Fear of Government

 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."  Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Governments exert a lot of power over regular citizens.  Sometimes the governments are doing a good job; sometimes they are not. We may fear that our economy will decline because of poor policies.  We may fear being sent to prison for having a certain viewpoint.  We may fear that crime will become rampant because our governors are not keeping control of it. These are not irrational fears.  They are based on real events.  However, God reminds us that above and beyond our governments is God, the supreme ruler of the universe.  "Do not be dismayed" because your souls are safe in God's hands.  Your life is not just this physical life. It is also the spiritual life that you have in Jesus who promises that we will be with him forever, either on earth or in heaven. Worldly governments can ruin our physical lives but they cannot touch our eternal souls.

Dear Lord, thank you for the promise of your everlasting love and care.  Remind me that in the light of eternity, our earthly troubles are fleeting. You understand our concerns but encourage us to  remember your sovereignty over the world which you created.

The Passing World

 "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17 NIV

Our world and our natural desires and passions are transient. Our planet earth will not last forever and certainly our physical lives are quickly over. John wants us to fully grasp the insignificant nature of so much of what we cherish and strive for. Often as people go into old age,  they begin to realize that they have misspent their lives by chasing after prestige, money and superficial love. Death stares them in the face and they are afraid because they don't know what will happen when they die.  But for those people who have aligned their lives with God's will, regrets are replaced with the assurance of his love, and death is something to look forward to as they are eager to have an even deeper relationship with God in heaven.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us of the futility of chasing after worldly things. We thank you for the provisions that you give us but keep it always in our hearts and minds that you are our treasure. What a miracle to be given eternal life with our God.

The Blame Game

"The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit." "The serpent deceived me."  Genesis 3: 12 and 3:13 NIV

From the beginning of time, people have wanted to put the blame on someone or something other than themselves. Adam insinuates that God had some culpability because he gave Adam a woman as a companion. Then he says that Eve gave him the fruit as though he had no chance to refuse it. He makes it sound as though he was powerless in the situation- that it happened to him and he had no responsibility in the matter.  Eve for her part blames the serpent who "deceived" her. She accepts no responsibility for her part in following the serpent's suggestion.  Neither Adam or Eve acknowledge their disobedience to God's clear instruction not to eat of the tree in the middle of the garden. So many people today refuse to admit that they are disobedient to God and that it is their own fault.

Dear Father, please make me aware of situations where I blame you or others for sins of my own doing. I pray that you will bring truth to those who live in delusions, full of Satan's deceptions. I thank you Lord for your light and your salvation.

To Be Known

 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 15:5 NIV

Even before we were born, God had us in his mind and had a purpose for us. We are not just a chance happening or a haphazard collection of genes.  We are specially made, uniquely formed with an eternal meaning. God creates his people to live on the earth and fulfill their destinies. How wonderful that from the very beginning of our existence, God "knew" us.  He understands us in a profound way and nurtures us in a way that is a perfect fit for us. Unlike people who usually only understand a part of who we are, God understands us in totality.  Every thought, every action, every desire we have is completely known and understood by God. Our relationship with God is more intimate than any relationship possible with another person.

Dear Father, what a blessing it is to be fully known. I am so grateful that I don't have to explain myself to you. You may discipline me, or challenge me but always you relate to me in love and with complete knowledge of who I am. I pray that your love will shine through me and that you will help me to understand the people that you put in my life. 

To Love the Lord

 "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God...This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matthew 22:37-38 NIV

The greatest commandment is to love God.  We are called to love other people but the first commandment is to love God. That is because we can only truly love other people once we have allowed God to transform our hearts.  We show our love to God by accepting his authority and teachings in the Bible.  We love God when we stand in awe of his creation.  We love God when we meditate on his character and rejoice in the beauty of it. We love God when we search for his knowledge and understanding, and we love God when we thank him for all the goodness he has given us. Loving God isn't doing good works. It is being like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus and adored him. 

Dear Father, you want to be in a loving relationship with us. Remind me that, although you have given us good works to do, that you want us primarily to be worshiping you as our loving, heavenly Father. Open my eyes to your infinite love and help me to love you in return.

In the Midst of Evil

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."        John 17:15 NIV 

One of the differences between Christianity and some other religions is that we are not called out of the world.  We are called to be light in the world. Some philosophies teach their adherents to block out the evil in the world by emptying the mind or being mindful in nature. That is fine for short term relief from the stresses of the modern world but it does not address the fundamental issue of how we face evil.  The Bible tells us to resist the devil, to stand against sin, and to not fear. We are not avoiding the tragic realities of sin. We are facing them head on and affirming that our God is victorious over the works of Satan. We are courageous and hopeful, knowing that our Saviour is King. Our minds are not blank; they are filled with the knowledge of God's love.

Dear Father, I thank you that you give us strength and power over the works of the devil.  I pray that I will meditate on your word in the Bible and know that you are always in control.  I thank you that I can rest in the assurance of your salvation and love.

The Law of the Lord

 "The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." Psalm 19:7 NIV

How often in today's society do we view laws as constricting and limiting.  We chaff against the rules of government even if we follow them. Some laws we agree with if they increase our personal safety or wealth.  But the Law of the Lord is totally different from secular laws.  It is perfect which means it is totally just, totally complete, totally good.  The purpose of the Law is to bring us into relationship with God.  It refreshes the soul.  Only God and his wisdom can truly refresh our souls. Worldly pursuits can give us a quick flash of happiness or excitement but only God gives us lasting water for our thirsty souls. His Law is not oppressive.  It is liberating and life-giving.

Dear Father, thank you for your perfect Law. I pray that I will keep your laws firmly in my heart at all times.  The only way I can be a blessing to others is if I have obeyed your laws and refreshed my soul.  I pray that the church will always keep your Law front and foremost.