Why do we worry? At the root of most worry is a lack of confidence that we will get a good outcome of some situation in which we find ourselves, or a situation that someone we care about is experiencing.

Our worrying will obviously not change anything. In Matthew 6:27 Jesus says, “Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?” TLB. Not only will worrying not help, but it can actually cause damage as Psalms 37:8 says, “…do not fret and worry-it leads only to harm.” TLB

It is easy to say, “just don’t worry,” but not so easy to do. What then is the solution to replace the worry? The solution as written in 1 Peter 5:7 is to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” NIV Hand over your concerns to God, say a prayer, and trust he will guide and protect you and those you love.

Dear Lord, we have fears in our lives and even though we may know that we shouldn’t worry, help us truly replace our worry with belief in your love for us and power over all our concerns. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever painted over a bad color on a wall, or crayon drawings your children colored on the wall; maybe graffiti on a building. Isn’t the transformation intersting?

Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8. “Above all maintain constant love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Proverbs 10:12 says. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all sins.” Like painting over the blemishes on our walls, love for others, helps us overlook their blemishes, their love for us also allows them to overlook ours, and most importantly God’s love for us through Salvation covers our sins like they never happened.

Dear Lord, thank you for the love you provided us, that covers our sins, help us share your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we read our bible, there is more happening than just the words we are reading on the page. We are showing our love and commitment to God, and we are opening up for the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Paul writes in Thessalonians 1:5, “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” Jesus said in John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” NIV

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the Bible, as a connection to you, and the Holy Spirit that teaches us and keeps us in faith in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Don’t know where to start? try www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever had someone question whether you “really believe that stuff?,” referring to Christianity, or has someone presented the opportunity for you to share your faith when they were sincerely searching for hope during a difficult time?

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 21:13-15, that there will be times when they would be questioned, challenged, made fun of and even tortured and killed for their faith. He told them however, “but make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” NIV

Hopefully none of us will have to face physical danger for our faith, but most of us, at some point, will be put in a position to affirm our faith to someone. Remember not to worry, God will give us the words and wisdom we need.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance you provide us, knowing we are not on our own, you are there to give us the words and wisdom we need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

You probably know the story of Cain and Able, the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Able was a shepherd. Able’s offerings were looked on with favor by God, but Cain’s were not. Cain was angry and ended up killing Able.

An interesting part of the story written in the bible before Cain kills Able is in Genesis 4:6,7. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” NIV

The lesson for us is that we need to strive to do what is right. When we do not, we are making ourselves more vulnerable to sin and temptation, which is “crouching at our door.” We are told to “rule over it” which we can do with God’s help.

Dear Lord, Help us stay on the right path, and strive to do what is right, so we can “rule over” the temptations to sin. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen