“Just Do It”, “You’re in Good Hands,” “Built Tough,” “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” “What’s in your wallet?”

These are all slogans from, well known, marketing campaigns.

God has a marketing plan too. It is us.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Our behavior as Christians should be an attraction to others. How we treat our family, friends, and others, how we deal with difficulties, and even how we deal with success should demonstrate the confidence, peace and joy that being saved and believing in Jesus to provide.

Dear Lord, how we live our lives is the first exposure others have to Christianity, and it either creates an opportunity to share your Good News, or gives people reason to resist you because of us. Help us be the light that shines and attracts people to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How often we limit ourselves by believing that we cannot do something because we don’t have enough influence, enough education, enough money, enough time, etc. We don’t pursue the dreams in our hearts, or make the contributions in our communities or churches, because we think we need more of something before we can start.

I think one of the lessons of the story of Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000 is the process he took to do something tremendous starting with the limited resources he had. John’s account of the story in John 6:11,12 goes, “Then Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God, passed them out to the people. Afterwards he did the same with the fish. And everyone ate until full! “Now gather the scraps,” Jesus told his disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.” And twelve baskets were filled with the leftovers.”

The simple steps are 1) Believe 2) Start with what you have 3) Thank God for what you have and what he will do 4) Get started.

Dear Lord Help us remember these simple steps you taught us to follow. Help us remember there is no limit to your power, and therefore no limit to what you can do through us. We thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think we have all seen those wild animal documentaries showing the predators, lions, tigers, and hyenas following a herd of prey. They wait for a young, old, or weak member of the herd to get out of the safety of the herd, and they attack that one.

In the same way, 1 Peter 5:8 tells his followers, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The Devil also looks for someone that does not have support of other Christians. The lack of support makes them easier to influence, manipulate and pull away from their faith. Having a “herd” or our group of Christian friends and family for support helps us avoid being vulnerable to attack from our enemy the Devil. A great way to have a group of Christian friends is to have a church you regularly attend. The “herd” is there to help protect you, but you are also there to protect and support other members.

Dear Lord, help us all find our Christian “herd” and a church where we can feel safe and comfortable in our faith. Help us provide mutual support for each other to defend against the attacks of the devil. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever had someone question whether you “really believe that stuff?,” referring to Christianity, or has someone presented the opportunity for you to share your faith when they were sincerely searching for hope during a difficult time?

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 21:13-15, that there will be times when they would be questioned, challenged, made fun of and even tortured and killed for their faith. He told them however, “but make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” NIV

Hopefully none of us will have to face physical danger for our faith, but most of us, at some point, will be put in a position to affirm our faith to someone. Remember not to worry, God will give us the words and wisdom we need.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance you provide us, knowing we are not on our own, you are there to give us the words and wisdom we need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The old testament law prescribed specific types of sacrifices to be made for different sins, burnt offerings,sin offerings, trespass offerings, different offerings for intentional and unintentional sins, and many other variations. In addition, it specified how each animal was to be prepared for the sacrifice, and what had to be done with all the parts. Many of the details are written in Numbers 15. I imagine the priests in the temple were constantly working on preparing and conducting sacrifices. This was very serious and important activity for people at the time, as they strived to follow the directions God had given them.

We can only imagine how dramatic a change it must have been for the Jews after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were preaching and teaching that these sacrifices were no longer necessary. Jesus’ had became the one and only sacrifice for all sins.

Hebrews 10:14-18 says, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

This text references back to prophesies of Jeremiah that there would come a time when the sacrifices would no longer be required. This prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. We no longer are required to offer sacrifices, we only need to accept your sacrifice in order to be forgiven and made right with God. Work in our hearts to accept this gift with gratitude and confidence. In Your name we pray. Amen.