You have likely heard of “pass interference” in American football, when one player physically interferes with an opposing player’s ability to catch a pass.

A close reading of the parable of the spreading of the seed in Luke 8:4-15 tells us that the Devil tries to interfere with people’s acceptance of God’s word. You may recall the parable, the farmer spreads seed, some falls on the hard footpath, some on rocky ground, some in the thorns, and some on good soil.

In verse 12 Jesus begins to explain the parable and he says “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”

The Devil is out there trying to interfere with our hearing and accepting God’s word. We need to realize this, and defend ourselves with the tools God has given us; The Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and fight back with the Sword of the Spirit that is the word of God, as described in Ephesians 6.

Dear Lord, as we say in the Lord’s Prayer, “deliver us from evil,” Help us rely on you to defend against the devil’s schemes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Is there someone and someplace that just makes you happy even thinking about. For example, walking on the beach with your spouse, playing games around the table with your children, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your friends,, or even playing with your dog or cat. Just being around them brings you a feeling of joy.

In a similar way, Psalm 16:11 says about God, “… in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we can truly experience God’s presence in our lives, we can feel the peace and joy that He promises. In order to get closer to God’s presence, we do like James writes in 4:8 “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you.”

Dear Lord help us do those things that draw us closer to you, reading your word and putting it into practice, that we may experience the fullness of joy you promise. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

If you are like me, you probably pray often for your family, friends, and for your own wants and needs, but maybe not as much for those outside that circle. We need to make an effort to expand those for whom we pray. Lately, I have been trying something new. When I am inclined to be irritated with someone, I try to use this feeling as a reminder to pray for them instead.

I like the way the Living Bible translates, Paul’s direction in his letter to Timothy, 1 Timothy 2:1, “Here are my directions; Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.” the passage continues, in verse 3, “for this is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth.”

Dear Lord, There are so many people who need help, and we are just one person. Help us remember to use our prayers to intercede for them, and give thanks that you hear us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably heard people In sports, music, writing, art, and probably other activities talk about being in “the zone.” “The zone” is meant to describe a state of concentration and focus that allows you to perform exactly the way you like, smoothly, flawlessly.

In some ways, there is a “zone” we can get into spiritually, where we feel like we are smoothly moving along a path on which God is guiding us. It is a great feeling, unfortunately it gets interrupted by our own mistakes, and sometimes God’s challenges for us.

I think this is what Romans 12:2 is describing when Paul writes, “….change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”

Changing the way we think is using God’s template, outlined in the Bible as our model, rather than the template that happens to be popular with people.

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your spirit to us to help and guide us. Help us renew our minds and hearts focusing on you and your will, so that we might get “in the zone,” Your zone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sometimes reading different bible translations helps with our understanding of the message, or gives us a different way of looking at it.

The New Living Translation NLT of Psalm 37:3 gives us a great and concise formula for how we should live and a promise of the outcome. It says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.”

This is a pretty simple and straight forward message by which to live.

Dear Lord, help us truly put our trust in you and be good, by sharing your love with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.