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

Ever wonder why we end our prayers with “in Jesus’ name we pray”?

In John 14:13 Jesus is talking to his disciples telling them that if they believe in him, they will do greater things than he has done. He then says “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” NLT

Think about it this way. Say you were waiting in line to pickup the latest electronic gadget (iphone, gaming console, video game) and realized you forgot your pre-purchase coupon that allowed you to pick up the gadget that day. You remember it was on the counter in your apartment. Someone standing with you in line offers to go to your apartment and get it for you. If this stranger showed up at your apartment and told your roommate to let him in to look for a coupon, your roommate would probably call the police. However, if the stranger said that you had sent him, and you sent him to look precisely in a certain place on the counter for the coupon, your roommate would have a different understanding, and probably help. So the stranger is asking “in your name.”

So we ask our prayers to be answered in Jesus’ name, knowing that Jesus told us to do this and he will give us what we ask “so that the Son can bring glory to the Father”

Dear Lord help us to ask you for those things we need to help us be better Christians and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Occasionally we all have a problem that we have no idea how it can work out for the best; a situation that looks impossible to solve.

It is easy for us, Christians, to believe in our minds and in an academic way that God is all powerful, capable of doing anything. However, when things are difficult for us, especially when we have created our own problems, it is not so easy to believe in real and practical terms that God can and will resolve it for us.

At those times a great verse to remember is Psalms 46:10. He [God] says, “Be still, and know that I am God….”

Solving our problems is easy for God. We don’t always know how he will do it, but we need to ask, and know, without doubt that he can.

Dear Lord, remind us of your power and help us live our lives truly knowing that you are almighty. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.