Do you ever wonder why some people are open to the message of Jesus Christ, but others are completely closed to it?

I think the answer has something to do with self centered pride. The people in the Bible who opened themselves up to Jesus were those that had some personal problem like an illness, or a loved one that was ill. Some others recognized their bad moral background and recognized they needed forgiveness. Some others came to Jesus, and listened to him because they felt something missing in their lives that they could not fill on their own. Is it any different today?

Those that rejected Jesus were those that put their confidence in themselves and didn’t believe they needed him, like the rich man in Mark 10:17-22 who put his faith in his possessions. Or the Pharisees who put their confidence in their expert knowledge of the scriptures or their good works.

It seems that the differentiator in determining whether someone is open to the Good News is their level of belief that they need something beyond their own control.

In Matthew 9:12, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Dear Lord, we all need you, whether we believe it or not. We need you for our lives here on earth, and most importantly for our lives beyond the earth. Help us find the opportunities to provide your Good News at the right time for those who are really looking for you, whether they know it or not. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Most of us know the story of Jesus tempted in the wilderness in Matthew 4. Verses 4:3-4 write, “During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The scripture that Jesus is referencing is Deuteronomy 8:3, which tells the story about God providing manna to the Jews when they were in the desert after escaping from Egypt.

There are many ways to look at Jesus’ comment, “that people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

It is easy to think the passage was just about spirituality, that Jesus is saying we need to feed our spiritual self with God’s word. However, the reference back to the story in Deuteronomy is a story of God fulfilling the physical needs and wants of the Jews in the desert, not just their spiritual needs. I think we can get this message from Jesus’ words, as well. The message that God’s word, the Bible, will give us direction and wisdom to provide for our physical wants and needs as well as our spiritual needs and wants.

Dear Lord, whether we acknowledge it or not, you provide everything we have. Help us remember to praise and thank you for what you provide us. Help us also to come to you for both our spiritual and physical needs and wants. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is sometimes sad to think about the number of people we encounter in our day to day lives that have not accepted, or may not even have been exposed to God’s Salvation through Jesus. There is a constant battle going on for the hearts and souls of everyone, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

It is not possible to sit down and witness to everyone we encounter, but we can demonstrate God’s love with each interaction we have with others. 1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

We can never know what snowball effect a kind word or action may have on another person. I think the expression, “we may be the only Jesus someone may ever see,” is a good reminder of how to approach others.

Dear Lord, You have conquered sin and the devil, and we only need to believe and trust in you to be on your winning side. Help us to show your love to others in our daily lives so that we might be part your plan to bring them over to you as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

As a father of teenagers, I have seen some of the stages of life my children will experience. I have seen how my priorities have evolved as they aged, from concern about their physical safety, to desire for academic success, or success with other activities, sports, music, etc. However, the most important hope and prayer, that is always underneath, but emerges as they age is the prayer that they find and build their own relationship and faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us, that the best way to do that is by building our own faith. Proverbs 14:26 says, “Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.”

Today is my dad’s birthday, and I don’t know of any father who lives this example better than my dad. He has put is trust in the Lord and our family has weathered the storms of life in the refuge God has provided.

Proverbs 4:4 says, “The father of godly children has cause for joy.”

From all of us, your children and grandchildren, who you provided a refuge by your fear of the Lord, and put on the right path, Happy Birthday! Dad. We hope that you are filled with joy.

Dear Lord, Faith in you is what gives us our security, and most importantly our Salvation. Thank you for being our refuge and keeping us and our children in your care. Thank you for another year of blessing my dad and blessing us through him, we pray for many more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When you think of the word “courage,” what comes to mind? A soldier in battle? Performing on stage for the first time? Standing up to a bully?Skydiving?

Courage is doing something that we find frightening

1 Peter 2:19 says, “For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.”

To consciously endure unjust treatment requires courage. Unjust treatment may be simple teasing when we skip participating in the gossip session, or dirty jokes, or the terrible treatment and murders of Christians by ISIS.

When we demonstrate this courage, God is pleased with us, and it strengthens our faith and confidence in God’s power and protection. Lord willing, none of us will have to endure physical pain and torture for our faith. Let us, however, have the courage to accept the challenge and endure those situations that we are given.

Dear Lord help us have the faith and confidence in you to be ready to endure the unjust treatment that may occur when we do the right thing, knowing that this pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.