You have probably seen those crystal figurines in jewelry stores, one of the most famous brand is Swarovski. It is amazing how these sculptures sparkle and reflect the light. Although the crystal is just glass, it sparkles so much more than ordinary glass because it has a “secret” ingredient, lead, added to the sand that is melted to form the glass. It is the fact that the lead is in the glass that makes it different and more dazzling.

In a similar way, Paul writes about God’s mystery and secret in Colossians 1:27, “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you the assurance of sharing his glory.” It is this secret ingredient in Christians that makes them different, and which makes us look different to God. He does not see the ordinary person, he sees us with the “dazzle” of Christ in us.

Dear Lord Jesus, It is only by the “secret” of your grace changing our appearance that we can be seen as acceptable to God, and saved. What an assuring mystery this is for us. Help us embrace this secret and live our lives demonstrating Christ living in us. In His name we pray. Amen.

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I occasionally have tried to describe God to myself in a few words, and what I come down to most often is that God is Power and Love.

Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

When we are filled with God’s Spirit we also receive God’s power and love flowing through us. Fortunately, Paul also tells us the Spirit provides “self-discipline” or as some Bible versions translate it, “self-control,” which we men and women often need more of.

With these gifts from the Spirit, it is no wonder that Christians throughout history have done amazing things for their fellow men and women.

Dear Lord, give us your Spirit so that we may be filled with the power, love, and discipline to do your will on earth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Many may be familiar with this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, known as “The Man in The Arena,”

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

I think this quote has some parallels to Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:8-12,

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, 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, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

Roosevelt encourages us to strive, try things, get out of our comfort zone, and not be the critic of others. Peter tells us the arena in which we are strive is our relationships with each other, following Christ’s example, of love, humility, shunning evil, and searching for peace.

Dear Lord, in this arena on earth, you set the standard for us to follow. Help us take on the challenge, not being the one criticizing others, but the one who strives to take the high road of love, humility, and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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At the end of most worship services, the pastor sends the congregation out with a blessing. In Numbers 6 God tells Moses how this blessing should go. You have probably heard these words many times. Verses 24-26 say, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” ESV

In the Living Bible, verse 27 says, “This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

We need to remember these amazing words when receiving this blessing. God said, “and I myself will personally bless them.” What a comfort this can be to those who believe, that God has personally blessed each of us.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the blessing of your love and care for each of us. Help us live lives in bold faith, knowing that you are always there to guide and protect us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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There is a popular business book called “One Thing” and the author’s main point is that in order to succeed we need to focus intently on one thing. If you are old enough to remember the Billy Crystal comedy movie, City Slickers, there was a tough old cowboy character, “Curly,” played by Jack Palance, who had a famous scene where he said, holding up one finger, “The secret of life was one thing…., you have to find out what that one thing is for you.”

In the account of Mary and Martha recorded in Luke 10, Jesus came to visit sisters Mary and Martha, and while Jesus was there, Martha was busy with all the activities of hosting Jesus’ visit, but Mary sat and listened to Jesus teaching. This upset Martha who told Jesus it was not fair that Martha was working hard on all the arrangements while Mary sat listening to Jesus and not helping. Jesus’ answer was, Luke 10:42,43, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There is only one thing we also need to be concerned with, and that is following Jesus. When we keep this as our focus we stay on the right path.

Dear Lord, You have given us the incredible gift of Salvation through Jesus’ Christ. Help us remember that this is the one thing that matters most. In His name we pray. Amen.

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