.

Revelation 3:19-20 says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

God’s “rebuke and discipline,” which we may experience as struggles in our lives, are examples of him knocking at the door. When we let him in, he will help us through these trials.

Dear Lord, We know you want us to include you in our daily lives. Help us see our struggles as you knocking at our door to join us and help us through and overcome. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the key principles of success is knowing what you are trying to accomplish. Whether it is getting an A on a test, achieving a sales goal, or winning a sporting event, starting with an objective is part of the process.

In some ways this is how God expects us to approach Him. In Matthew 8 Jesus tells the Centurion, “let it be done as you have believed,” and in Matthew 9 Jesus’ asks the blind man if he believes Jesus can make him see, before he heals him.

There are a number of instances like this in the Bible, with God teaching us that we should be ready to receive.

Psalm 81:10 says, “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.”

It is quite clear to me from these and other texts, that our part in receiving from God is believing he has the power to provide us anything we can imagine, if he chooses. If we don’t believe He can, we are not doing our part.

Dear Lord, You have control over all things. Help us remember your awesome power, and not let our lack of belief limit Your work in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.