Prayer is a humble plea directed to God the Father in the name of Jesus. Prayer is expressing ourselves to a loving father in heaven. In prayer our spirit communicates with God either through words spoken or even in our thoughts. God wants us to speak with Him. We may come to Him with our thankfulness, requests, and disappointments.

Do you know that there is Someone who knows everything about you? It is God who created the world and everything in it. Jesus, God’s Son, also knows everything that you have ever done. He knows the past, present, and future. He loves you and came to this world to save you from sin. He has a plan for your life to bring you happiness. One day Jesus was traveling with his friends. He came to a village in Samaria. Jesus sat down by a well to rest while his friends went to buy food.

Do you have feelings of loneliness, or a sense of guilt and fear deep inside your heart? Do you wonder about the purpose of your life? Many people are trying to find the answer to these feelings. You may find entertainments or other activities that may relieve you of these feelings for a short time, but then they return, perhaps stronger than ever before.

Some of the greatest battles in life are fought within the heart. Many leaders throughout history have been intent on conquering other nations. Some selfish rulers and leaders have even entertained thoughts of ruling the entire world. Those leaders have forced thousands of soldiers into battle because of their personal desire for power, wealth, and fame.

Once there was nothing in this world. No fish. No stars in the sky. No seas and pretty flowers. All was empty and dark. But there was God. God had a wonderful plan. He thought of a lovely world, and while He thought, He made it. He made it all out of nothing. When God made anything, He just said, “Let it be made,” and there it was! He made light. He made the rivers and seas, the grass-covered earth, the animals, birds, and trees.

The story of the birth of Christ, of all stories, lies nearest to the heart of Christians. It is one of the greatest miracles of all ages. In it is revealed the love of God to mankind. Man, through sin, separated himself from the fellowship of God. God promised Adam and Eve a Redeemer after their transgression in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). It was God’s plan to restore or bring back what was lost.

Early in the history of the human race, people began to avoid accepting the blame for their sins. Adam, the first man God created, disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When God asked Adam if he had eaten of the tree, Adam should have replied simply and truthfully, “Yes, I did.” Instead, he said, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). Eve also made an excuse. “And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (verse 13).

Do you know there is a book that explains how the world began? The first words of this book are, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Following these words, it tells us how the world was created, and about the first man and woman who lived on the earth. Not only does it tell us about the beginning of time, but also what will happen after this life is over. Throughout this book, we read how we should live to be prepared for life after death.

There is a way of dress that complements the Christian and his high calling. Paul writes to the Philippians, “Only let your conversation [manner of life] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). An individual’s manner of dress is like a window providing a look into his heart. It makes a clear statement of his estimation of himself and reveals who is the master of his life. God’s will is for the human form to be adequately covered, not displayed. The true disciples of Christ have always been known for their modest dress.

The church of God is not a man-made institution but is of the Lord. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus knew that the church was essential to God’s great plan and declared it would endure for time and eternity. The church is the spiritual home for believers while they are here on earth; heaven is the home of the saved throughout eternity.