We see in the Bible stories of people who are following God’s instruction but for different reason’s they lose their discipline, and begin doing things they know are wrong, and putting things above God in their lives. One small step at a time and they end up completely disobeying God’s direction; People like Solomon and the Jews in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. We see this in our lives today, as well, people we know who were faithful members of our churches, and even pastors, fall away and then begin making bad decisions that drag them further astray.

Maintaining our faith requires the discipline to read God’s word, think about it, pray, worship and strive to practice God’s direction. Like maintaining our bodies, we need to eat well in order to stay healthy.

I think this is the idea Jesus was trying to deliver in the story of his temptation, while he was fasting int the desert, recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew 4:3,4 says, “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.”

Just like food is for life, God’s words of instruction, education, and salvation are the food we need for our Christian life on earth and eternally, without it we are starving ourselves, making us weaker and easier prey for temptation.

Dear Lord, thank you for your word that provides us the spiritual food we need to make us strong and resilient. Help us have the discipline to study it regularly to keep ourselves firm in our faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the challenges I have occasionally, and you may as well, is praying for something, but worrying that God may not answer my prayer the way I would like. For instance, traveling and the flight is delayed, I pray that I don’t miss my connecting flight because I would miss an important family event and disappoint my family.

Another example we have all encountered, we, a friend or family member have a unusual ailment and go see the doctor. We pray that it is routine simple issue, but we fear God’s plan may allow it to be serious.

In Daniel 3 there is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were young Jewish men during the time the Jews were captive in Babylon. There was a law during that time that required everyone to bow down and worship a statue the King had designated. Because of their obedience to God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down and worship the statue. As a result, they were to be thrown into the furnace. When accused by the King, they replied in verse 17,18, “If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But if he doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.”

The key here is their comment, even “if He doesn’t” they will remain obedient. This is how we need to think when we pray. Even if God doesn’t answer our prayer the way we want, we will trust him. I am praying that traffic will not make me late, but even if I am, I trust that God has a reason. I am praying that I do well on this test, but even if I don’t, I am trusting God.

Dear Lord, How wonderful it is to know that you have control of all things that affect us, so that even if the things we pray for are not your plan, we can still trust in your love for us. Help us pray with confidence for what we desire but pray that your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You have probably heard this before, but I think it is fitting to hear it again today as we recognize Veterans Day in the United States.

“There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.”

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater Love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Soldiers don’t join the service with the expectation of being killed, but all know the possibility exists.

Two key articles in the US Military Code of Conduct express why we give our respect to veteran’s today.
I. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
VI. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

To those who have served. Thank you!

Dear Lord, You have done something special in America, and our veterans chose to put their earthly lives at risk to maintain it. Thank you for them, and help us all have the courage to defend our Christian way in America. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is interesting to look at the lives of people and see how the many seemingly unrelated events and circumstances come together to create the lives they have at any point in time. I read a newspaper that has a biography of a notable person each day, and everyone seems to demonstrate that a variety of events work together to bring them to the place that makes them “famous.”

We can see this in biblical personalities as well. Would Moses ever have thought that he would become the leader and liberator of the Jewish nation, or Joseph becoming so powerful in Egypt after being sold as a slave by his brothers, or Paul at one point persecuting the early Christians, then later becoming the leading spokesman for Christianity?

We can see some of these things in our lives to today; how we came to know our best friends, how we met our spouse, or how we ended up living where we do or in our occupation. We cannot predict what God has in store for us, even tomorrow.

Proverbs 16:9 writes, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” and in 1 Corinthians 2:9 Paul writes, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

We don’t know why things are going the way they are for us at any one time, but we can know that God loves us and has plans for each of us.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the peace of knowing that you have control of all that happens to each one of us. If we only surrender ourselves to your will, our lives will be the beautiful picture that you are painting. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One risk we face as we become more diligent in our Christian walk is evaluating other people’s behavior and judging their Christian credentials. it is a bit of a paradox that we are first saved through our faith, then we do good works because of our faith, but then we can start thinking doing good is the requirement. It is easy to look at someone else and think “well they don’t go to church every Sunday,” or “they don’t volunteer at the soup kitchen, and think that they aren’t “doing” enough.

Paul writes about this in Galatians 3:11, “So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Doing good works does not save us or get us closer to salvation. God saved us through the gift of Jesus; We cannot save oursleves.

Dear Lord Thank you for saving us as a gift. Help us remember you provided this gift for all who accept it, there may be people who have accepted the gift, but are still working out the changes they need to live out their faith. Help us look at them with love and demonstrate our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.