You have probably heard this expression at some time. If not, the point is that you have more success persuading and influencing someone if you are nice.

Paul talks about using a similar approach with people. In 2 Timothy 2:25,26 Paul writes, Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them, they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. Then they will come to their senses and escape from Satan’s trap of slavery to sin, which he uses to catch them whenever he likes, and then they can begin doing the will of God.”

When we are discussing scripture and doctrine with others, we need to be patient and kind. We are not alone, God is working on them as well. Our message may not be accepted at the time, but after additional thought people may come to agreement.

Dear Lord, help us have the confidence to present your word to others, courteously, as Paul says. Help us realize that we don’t need to “win” the argument, just present your truth as we understand it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Different parts of the bible use different types of writing to convey God’s message to us. Some are stories about particular events that we can use as metaphors for our lives 2000 years later, like David and Goliath, teaching us about faith in God giving us ability to overcome, or Peter walking on water, teaching us to trust.

In the story of Esau trading his birthright in Genesis 25:29-34, Esau came in from a hard day of hunting and was very hungry. Thinking only about his immediate desires he asks his younger brother Jacob for some of the stew he was cooking. Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”. So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.”

Esau trades something precious and irreplaceable for immediate gratification. We need to think about this in our lives. Are we trading things of long term value, like our integrity, our reputation, our health, or even our salvation for something we want right now, like entertainment, convenience, or short term pleasures.

Dear Lord, help us remember what is important in our lives, and to think about the long term consequences of our decisions before we make them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

And God looked over everything he had made and saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31

I am having the opportunity to experience the amazing beauty of creation along the Lake Michigan shoreline on a warm and calm summer day. It is amazing how pleasant the combinations of sounds, smells, sights, and sensations all come together on the beach on a day like this. It is such a clear indication of God’s intent to make a beautiful habitat for us on earth. Look around the rest of our solar system, the planets are nothing like earth, solid rocks and balls of gasses.

It is hard to dispute that the beauty and complexity of the universe, our solar system, and earth were created on purpose. Psalm 19:1-4 says “The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world.”

Thank you Lord for the beautiful creation you have made for us. Help us share with others our beliefs that this beautiful creation was made by you for our use and to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is great to pray for little things, and have an ongoing conversation with God throughout our day. Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray continually.” We can ask for God to help us do well on a test, or close an important sale, or have a good report from a doctor visit. These are all fine to ask for, but those things could happen with or without God’s help.

However, how often do we ask for really significant things that cannot happen without God’s intervention? Things like unexpected funds for your church to make needed improvements, healing of a chronic medical condition, or straightening up of a wayward relative or friend. In John 14:13-14 Jesus says, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” If we truly believe in God’s power, and believe that what we want will bring Glory to God, we should be asking for things that are impossible without God’s supernatural input.

Dear Lord, Help us also remember that you are God and there are no limits to your capabilities. Help us also remember your promise to do whatever we ask so that it brings glory to God. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

One of the difficulties of life as a Christian, is praying and hoping for God’s favor or intervention and for events to work in our interest, but sometimes they don’t. No matter how much we pray, or believe in God’s power to control the events, he does not always give us what we ask for.

We most likely will never know the reasons God decides to answer our prayers how he does, but we do learn from Romans 9 verse 15–16, “for He [God] said to Moses, “I wll have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassions.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort but on God’s mercy.”

In Egypt, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Paul writes in Romans 9:17 about Pharaoh, ” I [God] raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

We should still pray and ask for God’s actions in our life and world, because he is clear on our need for prayer, and to bring our cares and concerns to him. In the end we always know as written in Romans 8:28, “…that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Dear Lord, help us to remember that your ways are higher than ours. Help us learn to include in our prayers, “not our will but Your’s be done.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.