I am sitting here reflecting on the amazing blessings that I have and continue to experience. I am blessed with an incredible wife, amazing parents, siblings and children, wonderful sister and brother in-laws, great friends, a good job, wonderful life in the USA, a church and church family that is vibrant and supportive. It is humbling, and almost challenging to find anything to complain about, and for all that I am incredibly thankful, and strive to be joyful.

In 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 Paul writes to the believers there, “Always be joyful, Always keep praying, No matter what happens, be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I am sure some of the folks Paul was writing to had wonderful lives, and some had problems like we do. Arguably, their problems were more dire than we can imagine in the developed world of 2016. But he tells them, and us, to be joyful. God is always there for us, and whether things are going our way, or we are struggling, God knows, and is there with us.

Dear Lord, Help us remember Pauls words, and be Joyful and Thankful. Joyful because we are saved and we know you will support us through our problems, and Thankful in for this amazing gift. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the joys of life, and challenges of life is dealing with different types of people.

Proverbs 9 has some wisdom for these interactions.

First, Proverbs 9:7-9 says, “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you Instruct the wise and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous and they will learn even more.”

Then verse 12 says, “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”

We need to look at these passages, from both the speaker and listener point of view, making sure we are not the “mocker,” who knows it all and is not open to learn, but are the wise who are open to correction and do not get defensive, because we know we will be the one to benefit.

Most importantly we need to remember Proverbs 9:10, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

Dear Lord, it is you who provide us wisdom for life, good judgment, and understanding of those we encounter. Help us humbly look for wisdom to be better in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Often in life things occur that we cannot understand; Times when there are terrible tragedies that affect thousands of people, and times when something unexplainable happens to one person. Even as faithful Christians we wonder how these events could be something God intended.

There are all also vast and fundamental questions that remain unanswered about our universe and our physical beings.

Ecclesiastes 8:17 says, “Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.”

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

In the years people have been around, we have discovered many things about God’s creation, but when we stop and think about the huge gaps in our knowledge we can only step back an be in awe of God. How can we not believe in God? And once believing in God, the good news of salvation through Jesus is rational.

Dear Lord, our minds can barely begin to understand your power, wisdom and glory, and how humbled we should be, knowing that you care for us enough to save us. Help us find the peace and joy in knowing this and also fear and respect Your power and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is an author named Gary Chapman who wrote a book entitled, “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts.” He contends that people tend to feel loved in different ways. He says there are 5 “Love Languages” by which people communicate their love; and the receiver is partial to one or two of these languages. They are; Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Quality of Time, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. His key point is that people feel your expression of love most when it is delivered in their “Love Language.”

How is this relevant? You may ask.

In Deuteronomy 11:22, Moses tells the people what God wants, saying, “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.”

And in John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Following the author, Gary Chapman’s, concepts, God’s love language is obedience. God recognizes that we love him when we do his will.

Dear Lord, we do love you. Help us show our love to you by doing your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have teenagers in my house, and people tend to ask us and them, what they want to study in college, or what occupation they have an interest in. However, rather than the traditional questions, one of our children’s teachers asked an interesting question recently. “What problem does he want to solve?” This seemed to be a so much more inspiring way to approach the future.

In Romans 15:20, Paul writes, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.”

It is important to have a clear objective or as Paul calls it an “ambition,” not only for our personal pursuits, but for our Christian lives. What is yours?

Dear Lord, You have given us all many gifts and talents. Help us remember these are not just for our own entertainment, and satisfaction, but to serve you and each other. Help us use these to pursue objectives that grow your Kingdom and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.