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.

Global Warming, Climate Change, Overpopulation, MERS, SARS, Bird Flu, etc we hear in the media about all the calamities we should be afraid of. This is not a new phenomenon.

In the old testament, Isaiah the prophet was told by God that Assyria was soon going to conquer Israel. He said, however, in Isaiah 8:12-14, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He is the one who will keep you safe” NLT

Without a doubt there are risks and dangers in our life, but we need to remember who controls it all. We should put our “fear” in God’s power not the risks and dangers of the day. We need to put our faith and hope in God who has the power to deliver us from our fears here on earth, and after we leave our earthly life.

Dear Lord, help us remember that you are in control of everything on earth. When we truly put our faith in you we have nothing to fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is not uncommon for us to pray and ask for God’s help when we encounter those difficult and frightening events in life. Even people who have no time for God under normal circumstances will go to God in prayer for intervention when they are in trouble, and that is a good thing. God loves us all and maybe He is using the troubles to help people reconnect or return to Him.

What about when things are great? How common is it for us to go to God when things are going well for us; When we get promoted, get a big bonus, child gets a scholarship, we ace a difficult test, play a great round of golf, or have a great day at the park or beach with our family.

James writes in James 5:13 “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” NLT

In those great times of life, we need to take time out and give praise and thanks to God who controls all and gives us all that we have.

Dear Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers when we are in trouble. Thank you also for the many incredible blessings you have given us in our modern lives. Most of all praise and thanks to you for your grace and mercy shown through Jesus Christ our Savior. In His name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever had a conversation with the parent of a toddler who was playing on the park playscape? The parent’s eyes are always darting back toward the toddler, ready to run and protect the child from a fall, from some other danger, or from getting out of sight.

In ways, this is what is described in Psalm 33:18 which says, “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

God is watching and is aware of our situations; our successes and struggles, our hopes and our fears. We are not alone, He is always there and ready when we call.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us use this confidence to be bold Christians sharing your love and good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Picture in you mind a US military soldier, in desert camouflage, flack jacket, kevlar helmet with night vision goggles attached, M4 rifle slung across his chest, pistol in a tactical holster on his leg, extra magazines of bullets strapped on his harness. If you had to come up with one word to describe this picture, I would guess the word would not be Love. However, if you asked why they serve or served in the US military, most would include their love for the United States, and what is stands for, as a primary reason.

But most of all, when it comes right down to the decision to put one’s life at risk, most soldiers do it to protect the soldier next to him or her.

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

So I must say that, even though they might be embarrassed by the description, US soldiers put their lives on the line out of Love for their comrade.

Today we remember the many US soldiers who loved enough to risk, and especially those who gave their lives so that we have the security, and freedom we have, today. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

Dear Lord, thank you for the courageous men and women who have served and given all so that we can have our amazing country. Please help us respect their sacrifice and maintain the American qualities they died to protect. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.