Though some don’t like to think of it, the Bible clearly states that the devil and his spirits are around trying to destroy us.

1 Peter 5:8-9 says “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary, the devil, prowls around looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith.”

The devil is trying to separate us from our God; condemning us to damnation. He has many methods to deceive us and distract us to get us to sin. Then when we do sin, he tries to make us feel so much shame that we don’t believe we can be forgiven.

Resist. The devil is no match for us when we have God with us. Pray for protection. Accept the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus. Live in the peace and joy that can only come through faith in Jesus.

Dear Lord protect us from the evil ways of the devil, so that we may live our lives focused on serving your purposes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I am sure you have heard the expression “I’ll believe it when I see it.” That is the opposite of how we need to live as Christians.

The Bible tells us is that we have to believe before we can see. We must have faith described in Hebrews 11:1 as, “..confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” or as Hebrews 11:6 says, “..because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” and Psalms 27:13 says, “I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Just like a builder does not start construction until he “believes” he will complete his project and see the result, we need to believe in the promises God gives us, to answer our prayers, protect us, and guide us, and most of all forgive us, while we wait to see the result.

Dear Lord, help us put our confidence in you, and have the strength to believe before we can see. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Mark 5 includes a number of well known accounts of Jesus’ miracles. In verses 21-43 Jesus was asked by Jairus, a leader of a local synagogue (church), to visit his home to heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was traveling, he was interrupted by the crowds. Before Jesus and Jairus reached Jairus’ home, messengers arrived to tell him that his daughter had died.

How difficult this experience must have been for Jairus. He came to Jesus having heard that he was healing people around the countryside. As Jesus had become a “celebrity” Jairus must have been hopeful and optimistic when Jesus agreed to come to his home. Then to have Jesus delayed in the crowd and then ultimately hear that his daughter had died must have crushed his hope and spirit.

Verses 35-36 say, “They told him, Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now. Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Don’t we all have those situations when we could lose our hope for a positive outcome. At those times Jesus says to us, “Don’t be afraid, Just have faith.”

We don’t know what God has in store, but we do know that he loves us and has plans for our good.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put our faith and trust in you even when it looks to us like all hope is lost. You have powers we cannot imagine and plans we would not expect. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hopefully we have all experienced a person who amazes us with their exceptional work and performance in their job. For example, the sales person who knows just how to find you exactly what you were looking for without being pushy, the service technician with a bright smile and polite “yes sir” “yes ma’am”, the contractor who proudly strives for perfection, meticulously cleans up, and patiently explains everything to his customer, or the doctor or nurse who, with angelic like compassion and tenderness, cares for the dying patient. These people not only bring great credit on themselves, they make their employers and organizations look good to those who see their service.

In much the same way, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that we are the “light of the world,” and to in verse 16 he says, “In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” When we do good, we are bringing credit (glory) to God, whom we follow.

I have heard it said this way, “You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.” We have an opportunity every day to demonstrate Gods love to those we contact.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that our actions demonstrate what Christians are to people around us. Help us do good and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If we think about it, we have all been part of achieving something that required a team, working together to accomplish something we could not have done on our own. It may have been a sports team, a community or church project, or even a business startup. All significant successes are the result of a team of people’s efforts.

Doing God’s work is the same, but with an important addition. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3:6,7, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.”

In doing God’s work, we each have our part to play. When we work together and have faith, God will “make the seed grow.”

Dear Lord, You are the power behind all our success, help us remember to work together to spread your word and love, with faith that you will make the seed grow. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.