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.

There is a bit of controversy around the idea that God gives good things to people who honor him and do his will. Some pastors are called “prosperity preachers” for over-emphasizing God’s favor, and then there are those who criticize that type of message.

What does the Bible say?

Psalm 34:12-15 writes, “Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” and James says in James 2:22, speaking about Abraham, “…his faith and his actions worked together.”

We are saved by God’s love for us through Jesus, as a result, we should do what he teaches. When we do, God will support us, care for us, and provide for us.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “…God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches.”

Dear Lord, we should do good, as a response to our faith. Whether we call it favor or not, we know if we do your will, there is no limit to what you can provide to us to fulfill our needs. Help us truly believe this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is a concept in Mathematics called a Proof. A Proof is a step by step demonstration that a formula is actually true. A teacher or professor would ask a student something like, “Prove that the area of a rectangle is its length multiplied by its height,” and the student would explain the steps that show this formula is true.

In Matthew 3:8 John the Baptist tells the Pharasees, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”

If he asked us, could we “prove,” by our behavior, that we have repented, turned from our sinfulness and worked at doing God’s will?

Dear Lord, You know our every thought and action, and know whether we are truly repentant. Give us the strength and will to turn from, and resist, our sinful desires and actions, so that our lives “prove” our repentance. in Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is an age, maybe 4 or 5 years old, where children seem to be just amazed about everything. When someone captures their attention, they will listen intently, with respect, to learn all they can. They believe what they are being taught and ask questions out of curiosity not suspicion. It is truly amazing to watch.

In Mark 10:14,15, Jesus tells the disciples , “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

We need to approach our Christian faith in this way. With humble curiosity, and a desire to learn and accept.

Dear Lord, help us let our guard down, and come to you with the faith of a child. Help us believe your teaching and promises with curiosity not suspicion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

John 19:30 Jesus says from the Cross, “It is finished.”

The mission of taking the burden and accountability for our sin, that he came to earth to accomplish, was finished. Then, as described in Matthew 27:51, “At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart”

The curtain was what separated the sanctuary from the “Holy of Holies” where only the Jewish High Priest was allowed to enter to be closest to God. Now with the curtain torn, there is no special place to be close to God. Now Jesus is the connection that all of us have.

Dear Lord, How wonderful it is that, “It is finished” are not words of death and despair for us, but words of forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.