Mark 9 includes the story of Jesus healing a boy who was possessed by a demon who would throw him into convulsions.

Mark 9 :21-22 says, “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

The man said “if you can” to Jesus. The man must have heard the stories of Jesus healing other people, and was looking desperately to find a way to help his son. Even though he probably had heard stories of Jesus healing people, he was not sure Jesus could, or would, heal his son.

Don’t we sometimes fall into this place of doubt, not sure God can solve the difficult problem we have.

In those times, think about these words. “Don’t say “can God,” say “God can.”

Dear Lord, We know that with you, all things are possible. Help us remember to pray and ask with confidence, and remember “God can.”
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Often times people use the words knowledge, understanding and wisdom interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing.

Actually there are significant distinctions between these words, particularly with reference to the Bible.

We can look at knowledge as the facts or data, understanding as, what the facts mean, and wisdom as, what do I do about it.

Applying this to our Bible and faith, we read a verse and know what the words say, that is knowledge. We consider the words and cross reference with other bible verses and stories to understand what the words are trying to tell us. However, the very important piece is what do we do after we understand what the words mean, that is wisdom.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

So let us always take time after reading our bible, and ask for God’s wisdom on how to apply it in our lives.

Dear Lord, we know that You are the source of wisdom. Give us this wisdom as you promise so that we will know with confidence how to proceed in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you have savings invested in stocks or mutual funds, you have probably noticed that the stockmarkets in the US and most of the world are down over 10% in the first couple weeks of 2016. It is very difficult to look at the balances in our accounts and see that amounts we were “counting on” have disappeared. I read that over two trillion dollars of “wealth” was wiped out in these last two weeks. As difficult as it feels when these type of things occur, it gives us the opportunity to stop and remember where our hope should be.

David wrote in Psalm 30:6, “When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” Your favor O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.”

It is not our large accounts, great jobs, or investment skills that bring us security, it is God’s favor on us. He can take the poor and make them rich, and take the rich and make them poor. We need to keep our focus on God and his will and he will be our source of peace and security.

Dear Lord, Your favor and mercy is what we need for our peace, security and all our needs. Help us remember to look for and do what you would want us to do, and rely on you to provide for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The day is 24 hours long because that is how long it takes for the earth to rotate once, and a year is one revolution around the sun, but why does the whole world operate on a seven day week?

There is no astrological, or physical reason for the significance of seven days.

The true reason for a seven day week is that God created the universe in seven days. God created the seven day week. This is recorded in the oldest history book, the Bible.

Genesis 2:1-3 writes, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creatingthat he had done.

Many people try to remove God and Christianity from our culture and try to prevent people from being exposed to anything to do with God, but we need to resist this and keep God’s message available for people to see.

The next time you hear someone dispute God’s existence, ask them why the world operates on a seven day week. It may get them to open up their heart and mind to God’s influence.

Dear Lord, There are many who are influenced by the devil and the world to reject the belief in you, and want others to reject it as well. Help us have the wisdom and courage to counter their attempts to cover the light of your Good News. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the discussions I occasionally have with other Christians, and you may too, is, What to do when you see someone begging on the street corner.

There is no question that a person that has come to the point of begging on a street corner needs help. But what kind of help? Are they just trying to get money to buy drugs or alcohol? Are they actually homeless? Is there really any way to know in the short time we may be sitting at the traffic light? It is so easy to judge the person by looking at the new tennis shoes rather than looking at their despair.

There are lots of good ideas, like making care packs with useful items along with notes showing locations of shelters, soup kitchens, and churches, or grabbing an extra burger at the drive through and taking it back, or giving them the leftovers you are bringing home from a dinner out.

What does the Bible say? First, Jesus says “You will always have the poor among you.” so we will always have this mission. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you!” and Proverbs 21:2 “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”

Paul says in Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” and Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

My takeaway is that we need to look at these people with love and compassion and do what we feel the Spirit is guiding us to do. Whether that is a smile and wave, an encouraging comment, a tract, bible, care pack, five bucks, burger, or stopping and learning about their situation, I think what is in our hearts and what we do about it is what matters. And always say a prayer for guidance and for God to help that person.

Dear lord, help us remember that all people are our neighbors and need your love through our love. Give us the wisdom and guidance to find the way to show your love to those in despair so that we may help bring them to you and ease their suffering. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.