Saved by grace. The Christian religion deals with people who are lacking in spiritual character and who live unholy lives. It aims to change them so that they can become holy in heart and righteous in life.

Prayer is the vehicle that enters and demonstrates its wonderful ability and fruit. Prayer drives one towards this specific end. In fact, without prayer, no change in moral character is ever possible. This marvelous change is brought to pass through earnest, persistent, faithful prayer.

Any assumed form of Christianity that does not cause this change in the hearts of people is a delusion and a farse. First, Jesus saw the crowds with their hunger and helpless condition; then he felt compassion that moved him to pray for the crowds.

Hard is the person, and far from being Christlike, who sees the multitudes but is unmoved at the sight of their sad state, their unhappiness, and their distress. He has no heart of prayer for others.

Compassion may not always move people, but it should always move towards others. And where it is most helpless to relieve the needs of others, it can at least pray earnestly to God for other people.

True prayer links itself to the will of God and runs in streams of compassion and intercession for all people.  So, one might ask, does God listen to a sinner’s prayer? The prayer of repentance is surely acceptable to God. He delights in hearing the cries of remorseful sinners.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus, Romans 3:23-24. But repentance involves not only sorrow for sin, but turning away from wrongdoing and learning to do good.

True repentance produces a change in character and behavior.

There are so many things that I know, but I know that there are so many things that I do not know. I know what my wife is doing, but I do not know what she is thinking. I know I should always pray, but I do not know what is more important. That is ok, the Holy Spirit will tweak my prayers.

We are not fitting to go to God. He draws us to Him. In John 6:44 Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” People respond in faith because God draws them.

My eighth-grade teacher/librarian, Ms. Louise Y. Cureton taught us, “To be intelligent does not mean you have to know everything, just know where to find it.”

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

1. God works. The gospel singer says, “He is an all-time God, yes, He is. He might not come when you want Him but He is always right on time. He is not sitting on His throne waiting for the time to make you suffer. He is constantly waiting with open arms.
2. God works for the good. He is not trying to trip you up like some gods. Not for your comfort or pleasure, but for ultimate good. He does not put a band-aid on the issue and leave you wondering when you are going to be restored.
3. God works for the good of those who love him. Make a covenant relationship with Him. Working on becoming a better person. Introducing others to this great relationship that you have found with your Savior.
4. God works in all things. God is all-inclusive He works, not through a few things or through the good things, best things, or easy things but in all things. He can fix what is broken in your life. He can restore your life and lost relationship that has been broken for longer than you can remember.

“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” – Jude 1:2

To comfort a friend, is to actively listen to their concerns, validate their feelings, offer practical help, and encourage them to seek professional help if it is beyond your scope of handling, while also showing empathy and reassurance.

You’re to listen without interruption. Let them express themselves fully without judgment. Validate their feelings and acknowledge that their emotions are valid, even if you don’t fully understand the situation. You’re not there to offer a quick fix and be on your way.

Offer practical support. Ask what you can do Instead of assuming. Ask them what kind of support they need? Offer specific help. Suggest concrete actions like making dinner, running errands, or helping with a project. Make time for them, schedule regular check-ins or activities to show you’re there for them.

Encourage self-care. Suggest activities that can help them relax and de-stress, like taking a bath, reading a book, or whatever they enjoy doing. Remind them to seek professional help If their situation is serious or they’re struggling to cope. Encourage them to reach out to a therapist, counselor, or chaplain. Confidential none judgmental sources.

Express your concern, let them know that you care about them and their well-being. Remind them that they’re not alone. Share your own experiences If appropriate. Share a time when you went through a similar situation and how you coped. Be patient and allow your friend time to process.

You’re really not dealing with their feelings if you’re trying to do any one of these three things, distract, condemn or criticize their behavior, or tell them how to behave. You’re trying to support your friend. Research says that you want to steer clear of advice most of the time unless you are an expert in that field.  

The Bible emphasizes the importance of comforting others, especially friends, by encouraging mutual support, offering words of encouragement, and actively helping those in need.

Scripture tells us that when Job experienced the devasting loss of his children, and afflicted with painful sores on his entire body, it was overwhelming. Three of his friends went to comfort him. They began to weep loudly, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him (Job 2:12-13).

In the next few chapters, when they opened their mouths to speak, they began to give him poor advice. Research further states that sometimes the best thing to do is show up. Be quiet, after you have said, “I am here for you.” Why is that, because you can make things worse by saying the wrong thing.

Belonging is a fundamental human need, a feeling of being accepted, included, and valued as part of a group or community, leading to a sense of security and connection. Belonging is more than just being present or acquainted; it’s about feeling a strong connection and a sense of being part of something larger than one’s self.

