Many of us have memorized the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…..” and we probably know it in the language of the King James (KJV), or Revised Standard (RSV) versions of the Bible.

In the RSV, verse 3 says, “He leads me in paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.” Which is not completely clear in our modern language, however, reading this verse in the New Living Translation (NLT) says, “He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” This helps me understand a little more clearly.

If we follow Jesus, our shepherd, he will show us the right paths. We do not need to stress and worry about what to do. We trust Him and move forward, and He will lead us.

Dear Lord, many of us have concerns about decisions and questions in life. Help us remember that if we look to you for guidance, you will put us on the right path, and bring honor to You. In Jesus’ name we pray.

It is amazing to think about the changes that have occurred in recent years, and in our lifetimes. The first hand-held personal mobile phone was available just 35 years ago, and the first IPhone was introduced only 12 years ago, now virtually everyone in the developed world has one. The internet as we know it is only about 25 years old. The first earth orbiting satellite was launched in 1957, and now there are nearly 2000 orbiting the earth. 150 years ago, there was no electricity, there were no cars, and only 40 million people lived in the entire US (about the same as California’s current population)

As amazing these changes are, things are changing even faster every day. The speed of change can be scary to us, however, we know one thing that does not change. In Malachi 3:6 God tells us “I the Lord do not change.” and Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

We can have confidence that the promises God has made and the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ has not changed for thousands of years, and will not change.

Dear Lord, when all earthly things around us are changing, what peace and joy it provides us knowing that you and your love for us will not change. With thanks and praise, we pray. Amen.

You may have heard this expression, “Where your attention goes, your energy flows.” Meaning that the things we focus on benefit from our energy and attention.

We can choose to put our attention on all the problems, worries, conflicts, controversies that tend to foster division, distrust, fear and anxiety, or we can choose to focus on the joys, friendships, amazing wonder of creation, advancements in life improving technologies, and the many other positives all around us.

The Apostle Paul tells us which to choose in Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Dear Lord, the World is continuously trying to drag our attention onto the negative things, help use keep our thoughts and attention on the innumerable positives you have provide all around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Most have heard the account recorded in Mark 5 about Jesus casting the demons out of the man and into the herd of pigs. It is a clear example of Jesus’ power over evil, but there is another part of the story I think is important for us.

Mark 5:18-20 writes, “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”

Jesus told the man to go and tell about what God has done for him. What about us? How often have we prayed for safety for ourselves or loved ones when traveling, or prayed for resolution of a medical problem, relief from a financial challenge, or success in our business, or other requests that have come to pass. Do we go and tell others the great things God has done for us, or do we attribute it to chance?

Dear Lord, you protect, provide, and save us every day. Help us remember to tell everyone what you have done for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It is not difficult to do enough to get to Heaven.

It is impossible.

This is a bit of a play on words, but it is clear that we don’t “do” anything to be saved. God is the doer, he saves us by his grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, we cannot save ourselves.

I am reemphasizing this truth because I have what may be a slightly different perspective on the story of the rich man that is recorded in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. In the story, a rich man comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. The man said he had obeyed all the commandments since he was a child. Jesus tells him, “go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Jesus then tells his disciples that it is harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

What I see in this story is that Jesus told the rich man, and is telling us, to follow him as our first priority, and put everything else below. The reason it is more difficult for a rich person is the common tendency to rely on riches as their “god.” Their riches are what they rely on to solve their problems, make them happy, and give them peace and security. It is also what they often spend their time and energy thinking about. It doesn’t take a lot of riches to fall into this trap.

Dear Lord, it is not only difficult for the rich man, but also for us to rely on you more than ourselves and our money. We often believe intellectually that you are there with unlimited power to save and support us, but we don’t always put this belief into practice. Help us remember to put our trust in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.