Have you had the opportunity to work closely with a team to accomplish a common objective. It could have been with a sports team, an informal team of people at work, a startup team for a new business, a band, a military unit, or overcoming a challenging time with your family as a team. There is something particularly fulfilling, hopeful and uniting in these occasions. Often, the more difficult the challenge, the more powerful the experience is for us.

Paul writes about this to the Church in Philippi, in Philippians 2:1-2, saying ” Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

It is that working together with “one mind and purpose” that makes all the difference. How much more fulfilling it will be for us when that purpose is God’s work, in our family, church, community, or friendships.

Dear Lord you made us and you put this trait into each of us, that when we join together in a team with trust and respect for each other and take on a challenge, your love is shown through us and builds bonds between us, making us even more capable of doing your will. Give us all the opportunity to experience this, and use it in your work. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Old Testament book of Jeremiah, records the prophecies that Jeremiah the prophet was told to give to the people of Judah. The people had turned from their belief in God and to idolatrous practices. God was using Jeremiah to try to bring them back.

In Jeremiah 6:16, he tells the people, “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

As a result of the people of Judah’s rejection, as prophesied by Jeremiah, their cities were destroyed and their people captured and taken away in exile in Babylon.

It seems to me that the people of our time have come to crossroads, known what the godly way is, and many have said like the people of Judah, “No, that’s not the road we want.”

I imagine during Jeremiah’s time there were still a few who followed the godly way, but the decisions of the majority of individuals to follow their own way rather than God’s moved the whole nation to their demise.

Dear Lord, you show us the right path in your word, the Bible, and in our hearts through our consciences. Help us remember that it is the combined action of each of us, individually, that shapes the path of the nation. Each of us, therefore, has a responsibility to contribute to the godliness of the whole nation. Help us listen and follow your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday I wrote about how we need to make an effort to pray for people outside our close circle, and I referenced 1 Timothy 2 verses 1 and 3.

One of those groups of people we need to make an effort to pray for is mentioned in verse 2.

1 Timothy 2:2-4, “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

With the next US Presidential election process in full swing, we need to remember to pray for those who are in authority in government, remembering as Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Dear Lord, let us not forget that you have control over everything. Help us remember to pray for those who have been given authority. Leadership is an important and difficult role. Guide them to the right decisions and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you are like me, you probably pray often for your family, friends, and for your own wants and needs, but maybe not as much for those outside that circle. We need to make an effort to expand those for whom we pray. Lately, I have been trying something new. When I am inclined to be irritated with someone, I try to use this feeling as a reminder to pray for them instead.

I like the way the Living Bible translates, Paul’s direction in his letter to Timothy, 1 Timothy 2:1, “Here are my directions; Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.” the passage continues, in verse 3, “for this is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth.”

Dear Lord, There are so many people who need help, and it seems like the need is so great, and we are just one person, but help us remember to use our prayers to intercede for them, and give thanks that you hear us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We cannot see the magnetic radio waves that are in the air all around us, but we can hear the message they carry when we tune in our radios.

In a similar way, John writes in 1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

We are like the radio that tunes into God’s love, translates it and delivers it to those around us. He delivers his love to the world through those who believe and do his will.

Dear Lord, we know that you are Love, and you show that love to those who trust and believe in you. Help us take the love you have given us and bring it to others, each of us in our own individual way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen