When we are not entertaining ourselves, most of our time in life is spent trying to improve conditions for ourselves, and our loved one’s; More education, better job, business, house, more money, getting fit, healthy, investing, etc. These are all good things in the right context, but, Why are we really here?

I believe the bible tells us that we are here not just to live our lives for ourselves and then die. We are here for a larger reason, to glorify God.

God says through Isaiah in Isaiah 43:7, “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”

God made us, in his image, breathed life into us, and loves us. He wants us to use the free will he gave us to acknowledge and honor him, to do great things and give Him thanks and credit, and to show his love to others so that they may come to believe in and glorify Him also.

In addition to us giving God the glory, we are sent by Jesus to bring help, hope, care and the message of salvation to others.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ultimately, I believe that God puts the dreams and desires in our hearts, and he will help us achieve these things. What he asks is that we use them to shine the light of our success on Him. By doing so, we will be giving others the opportunity to come to Him as well.

Dear Lord, what a magnificent plan you have made here for us. Thank you for putting dreams and desires in our hearts and helping us fulfill them. Help us also to remember that our success is intended for your glory, and to share with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Picture in your mind a US Special Forces soldier in desert camouflage, flak jacket, Kevlar helmet with night vision goggles attached, face covered in black and tan camouflage, M4 rifle slung across his chest, pistol in a tactical holster on his leg, extra magazines of bullets strapped on his harness.

If you had to come up with one word to describe this picture, I don’t think you would say, Love. However, if you asked why they serve or have served in the US military, most would include their love for the United States, and what is stands for, as a primary reason.

But most of all, when it comes right down to the decision to put one’s life at risk, most soldiers do it to protect the soldier with whom he or she is serving.

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

So I must say that, even though they might be embarrassed by the description, US soldiers put their lives on the line out of Love for their comrade.

Today we remember the many US soldiers who loved enough to risk, and especially those who gave their lives so that we have the security, and freedom we have, today. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

Dear Lord, thank you for the courageous men and women who have served and given all so that we can have our amazing country. Please help us respect their sacrifice and maintain the American qualities they died to protect. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus shows his exasperation with the disciple’s on a number of occasions in the Bible.
In Matthew 16:8-10, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?”

I think we all can read this as Jesus speaking to us, saying, “Do you still not understand? You see my power and miracles that I have done, but you still worry about your simple problems. Have faith.”

Dear Lord, We worry about the unknowns and insecurities in our lives, not quite sure you will be there when we need you. Help us have faith so that we will understand and have confidence in your promise to be there always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There are many Biblical principles that are counter-intuitive, meaning that they are the opposite of what the typical person might think.

An example of this is written in Psalm 119:1, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.”

I think the typical secular view is that doing what-ever you want, whenever you want, and making up your own rules, would be the way to a joyful life. But we see all around us how the Bible version is actually correct.

Those folks you see around your church, involved in lots of activities, studying God’s word, and doing their best to live lives of integrity following Jesus’ example, are the happy, content people. In contrast, it is sad how often we see people with money and fame who have the ability and means to choose anything, try to live lives making their own rules and who end up distraught and with all kinds of problems and tragedies.

We need to remember that the morality and instruction that God gave us in the Bible, and which he has put into our consciences, is there to help us have good and joyful lives, like the instructions books for operating our lives.

Dear Lord thank you for giving us conscienses and your word to guide us. Help us follow your instructions, and realize this is the way to a joyful life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hebrews 11:1 “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”

Paul goes on to list many Bible stories where people did great things by faith, for example, “by faith Noah built a boat to save his family, by faith, Abraham moved his family to the land God sent him, by faith Moses led the people out of Egypt”. In Hebrews 11:33,34 he writes, “By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.”

In the same way, “by faith,” we can be healed of our illnesses, raise our families in Christ, witness to our friends, solve our financial concerns, and anything other hope we have in our hearts.

Dear Lord, thank you for the assurance that you will respond to our faith that you will answer our prayers. Help us know your will for us and have faith that you will answer our prayers. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.