Build houses and settle down…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you…Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.  Jeremiah 29:5, 7

We live in a fast-paced, move-it-or-lose-it society. We don’t like to slow down, because we think we’ll miss out on the next big thing or incredible opportunity. But when we fly through life like that, we often miss the most incredible opportunities of all time—to bless those around us.  God wants to bless you. And he wants you to use those blessings to bless others. That’s not something that can happen if you’re flying through life at breakneck speeds. 

Don’t go through life overlooking the people and opportunities God has placed in your path. Take the time to settle down and take note of those around you. Ask God to show you chances to share your blessings with those people. Remember, God blesses us so that we can bless others. Because when we do, we will experience the true power and excitement of living in God’s perfect favor.

Lord, It is so easy to get caught up in this fast- paced society. Help me to establish meaningful relationships with the people I come in contact with everyday, and help me to recognize opportunities to bless them with what you have given me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

[The Spirit says,] “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”   Revelation 2:10

When I was growing up I remember my Grandfather tell about that as a farm boy in South Dakota, he had to milk the cows by hand each day. It didn’t take hium long to appreciate being able to sit on a three-legged stool that provided a firm foundation for his labor.

As Christians, we also need a firm foundation in order to do our daily work for the kingdom of God. This foundation is our Bible-based faith. Three qualities of God make up the three strong legs of my foundation: God is love (1 John 4:8); God is holy (Lev. 11:44), and God is spirit (John 4:24).  If we put our weight upon one attribute of God to the exclusion of the others, we will surely slip and fall. Concentrating on God’s love alone may cause us to lapse into permissive sentimentality. Emphasizing God’s holiness alone may cause us to become rigid, legalistic, and judgmental. Focusing on God’s spirit alone may motivate us for service, but we may easily burn out apart from the underlying support of God’s love and holiness.  Our earthly task lasts until we die. Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Being supported by God’s love, spirit, and holiness will make this journey possible.

Gracious God, open our hearts each day to your love, spirit, and holiness, that we may be empowered to spread your kingdom everywhere. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

When the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”  Mark 15:39

While I know in my head that Jesus died for all people, sometimes I am guilty of thinking there are people beyond God’s reach. I worked with a boy whom I subconsciously labeled as a person very unlikely to become a Christian. Even when I prayed for him, I don’t think I really believed that God would answer my prayers. The boy seemed to be too emotionally distant, to have too many problems, and to be highly unlikely to stop and listen long enough for someone to tell him about Jesus. I was very wrong.  Many of the kids I worked with hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, but this young man believed what he heard. Now I love to watch the way this boy’s life is changing as he reads the Bible and strives to live the way Jesus wants him to.  God can change the most unexpected people, at the strangest times and in the most unlikely places. A number of people watched Jesus die, but as today’s reading shows, the centurion realized that he was watching the death of the Son of God. No one is beyond the power of God’s love. No matter how hard-core or difficult they may seem, Jesus loves them and died for them.

Dear God, thank you that no one is beyond the reach of your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

[Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” Mark 12:43

One year I helped the Salvation Army by operating one of their kettle stations and ringing a little hand bell in front of a local grocery store. Some days the winter cold makes the bell ringing challenging and unpleasant, but the faces of the coin droppers make it all worthwhile. That Christmas season, a dear elderly woman stood near the kettle searching a long time in her purse for some coins. She appeared as if she were the one who needed financial help. Finally, she beamed with success as she deposited her rather meager offering. But as Jesus noted in his story of the widow and her penny, it was the sacrificial giving from the heart that mattered.  Often during my Salvation Army bell-ringing experience, I noticed that the people who gave the most often were ones who seemed to be the poorest, and their beaming countenance reflected their joy in giving. But the ones I remember the most are the children who deposited coins given to them by a parent. When they heard the words “Merry Christmas” they flashed wonderful smiles. Yes, giving — however small the amount — can bring us a bright face and a soaring spirit.

O God, we know you ask us to be cheerful givers. May our gifts bring joy to others. Amen.

[Jesus] said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49

Years ago, while on patrol, I found a 3 year old wondering down the street sobbing.  He had walked away from his parents to look at something interesting and became lost. i found his parents a bit later shouting his name and began searching for him franticly.  But as we started toward the police station, he suddenly pointed at a building and said, ‘Look! That’s Daddy’s church!’ Then I understood whom he belonged to. I had seen the parents out walking and looking earlier, so I knew where to take him.” 

Going astray is easy because many things take our focus away from the Lord. But when we find ourselves far from where we know God wants us to be, one landmark never fails. We belong to God. We will find our way home when we seek fellowship with those who follow Christ.

