There are some people that are so good at writing or delivering a speech that they can change people’s perspectives and behaviors enough to change the course of history; People like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan.

Isaiah was given this type of capability by God to influence people’s lives as well. Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”

God may not give us visions, and the ability to prophesy, like Isaiah, but he can use any of us to offer encouragement and hope to those that are weary, distraught or discouraged. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Any of us can be the one to provide the needed “gracious words.”

Dear Lord, give us the insight and understand to see those in need of healing words, and provide us the words that can make a difference in people’s lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is so uplifting to see people put their faith in God and overcome their afflictions, fears, challenges or use their faith to excel and do great things.

I can only imagine that this was how Jesus felt in the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8. Roman soldiers were not what people expected when thinking of followers of Jesus Christ, but Jesus showed how, no matter who one is, it is the faith that matters.

The soldier’s servant was paralyzed and suffering. When Jesus asked if the Centurion wanted Him to come and heal the servant. The Centurion said he knew all Jesus had to do was say so and his servant would be healed. Jesus, knowing the heart of the soldier, said in verse 10, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” and in verse 13, “Go, Let it be done just as you believed it would.” NIV

We don’t have to be great “church-people” to believe God can bring us out of miserable situations, overcome debilitating fears, or even give us success in our endeavors. We need to have the faith in God’s power and ability to do anything.

Dear Lord, help us have the faith in you to know without a doubt that you can do anything. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A former Navy Seal who has written a book on leadership entitled, “Discipline Equals Freedom.”

Conventional thinking would disagree with this concept, believing that by having discipline, people lose the flexibility, the “freedom” to do anything that they want.

James writes in James 1:25, “However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed.”

He says, “God’s perfect laws that make people free.” Like the comment from the Navy Seal, the counterintuitive idea of following rules or God’s laws, with discipline, will result in freedom.

Dear Lord, it sounds contradictory to us that being boxed in by your rules would give us freedom, but it does, and promises that in following God’s laws, we will be blessed. Help us understand your laws, and exercise the discipline to live them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is an old saying we have all heard that goes, “we cannot see the forest for the trees,” meaning we are so wrapped up in all the details (the trees) that we cannot see the bigger situation (the forest) which is the important part.

In Jesus’ time, the Jewish leaders were regularly attempting to trick Jesus into breaking the old Jewish laws. They would use all the technical rules in the Old Testament to demonstrate their own superiority, and critique Jesus’ activities. They were too wrapped up in the details of their rules to see the important point of the rules.

Jesus tells them in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”

I think we can fall into this trap as well. We can get so tied up in how we need to act, and what rules we need to follow in order to be “good enough” for God, that we miss the big picture. The big picture is God gave us Jesus, and Jesus did all the detail work for us.

Dear Lord, Amidst all our religious activities, help us remember not to miss the important part which is Jesus and what he did for us. In His name we pray. Amen.

Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.