A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the amazing Palace of Versailles in France. This was the center of power and the Palace of French Kings and Royalty for about 100 years in the 1600 and 1700’s.

It is very difficult to appreciate the scale of this Palace, and the wealth it demonstrates. The palace is over 700,000 square feet, with 700 rooms, amazing architecture, and spectacular art throughout. It has it’s own “chapel” that looks like a cathedral inside. The Palace is on a couple thousand acres of manicured gardens, precisely oriented lakes, with ancient statues lining the walkways. It is hard to believe that this was someone’s property, and residence.

I think about this Palace when reading Luke 12:32, where Jesus says, “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

I realize that Jesus is not referring to an earthly kingdom, but to a heavenly kingdom. We know, however, that no earthly kingdom or wealth can compare to the the value of the heavenly kingdom, and Jesus is telling us God takes pleasure in giving this to us.

When we are in need of the simple necessities, or even those special things we hope for, we should remember that God loves us enough to give us this most valuable of all gifts. We can be sure he will provide us everything we need in life as well.

Dear Lord, you know our every need, hope and desire. Help us remember that you care about us enough to give us the most valuable thing, our salvation, we can be sure you can give us our other needs as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a perspective that everyone has a World View, whether they think about it or not, and a World View must include four pieces to be complete. These pieces are Origin – Where does everything come from? Morality – What is the source of right and wrong? Meaning – Why are we here? and Destiny – What happens after earthly death?

I think most Christians have a good handle on Origin, Morality, and Destiny, but I think we don’t have clarity on the Meaning topic. Why are we here?

St. Paul addresses this very succinctly in Romans 11:36, writing “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”

Dear Lord, help us remember that all you have made, including us and everything we have, comes from you and is intended to glorify you. Help us live this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have ever been fishing you know that sometimes you can throw any bait in the water and the fish bite, but other times you need just the right fishing hole, and just the right bait in order to catch a fish. Fly fisherman study the types of bugs that fish are eating and create lures (bait) to look similar and attract the fish. Even with that, the smart fish will come and take a look, but move on if the bait doesn’t look right.

In a similar way, the Devil fishes for people with temptations to catch their attention and draw them into sin and disobedience to God. Some are easy to catch, others more difficult. He will search for the just the right bait to tempt each of us; pride, greed, envy, immorality, dishonesty, fear, worry, or one of many others. It may seem like we don’t stand a chance against the power of the Devil, but God promises that He will always provide a way out of the temptation.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” We cannot avoid being tempted, but we can ignore the bait and not act on the temptation.

When we successfully overcome it makes us more capable to overcome the next time temptation arises.

Dear Lord, We know that we will be tempted, when we are, help us remember that you will provide a way out and help us overcome. As difficult as it may be to resist, we know as Paul says in Philippians 4:13, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all have unique strengths and weaknesses, and we all are at different places in our journey of faith.

Paul tells us that prayer is a strength all of us can improve, in Philippians 4:6-7 he says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” NLT

This isn’t just a nice “feel good” comment by Paul, it is an instruction. When we have concerns, rather than thinking about all the negative possibilities over and over, we should determine what we need to resolve the concern, and ask God for it. Then after asking, we should thank God for answering, in His way. By doing this we are handing the concern over to God, and we can have the peace in knowing that it is in His hands.

Dear Lord, you know it is often difficult for us to just “not worry.” Please help us remember to ask for what we need, thank you, and accept your promise of the peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all probably ask God for things that are beyond the bare necessities of life; Wants rather than just needs. I think God is pleased that we include him in all aspects of our lives and hears our requests, regardless of what they are. How he responds is based on his plans for us. However, when we receive what we ask, or God answers with something even better, it is important to remember that these things are blessings from God.

Deuteronomy 8:10 says, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”and verse 18 says, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
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It is said that God gives us what we ask for, or something better Let us be thankful in advance with confidence in God’s care for us.

Dear Lord, you hear our prayers, know our needs and know even our secret desires. Thank you for giving us all we have, all we need, and answering our prayers, in your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.