The Bible writes about angels in many places, and describes how they are here with us on earth, bring us messages, and intervene to protect us.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. ”

And in Psalm 91:11, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

We may never have an encounter with an angel, or not realize we did, but we know God sends them here to support and protect us. We may never know the things angels have done to influence events to protect us but we know that they can and do.

Dear Lord, the angels are another mystery you have left for us to consider, we thank you for the promise of sending them to protect us when we acknowledge you. What an assurance it is to know they are here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mark 9:14-29 is the account of Jesus casting a demon out of a boy who is possessed. Verses 22-24 begin with the boy’s father asking Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

This happens to us as well. “I believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” We find ourselves in a difficult financial situation, legal problem, or a situation where there is just not enough time for things to work out, so we pray for God to help, but deep down we have doubts. In those times we need to remember that we don’t have to figure out how God will resolve it, we just need to believe he will.

I like the expression, “God can find a way even when we don’t see a way.”

Let’s all remember to put our belief in God’s power, and when we don’t see how things can turn out well, remember the words “help my unbelief.”

Dear Lord, We know you have all power. Help us truly believe this when it comes to our own situations, that you can find a way when we cannot see a way. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many professions require routine training in order to keep up with the latest technology and techniques, or just to maintain important skills. Doctors and Nurses, teachers, programmers, pilots, and many others have regular requirements for training and testing.

In a similar way, it is important for us to continue our study of God’s teaching in the Bible to reinforce the knowledge, learn more, and give God the opportunity to connect with us through his word. Obviously we will not lose our license to be a Christian if we do not keep studying, but Hebrews 2:1 says, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”

The important message for us is getting in the habit of regularly reading and listening to the “truth,” the good news in the Bible.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the truth in your word, the Bible. Help us read and listen carefully so that we do not drift away. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

The day is 24 hours long because that is how long it takes for the earth to rotate once, and a year is one revolution around the sun, but why does the whole world operate on a seven day week?

There is no astrological, or physical reason for the significance of seven days.

It appears that the true reason for a seven day week is that God created the seven day week. This is recorded in the oldest history book, the Bible.

Genesis 2:1-3 writes, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Many people try to remove God and Christianity from our culture and try to prevent people from being exposed to anything to do with God, but we need to resist this and keep God’s message available for people to see.

The next time you hear someone dispute God’s existence, ask them why the world operates on a seven day week. It may get them to open up their heart and mind to God’s influence.

Dear Lord, There are many who are influenced by the Devil and the world to reject the belief in you, and want others to reject it as well. Help us have the wisdom and courage to counter their attempts to cover the light of your Good News. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One thing that will cause frustration in our lives is comparing ourselves to others. God made us all so unique, in our skills, circumstances, relationships, and so many other ways that there truly is no way to make an accurate comparison. We can often fall into the trap of comparing individual aspects of our lives to other people’s. The trouble occurs when we believe we are “better,” than others, or when we believe we are “inferior,” to others. Both of these situations cause trouble.

God made each of us uniquely for his purpose. In Galatians 6:4,5 Paul writes, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

He also wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

We need to focus on where God is leading us, and be happy for others who do the same in their lives.

Dear Lord, You made amazing plans for each of us, but we must trust you to see where they lead. Help us do that, by just taking each step forward in the direction we hear you calling, and not compare ourselves to others who are on their own paths. In Jesus’ name. Amen.