A sense of belonging is crucial for mental and physical well-being, fostering resilience, reducing stress, and promoting overall happiness. In social psychology, the need to belong is an intrinsic motivation to affiliate with others and be socially accepted, influencing social interactions and behaviors.

The consequences of a lack of belonging can lead to negative consequences, including lower self-esteem, increased stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Try as you may, you cannot fulfill this need by just having four thousand, or four million followers on your favorite media platform. 

The late/s Jerry Butler, “The Iceman,”1963, written by Curtis Mayfield, said it best in this song, A man needs to belong to someone; “It hurts to be known as no one. I want to be kissed, and held tight, I want to be missed on a cold and lonely night. Someone please hear my plea and call out to me. I need to belong to someone.” 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow’s theory places the need for belonging and love as a fundamental social need, essential for human flourishing. Belonging can be found in various contexts, such as family, friendships, work, religious groups, or community organizations.

A sense of belonging at work is rooted in being seen for unique contributions, feeling connected to coworkers, being supported in daily work and career development, and being proud of the organization’s values and purpose.

“It is not good that the man/woman should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him,” indicating that God designed humans to be in relationship (Genesis 2:18). The Bible reveals that God desires a personal relationship with humanity, and that this relationship is the foundation for belonging and flourishing.

The concept of the church as a family, where people find belonging and support, is a key theme in the New Testament. Jesus emphasizes the importance of love for one another, stating that people will know we are his disciples by our love for each other.

I (emphasize) do not believe one can be a Christan by themselves. It is such a good feeling that one would want to share it with everyone they know.

“Do You Love Me” is a rhythm and blues song recorded by the Contours in 1962. Written and produced by Motown Records owner Berry Gordy Jr., it appeared twice on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number three in 1962 and eleven in 1988.

The simple and accepted definition of love is that—love is a complex emotion and behavior that can include feelings of intimacy, passion, and commitment. It can also involve care, closeness, attraction protectiveness, affection, and trust.

In English we have one word to express all kinds of love, in Greek there are four different words for love.

Eros refers to the love found in romantic relationships, passion and intimacy. The word itself is not found in the New Testament. However, the concept of physical love is expressed in the context of marriage and affirmed in the New Testament (1 Cor 7:5).

Phileo means warm affection or friendship. Philo was commonly used with reference to close friends or brothers. It was used in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father and mother or son and daughter. Jesus’s love for his friend Lazarus.

Storge refers to the love between family members. It’s a strong bond shared by parents, children, and those close enough to be considered family. It is a protective love that can withstand hardships and trials.

Agape is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God. In the New Testament, agape is the highest form of love. But outside of the New Testament the word was rarely used. Agape is the word used in John 3:16, “God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son”.

The Israelites questioned how much God loved them because of their time in captivity in Babylon. But that captivity was His correction for their continued rebellion against Him. Malachi, the prophet’s opening words from God were, I have loved you” (Malachi 1:2). Isreal replied skeptically, inquiring as to how He has loved them. He reminded them how He had chosen them over the Edomites.

Lucy Van Pelt: “I’m the kind of person who is kind of hard to know, I guess. My personality doesn’t fit right on the surface. The real me is deep. But I’m well worth all the time it takes to understand me. In other words, to know me is to love me.” Peanuts character.

We all go through difficult seasons in life, when we question God’s love for us during them. Many have stopped asking where is God, rather, “Does God love me?

The psychological tendency for people to overestimate their ability to influence or control events, even when the outcome is largely determined by chance. Essentially, it’s a false feeling of being in control of something beyond one’s influence.

At its core, manipulation is another form of lying. When someone speaks falsely for the purpose of deception, he/she is being manipulative. As of late that seems to be the norm. You often hear a portion of a group of people lying and others in the same group knowingly joining or remaining silent.

Those who call themselves Christians are not exempt. The Bible has much to say about manipulation. Through examples, parables, principles, and direct commands, Scripture warns us against manipulating others.

Just as important, we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated. Jesus said, “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves’ (Matthew 10:16). “Shrewd as snakes”—means don’t be taken advantage of; “innocent as doves”—don’t manipulate others.

It should go without saying that Christians are not to engage in manipulation or take advantage of others in any way. Paul reminds us, “Each of us must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:5).

The Apostle Paul says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25).

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers (and sisters) for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1).   Believe it or not, teachers have a lot of influence. Both good and bad.

The opening stanza of the Serenity Prayer is as wise as it is hope—filled: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

It is not in the Bible. It is attributed to Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr. He was an American Reformed theologian, ethicist, commentator on politics, and public affairs, and a professor at Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years.

Jesus also warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).