It is hard for many of us to avoid fear and worry. When we succumb to worry, we can worry about anything and everything, losing good things, bad things happening, what people think, that people don’t care, etc.

But worry doesn’t prevent problems in the future, it steals the joy from today.

When we worry, we are living today the psychological pain and discomfort of future problems that will probably never occur.

Jesus said in Luke 12:25-26, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

Trust God to care for you. Jesus continues in verse 31, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

Dear Lord, our human nature makes us fear and worry about current events, and the uncertain future. Help us overcome these fears, and focus on you and trust in your care. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The gospels write about the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary to tell her she would bear Jesus. What a shocking and frightening experience this must have been. However, her response recorded in Luke is an example for all of us.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38

If only we could have this conviction and faith in response to the promises that are made to us in the Bible, like this in Hebrews 13:5-6, “For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” That is why we can say without doubt or fear, “The Lord is my helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”

Dear Lord, you have given us a tremendous example of faith and confidence in Mary’s reply to Gabriel. Help us learn from this example to trust your promises and say as well, “we are your servants.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we read our Bible, there is more happening than just the words we are reading on the page. We are showing our love and commitment to God, and we are opening up for the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Paul writes in Thessalonians 1:5, “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” Jesus said in John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” NIV

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the Bible, as a connection to you, and the Holy Spirit that teaches us and keeps us in faith in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is good for us to stop what we are doing once in a while to reflect and remember how great and powerful God is. We can look around at the beauty, magnitude, complexity, and mystery of everything that he created, and see it. Then to think that we are one of his children, he knows us and cares about each of us should make us feel great, joyful, and loved. I’ll call it a “State of Joy”

David wrote about this in Psalm 100:1-3 “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Dear Lord, you are more majestic and powerful than we can even understand, and to think that you care enough about us to save us through Jesus Christ, brings us humility and great joy! Praise the Lord. Amen.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26-27, “In your anger do not sin, Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, an do not give the Devil a foothold.”

Paul is saying that when we get angry, we are making the Devil’s job of tempting us easier.

There are many things in life we should avoid to keep from “giving the Devil a foothold.”

We should take a moment and think about whether we are setting ourselves up for temptations that we may not be able to control.

Dear Lord, we cannot always avoid temptations, but help us make good decisions that make the Temptor’s task more difficult, not easier. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.