In Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians, he gives them a variety of guidance and instructions. One passage in particular we should all keep in mind as we face the day is:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, where he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

Great guidance for us all.

Dear Lord, be with us as we face each day so that we can follow Paul’s guidance having confidence in you and love for others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think humans have an inherent desire to know how things work, and why things are the way they are; So much so that we guess, which in Science we call a “hypothesis.” Many people who want to rule out God’s design, and His creation as a reason, conveniently use the word “theory” for their guess.

As Christians, we accept that there are many mysteries we do not yet understand, and may never understand.

In John 3, Jesus says that we must be “born again” to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, a Jewish scholar or Pharasee, questioned what Jesus meant. Jesus replied in John 3:8, “The wind blows where ever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but cannot tell where in comes from, or where it is going, so you cannot explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus doesn’t understand, and Jesus tells him, like he tells us about our “theories,” in John 8:12, “But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

Dear Lord, You give us so much of your wisdom in the Bible, much remains a mystery, but some we just choose to question. Open our eyes and hearts to see your meaning and believe your message. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God has plans for each one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God won’t necessarily force his plans on us, so we need to keep our senses active, listening for the indications of God’s direction. If we have the mindset to put God’s will first, he will direct our steps.

The well known Psalm 23 writes in verse 11, “He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

Ultimately that is our purpose on earth, to bring glory and honor to God. So if we listen, he will guide us on how to do that.

Dear Lord, we know we are here to bring glory to you by how we act, and by spreading your good news. Thank you for the promise to show us how to honor you with our day to day lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How often we get trapped in feeling sorry for ourselves, sour mood and attitude, mad at God or other people because we don’t have what we want. The antidote for this is written in 1 John 2:7-8, “and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in.”

By turning our attention away from ourselves and toward others, we are living the way Jesus did. Verse 6 says, ” Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.”

Dear Lord, Help us overcome our focus only on ourselves, and focus on sharing your love with others. We will then realize the peace and joy this provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Money is often a difficult subject for Christians, some fear they will not have enough so they skimp on their offerings. Some fear they will not have enough, so they pinch pennies and cannot bring themselves to spend what they have. Both of these concerns are examples of people putting their faith in their money rather than in God.

Paul writes in Hebrews 13:5, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

It is so illogical to believe that God would leave us short if we used our resources to do his will. When we put our trust in God, we don’t have to worry whether we will have enough. We know, as Paul wrote, He will never abandon us.

Proverbs 11:25 Says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed..”

Dear Lord, help us remember that our hope and security come from you, not our money. Help us use our money with a spirit of responsibility and generosity, believing your promise never to abandon us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.