It has become pretty clear in modern times that we have much more to learn about how our brain works, how the conscious and subconscious activities affect each other, and the power our brain has on the rest of our bodies and our state of being. Our thoughts can change our emotions, and it is clear that our thoughts can affect our physical condition making us ill and healthy. It is also clear that we have the ability to control what we think about.

These concepts remind me of Paul’s words in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” One version writes it like this, “….. but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

I have recently heard it said, “Your personality is the combination of your thoughts, emotions and actions, and your personality creates your personal reality.”

Do we let circumstances decide how we will think, and thereby what person we are? or do we let God transform us into the people filled with, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” as Paul tells us the Holy Spirit gives us in Galatians 5:22-23?

Dear Lord, help us transform the way we think so we become the new people you would have us be; Living lives that bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:7-8, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Pagans do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

This text is followed by Jesus explaining to pray what we now call the Lord’s Prayer.

I timed myself praying the Lord’s Prayer, and it took 25 seconds.

In Matthew 26:40, Jesus scolds the disciples for not being able to stay awake while He prayed for “only one hour.”

If God already knows what we need, and we do not repeat our requests over and over, what does one do when praying for an hour? Maybe most of the time is to listen for God’s answer and guidance.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that prayer is our connection to you, not only for us to talk to you, but for you to talk to us. Help us take the time to quietly wait for your messages. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all know that God created us with a free will to choose. There is a constant battle going on inside each of us; a battle between our desire to choose to obey God and do what is right, and our desire to choose to follow the “self-centered” desires that the world would have us follow.

Think of all the modern day social issues that revolve around the “right” and “freedom” to do things that are clearly wrong according to God.

Paul writes to the church in Galatians 5:13 “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Dear Lord, please help us use the freedom you gave us to live lives that glorify you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 1 tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth. They had no other children, and were much too old to have children without a miracle, but the angel, Gabriel, came to Zechariah and told him they would have a child, who would prepare people for the arrival of the Messiah.

Zechariah was skeptical as a result, Gabriel caused him to be unable to speak until John was born.

When Zechariah was finally allowed to speak, he spoke the prophecy of Jesus’ coming in Luke 1:68-79. The final verses are a beautiful and simple summary of the Good news, Luke 1:78-79 “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Dear Lord, We praise and thank you for sending the “morning light from heaven,” which is Jesus who brings us out of the darkness of our sin and into your light, allowing us to live in Your peace. In His name we pray. Amen.

How often have we faced a situation where we knew what we should do, but had trouble controlling ourselves and doing the right thing? It might be something simple, like skipping desert, working out rather than watching TV, or going to Church rather than sleeping in. It might also be something very serious like avoiding a cigarette for a quitting smoker, a drink for an alcoholic, or drugs for an addict.

Paul says in his letter to the Philippians that he has the secret to being content in “any and every circumstance,” verse 4:13 he writes “for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” TLB

What he is saying is that he doesn’t have to carry the burden of his struggles. Christ carries the burden, allowing him to handle anything, even torture and death for his beliefs which he endured.

Dear Lord Jesus, help us have the knowledge that we can do all things and handle anything if we put our faith in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.