Have you ever felt you loved someone so much that it was as if they were part of yourself; Your spouse, children, siblings, parents. You felt such connection with them that it seemed that you could feel what they felt, and you experienced what they were experiencing. What a powerful love this is.

John tells us in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”

As deeply as we may love others, God loves us. So much that he, as Jesus, endured humiliation, agony and death for us, to save us.

Paul also tells us in Romans 11:33, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and ways!

When we experience tragedy, uncertainty, pain, loss, we may feel that God has abandoned us. He has not. Within those ways which we may not understand, is his love for us. We can trust in his plans.

James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”

Dear Lord, We cannot understand your ways, but we can trust in your love for us. Comfort those in need, and give them confidence that comes from trusting you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When times are tough, it is difficult to remember how much God loves us.

So remember what Jesus says in Luke 12:6-7, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Remembering then what Jesus said, we know God cares about us, so we should follow Paul’s guidance in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the care and comfort that you provide, and answering our prayers with your all knowing wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

All of us have our challenges living the Christian life. Some have difficulty truly believing God’s power to control things affecting their lives, others become proud of themselves and believe they can handle everything without God.

The apostle Paul had some problem in his life which he called his “thorn in the flesh.” The Bible does not tell us what this was, but he describes the affect in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” NLT

So whatever this “thorn in the flesh” weakness God allowed to affect Paul, it was there to weaken him and remind him to put his hope and faith in God’s power, not his own. For others of us, our “thorn” may be a lack of confidence, but in the same way, our hope, faith and confidence should be put in God’s power to bring us through our challenges.

Dear Lord, it is a great source of peace and joy to know that You are the power in our lives. Help us remember this when we are weak or troubled, and put our hope and faith in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Most have heard the account recorded in Mark 5 about Jesus casting the demons out of the man and into the herd of pigs. It is a clear example of Jesus’ power over evil, but there is another part of the story I think is important for us.

Mark 5:18-20 writes, “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”

Jesus told the man to go and tell about what God has done for him. What about us? How often have we prayed for safety for ourselves or loved ones when traveling, or prayed for resolution of a medical problem, relief from a financial challenge, or success in our business, or other requests that have come to pass. Do we go and tell others the great things God has done for us, or do we attribute it to chance?

Dear Lord, you protect, provide, and save us every day. Help us remember to tell everyone what you have done for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I have always been a musical person. It runs in my family, and in my denomination, Lutheran. People joke that one way you know that you are Lutheran, you can join in singing Happy Birthday in four part harmony.

Even if you are not Lutheran or musical, however, most people can appreciate that there is something special about music. It is much more than just words, or sounds. Putting together melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and lyrics creates something completely new, different, and powerful.

Paul writes about the significance of music in Ephesians 5:18-19, saying “Be filled with the Holy Spirit singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

I had heard and remembered the first part of this passage, but this time I read it, I was impacted by the final section “making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

When we can get to that place of peace and joy in ourselves that only the Holy Spirit working in us can provide, whether we are musical or not, we can create music for the Lord in our hearts, through our thoughts, attitudes, and demeanor.

When we do this, we are living another expression heard occasionally around the Lutheran church, “One who sings, prays twice.”

Dear Lord, music is another one of those beautiful things that you created for our joy and your glory. Help us come to that state in our lives where we have your peace and joy and can create music for you in our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.