We all face challenges, frustrations and tragedies in our lives, and while we are on earth we will never really know why. However, I am coming to the belief that the reasons may boil down to one of two things. “Self-Inflicted” We disobey God’s direction with our behavior, and he lets us receive the consequences of our decisions. Or, “Tests and Trials” God is challenging us to make us stronger in our faith, or testing us to verify we will rely on him and respond the way he would have us respond.

For example of “Self-Inflicted”, we cheat on our taxes and end up getting audited, or cheat on a test and get caught. “Tests and Trials,” we find out we owe taxes, or we didn’t have time to study for the test. God is waiting to see what we will do. This is our challenge, will we trust God and be honest, or will we look for the dishonest short cut. If we trust God, He can always find a way to help us, he’s God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.”

Dear Lord, We see your mercy and grace on those who trust you, if we look for it. Help us realize that if we follow your guidance, and put our trust in you, we will avoid the “Self-Inflicted” problems in life, and you will coach us through the other “Tests and Trials.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Surrender: Definition – to give oneself up into the power of another.

The picture we usually have in our minds when we think of the word surrender, is the white flag of one side in a battle, surrendering to the other, with the likelyhood of unpleasant consequences like imprisonment, or execution.

However, I believe surrendering is what God is really asking of us. He is asking for us to give ourselves up to his power, but different from surrendering to our enemy, we are giving ourselves up to someone who loves us and wants what is best for us.

Psalm 37:7 in the God’s Word translation writes, “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”

Dear Lord, You are the ultimate power and love. Surrendering ourselves to you gives us great comfort and strength. Help us keep that in our minds so we will have the strength to do your will and the comfort of knowing that you have us in your care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever wonder how and why when you see people who’s stories describe them going from completely “anti-Christian” to incredibly devout productive Christian authors, pastors and evangelists.

The most obvious from bible times was Paul who God turned from persecuting Christians to being instrumental in the rapid growth of the early church.

Some others are CS Lewis, the author of many Christian books including the Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and many others. He writes of being an atheist until his 30’s then God used him to write some of the best non-fiction Christian books and Novels.

Another interesting person that made a dramatic conversion is an author named Lee Strobel, a Yale educated lawyer and journalist, who was an avowed atheist until his wife became a Christian. He began researching Christianity in order to disprove it to his wife, and found himself accepting Christianity. He has subsequently written many Christian books including, The Case for Christ, and The Case for a Creator, evangelical programs and speaks on Christianity and Evangelism around the world.

It is truly amazing what God can do with people. In Phlippians 2:12,13 Paul writes, “..Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. It is God working through these people and us that makes the difference.

Dear Lord your power is amazing. Help us never forget how, if it is your will, you make dramatic changes in people that we would never expect. Help us obey you and give us the desire and power to do your will, as well.. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Yesterday in Paris we witnessed another example of the evil that the devil can convince men to conduct. We see the same occurring in the Middle East with the evil taking place by ISIS. It is easy for these things to stir up hate in us, for these people, but we must not hate. When we hate, we are being taken over by the same evil power that motivates these terrorists.

How easy it is for me to say, when I did not lose loved ones in this attack, but we all have heard Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies.” Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

However, I believe it is our duty as a nation to actively defend ourselves and others from this evil. Not out of revenge, but out of love and care for each other.

Our anger should be toward the source of the evil, the devil. Our best defense and offense is a strong faith in God, who has complete control of all. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.” and verse 11, “Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord” We don’t know why God let this happen, but we must remember, He is God and we are not.

Dear Lord, we know you have control over all things, but we struggle sometimes to understand why this type of event is in your plans. Help us have faith and trust in you anyway, and share that faith with others. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, and give strength, wisdom and courage to those who search for the perpetrators and those who work to defend us against this evil in other parts of the world. Maybe this tragedy can open hearts to you in these regions that have have turned from you in recent years. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We see in the Bible stories of people who are following God’s instruction but for different reason’s they lose their discipline, and begin doing things they know are wrong, and putting things above God in their lives. One small step at a time and they end up completely disobeying God’s direction; People like Solomon and the Jews in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. We see this in our lives today, as well, people we know who were faithful members of our churches, and even pastors, fall away and then begin making bad decisions that drag them further astray.

Maintaining our faith requires the discipline to read God’s word, think about it, pray, worship and strive to practice God’s direction. Like maintaining our bodies, we need to eat well in order to stay healthy.

I think this is the idea Jesus was trying to deliver in the story of his temptation, while he was fasting int the desert, recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew 4:3,4 says, “During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Just like food is for life, God’s words of instruction, education, and salvation are the food we need for our Christian life on earth and eternally, without it we are starving ourselves, making us weaker and easier prey for temptation.

Dear Lord, thank you for your word that provides us the spiritual food we need to make us strong and resilient. Help us have the discipline to study it regularly to keep ourselves firm in our faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.