We put time, energy and care into protecting and providing for those that we love; parents and children, siblings, friends that need help, and those less fortunate who cannot provide for themselves. We watch over those who we love.

An interesting verse to think about is Psalm 145:20, which says, “The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”

It would seem to make more sense if the verse said, “the Lord watches over all whom he loves,” but the verse turns it around and says He will watch over those who love him. So when we love God we affect God’s response to us.

Dear Lord, help us show our love for you by putting your will first in our lives, and following your guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of the many ways the devil works to separate us from God is by using good things that God has provided, against us. An example of this is ambition and determination. When we place too much emphasis on achieving what are good desires like, academic or athletic achievement, business success, and even success at our churches, they can become more important to us than they should, displacing God as our priority.

James writes in James 4:13-15, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

As James writes if we start our plans with, “If the Lord wills, I plan to…” it will help us keep our priorities in order.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the desires and ambitions that you place in our hearts. Help us keep our priorities straight to avoid these desires from becoming our idols. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Great we think, “Faith is confidence in something we want, but don’t see how it can happen.” That doesn’t help us if we know the answer to the question, “How do we get faith?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:17, He answer’s that question, writing, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Do you want faith? Read God’s word and hear it preached.

Dear Lord, You lead us to the answers in the Bible. Help us overcome our resistance to read and hear your word preached, so that we might have the faith in what we hope for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today is Palm Sunday, many churches distribute palm branches during Palm Sunday service, but this year many churches will not be having services due to precautions caused by the virus we face. Though this is difficult and unfortunate, we can make the most of it and read the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem In Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 or John 12.

As Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, the many people who had heard and seen his miracles and heard his teachings followed him singing his praises. I imagine it was something like the parades we see for the World Series, or Super Bowl champions through their towns.

However all the people did not believe that Jesus was sent by God, and though Jesus scolded those who challenged him, he also was saddened by their disbelief. Luke 19:41-42 tells us, “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.”

I think Jesus may be looking at our world today and saying the same. “How I wish that you would understand the way to peace.” Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Let us know God’s peace and say like those on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9.

Praise to you our Savior. Give us your peace and save us from our current peril so that we might return to our churches, and chapels to praise and worship you together again. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Even amidst the uncertainty and fear of the future we are currently experiencing, it is good for us to stop what we are doing once in a while to reflect and remember how great and powerful God is. We can look around at the beauty, magnitude, complexity, and mystery of everything that he created, and see it. Then to think that we are one of his children, he knows us and cares about each of us should make us feel great, joyful, and loved. I’ll call it a “state of joy”

David wrote about this in Psalm 100:1-3 “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Dear Lord, you are more majestic and powerful than we can even understand, and to think that you care enough about us to save us through Jesus Christ, brings us humility and great joy! Praise the Lord. Amen.