I saw a short video of some “bully-proofing” techniques a martial arts organization was teaching young children. The technique began with looking the bully in the eye, and telling him or her that they are not going to let themselves be bullied. Their training went on to include other defensive techniques, but it started with displaying resistance and confidence.

This is somewhat like how the Bible tells us to act in the face of the Devil’s temptation.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”

James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ”

With God, we can overcome anything the Devil may throw at us.

Dear Lord, you have power over all things, including the eDvil. Help us have the confidence in your power and support to stand firm and resist the Devil, so he will depart from us as promised. In Jesus’ name. 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.

Throughout the history of the Church, God has placed leaders in our Churches, Bible studies, Sunday schools, and other Christian organizations to teach, manage, and grow the community of believers. This all started with the 12 disciples, but continues on today.

Our pastors, most of whom have completed as much formal education as Doctors and Lawyers, learn multiple languages, and submit their lives to God’s call, in order to teach and lead us. Most could have been leaders in business or government, university professors, or professionals if they had chosen.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.”

Dear Lord, help us remember our church leaders in our prayers. Help us show our gratitude for their commitment and dedication to serving you by ministering to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible is full of stories of people praying; praying for healing, for rescue, for revenge, for justice, for each other, for strength, for faith, for protection, for forgiveness, and many other things. Based upon the Bible accounts, we can pray for just about anything. I believe God wants us to pray to him with everything and anything that is on our mind and on our hearts, as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18, “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I found one prayer particularly helpful for putting prayer in the right perspective. Daniel was praying for the people of Israel who were in captivity in Babylon. In Daniel 9:18-19 he prays, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!”

We don’t “deserve” anything from God. When we pray for the accomplishment of our dreams and desires, or the overcoming of our obstacles, we should pray like Daniel, not asking because we have earned or deserve what we want, but because of God’s mercy and love for us.

That doesn’t mean we should be reluctant to ask. God puts dreams and desires in our hearts, and puts obstacles in our way, for our good and for his glory. He wants us to ask. Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, “ask and it will be given to you.” and Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Dear Lord, You have power over all things, the power to provide us anything we might want. Help us find your will for our lives, and come to you continuously asking for your help to do the great things you have put in our hearts; Not because we deserve it, but because of your mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Bible tells us in a number of passages that we should be humble. James 4:10 writes, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Being humble goes hand in hand with being thankful. If we are thankful to God for the things we have, our skills, our health, our successes, it is much easier to be humble. Job 1:21 writes, “The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away.” Whether we do things just right, or make mistakes, God determines the outcome.

When we feel the desire to take the credit and explain what a great job we did with our success and achievement, we need to think about 1 Corinthians 1:31 where Paul writes, “If you must boast, boast in the Lord.”

Sometime when you are complimented on an achievement, try responding with something like this, “Thank you. God has truly blessed me.”

Dear Lord, all we have comes from your gracious love for us, working to grow and develop us. Help us remember to give you the credit and glory for the successes and achievement we experience in life,, and use them to further your work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.