Dear Lord, keep us close so that we do not lose our direction in life. Amen.

As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  Psalm 42:1

One day during my walk through a wooded area, I looked up to find myself about 30 feet from a deer that was feasting on some sort of plant. I was startled by how suddenly it seemed to appear. This deer didn’t act afraid of me. Quietly it ate and then gently moved on. I was deeply moved by the deer’s beauty and serenity. Its unexpected appearance made me realize that God is always nearby, watching over me.

When anxiety, fear, and doubt slip into my heart and mind, I sometimes forget about God’s power. I don’t feel confident that I know God’s plan for me, and I don’t understand when it seems that God is not responding to my prayers. Then I stop to consider that as Romans 8:28 says, God is working, moving, shaping, and using everything in our lives for ultimate good, and my perspective changes. I realize that God is neither bound by my inability to see or trust nor frightened by my doubt, fear, and flaws. Instead, God quietly invites me to draw near; that’s where God wants me to be.

Dear Father, awaken our senses to recognize your presence wherever we go today. Help us to be convinced that because you love us you are with us. Amen.

How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?   Romans 10:14

ONE December day several years ago, my friend’s six-year-old daughter, Alisha, selected an unusual Chrisatmas gift for her Mom. It was a huge candy cane the size of a lawn ornament. Alisha would not change her mind, despite her ad’s and brother’s insistence that she consider something else. When Christmas arrived, her Mom opened her present from Alisha.  Six months later, Alisha died.

Two thousand years ago, God sent us a gift, a poor child laid in a manger and surrounded by unlikely people and even animals. God’s unlikely gift was Jesus. We still celebrate his strange and beautiful entry into our world that he came to save.

Each Christmas season as I look at the candy cane hanging in a place of prominence at their house, I remember that unlikely gifts can have great significance. Jesus truly is the best gift we can give or receive.

God, help us to remember you not only on Christmas Day but on every day as we interact with other people. Amen.

A male and female of each kind of living being went into the boat with Noah, as God had commanded. Then the Lord shut the door behind Noah.  Genesis 7:1516

Who closed the ark’s door before the torrential rains began? My daughter, Katie, noticed that it was God who shut the door. Her comments shed light on the scripture. Then she also reminded me that I follow a bedtime ritual: I go downstairs and make sure all the doors of our home are shut and locked. I check to make sure all the lights are out. As Katie drifts off to sleep, she feels safe and secure because she knows her daddy is watching, making sure that the doors are locked and that she is safe. “God wanted Noah to feel safe before the awful storm,” she remarked, “so God did a check and locked the door for Noah.”  I had heard the story of Noah many times and had never given this little verse much thought. Was God trying to make Noah feel safe? Katie thinks so.

One thing is certain: God closed the door out of love for Noah. As we approach storms in our lives, God loves us with the same great capacity and looks out for us with the same sensitive care.

God, remind us that you constantly watch out for us in love. Amen.

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  James 2:9–10

It’s easy to think that favoritism is a small thing. We’ll justify it by thinking that it’s our right to treat some people better than others or say things like, “Just keep this between you and me….” But no matter how we spin it, favoritism is a sin.  Every time we show favoritism; every time we discriminate, we are making a mockery of God’s creative genius. We’re essentially saying, “God, you did a good job with this, but not so much with that.”  When you lock eyes with someone—anyone—you are looking at a person who is so valuable and precious to God that he sent his only Son to die for them. Before exhibiting preferential treatment, remember how much they matter to God. And understand that they should matter that much to you.

Dear Lord, It is so easy for me to pick and choose the people I want to accept. But when I show favoritism, help me to remember that you love that person just as much as you love me. And help me to see the value they have in your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  James 2:8

Isn’t it interesting that this verse assumes we already love ourselves? God doesn’t have to instruct us to love ourselves. He knew that we would do that naturally.  Yet, “the royal law” tells us to put our neighbor into the spot we usually reserve for ourselves; to treat our neighbor the way we want to be treated. This law reflects the nature and character of God.  And if you think about it, if we could just follow this one rule, we wouldn’t need any other laws. There would be no envy, lust, jealousy, anger, materialism. If we obeyed this royal law, we would be living like royalty—set apart. 

When you are trying to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, first make sure you’re doing all you can to follow the royal law. No book or Bible study will do more for your spiritual maturity than doing all you can to love your neighbor as yourself.

Dear Lord, I thank you for revealing your royal law to me. I pray right now that you would help me to look for ways to live that out every day. Help me to look to the needs of others and to show others the love that you have shown me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.