The disciples and early Christians in the Bible often greeted each other with the words “Peace be with you.” What is the significance of them wishing each other “peace?”

Peace is contentment, tranquility; The absence of fear, worry, want, anger, and frustration. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, and He tells his disciples in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart!”

We can have the peace he offers if we keep our focus on him and not our problems and the things that take away our peace.

Isaiah writes in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Dear Lord, help us keep our thoughts and trust on you so that we may have your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it said that your life is like an echo, what you send out comes back to you, or like a mirror, a reflection of you.

Paul writes in his letter to Titus 1:15, “A person who is pure of heart sees goodness and purity in everything; but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything, for his dirty mind and rebellious heart color all he sees and hears.”

I imagine you have met both kinds of people, those that look for the best in everything, and have good positive attitudes, and those that see the negative and problems in every experience. How interesting that they both can be looking at the same situation and see such different pictures. The verse above from Paul’s letter to Titus tells us that the way people look at a situation is an indication of what is in their own heart and mind. How they look at things is as much a statement on themselves as it is a statement on the people or things about which they are commenting.

Dear Lord, help us be people of pure hearts and find the goodness and purity you have put in our world. Help us also be a positive influence on those with evil and untrusting hearts, that they might see your love through us and desire to change. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a personal development expression I heard that goes, “There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone.”

In a way, this is what Paul meant in Hebrews 12:10-11 where he wrote, “but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

My definition of discipline is, “knowing the right thing to do, and doing it.” God’s discipline may be helping us see the right thing so we will do it, or it may be giving us discomfort doing the wrong things until we do the right thing. Either way, the right thing is often the more difficult and uncomfortable thing to do.

When we are experiencing difficulty and challenges, we should try to think, “Is God disciplining me for some reason?” “What am I supposed to be learning from this negative experience?”

We know, however, as Paul says in Hebrews 12:6, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, He disciplines each one he accepts as his child.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for caring about us enough to discipline us. Help us see our challenges and discomforts in the right context so that we may grow and become better servants for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.

Years ago, when I was flying in the military, I remember being, “number one for takeoff” which is the first airplane next to the runway waiting. While waiting, a B1 Bomber was on the runway taking off. As it accelerated for takeoff with afterburners lit on its four engines, producing 120,000 lbs of thrust, the ground shook from the amazing power.

Paul writes about God’s power in Ephesians 1:19, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” he goes on in verse 22, “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.”

The most powerful thing we can imagine, like that B1 aircraft, is insignificant compared to the power of God who created everything. Even more amazing, is that God offers this power to each of us. The power to give us eternal life, and the power to overcome any challenges we may face in our lives.

Dear Lord, we cannot comprehend the magnitude of your power, but how grateful we are that we can call on you in our times of need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.