We have all seen examples of high profile “Christians” who by their publicly bad behavior give those who oppose Christianity anecdotes to demonstrate hypocrisy and paint all Christians with that brush. For every one of those bad examples, there are thousands of Christians who do amazing things that bring great glory to God, through their churches, charitable organizations, missions, and hundreds of other places and means.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:15, “It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced it’s power.”

We need to be those positive, helpful, and hopeful people that show how being saved by Christ makes us different and “silences” those who would criticize Christians in general.

Dear Lord, what amazing things you have done for us through your love. Help us reflect that love and confidence in you to those around us, So that your Spirit might also work on them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The bible often writes about how as humans we are “slaves to sin.” Without the salvation we have from Jesus, we cannot overcome the influence of temptation in our lives.

Peter writes something interesting in 1 Peter 4:1,2 about how we can overcome sin in our lives. In the Living Bible translation he writes, “Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires but will be anxious to do the will of God.”

I think what he means when he says to have the “same attitude as Christ,” is that no matter how difficult it will be to overcome the desire to do the wrong thing, which is what he means by “be ready to suffer,” once we overcome, then that desire no longer has power over us. It is like a starving person being manipulated by someone who offers him food, but someone with a full stomach cannot be manipulated this way.

Dear Lord, Thank you for saving us from our slavery to sinful desires. Help us have the will power to “suffer” denying our sinful wants so that we can remove that temptation’s power over us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever experienced this? You go to church Sunday morning then find yourself doing all kinds of things you know you shouldn’t Sunday afternoon, criticizing the driver in the car in front of you, getting angry at your family members for silly reasons, cursing at the referee or umpire on the TV game. As difficult as it may be to overcome these temptations, we need to put our efforts into doing the right things.

James says in his letter to the Christian churches in James 1:21, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

We know we are saved by God’s grace, and not by anything we have done, but now that we are saved, it only makes sense that we would show it in how we live our lives.

In order to know what God tells us to do, we need to read and listen to what the bible says, and not just make up things we think are right.

Dear Lord, help and guide us to read and listen to your words in the bible, so that we know how you say we should be living our lives. Then help us actually do it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning, great time for a run, walk, swim or other workout. Most of us have considered diet plans, workout plans, and vitamins at some point in our lives, Why do we do these things? To look better, to feel better, to live longer? All of which are good reasons.

One other reason we should include is written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where he writes, “Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.” TLB

So when we are thinking about what we do with our bodies, we should remember that our body is God’s body, and we should treat it with that in mind.

Dear Lord, thank you that we live in a time where we have so much opportunity to keep our bodies fit and healthy. Help use to use our bodies in ways that bring honor and glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The disciples and early Christians in the bible often greeted each other with the words “peace be with you.” What is the significance of them wishing each other “peace?”

Peace is contentment, tranquility; The absence of fear, worry, want, anger, and frustration. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, and He tells his disciples in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart!”

We can have the peace he offers if we keep our focus on him and not our problems and the things that take away our peace.

Isaiah writes in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Dear Lord, help us keep our thoughts and trust on you so that we may have your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.