Growing up we all probably had an experience where we did something wrong and were punished by a parent or other adult. Do you remember saying, or hearing someone say, “I’ll never do that again.” after being punished or scolded?

Psalm 119:67 says, “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.” The NIV translation writes this verse like this, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.”

It is pretty clear from this passage that sometimes things happen to us as a form of discipline, to get us back on the right track. I don’t think that every “affliction” is some kind of discipline from God, but when things are not going well, we should think about why that might be, and turn to God for help, and guidance. Whether we are bringing discipline on ourselves, or our trials are just part of life, turning to God is always the right response.

Psalm 139:24 says, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Dear Lord, much of life remains a mystery to us, but we know You are working Your plan for each of us. Help us turn to You when we are afflicted, and find Your will for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you know people who are just cheerful, upbeat, and cooperative all the time? It could be a coworker, checkout person at the grocery store, the postman/woman, or a relative. Though sometimes you may wonder how they can be so upbeat all the time, isn’t it nice to interact with that person?

Paul tells the Christians at Philippi, in Philippians 2:14-15 to have this demeanor, saying, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

Complaining is essentially telling others about our problems, and having some indirect expectation that someone else is responsible to solve them for us. God tells us we will have challenges, to make us stronger and better, and he will help us overcome them. When we complain, we are displaying our dis-belief in God’s promises and his power.

As Paul says, we should be striving to live clean innocent lives, and be that cheerful, upbeat, cooperative person that others wonder about.

Dear Lord, You know we are weak and struggle to follow your guidance in our lives. Help us improve. Help us believe your promises of support, guidance and protection, so we will live confident, cheerful lives and be the shining lights in this world that you intend us to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many kids have had this discussion over the years, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” The answers are all over, invisibility, ability to fly, X-ray vision, teleportation, etc.

I believe there is a superpower we can all give ourselves. Gratitude.

Gratitude is a Superpower.

Gratitude is the state of being thankful. Being in this state of mind pushes out anger, bitterness, envy, and fear, and makes us feel like being kind, compassionate, and generous. More gratitude always makes us feel better, and act better.

Some scriptures that encourage us to live in gratitude include:

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all things for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Chronicles 16:34, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His love endures forever.”

Psalm 100:4, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Gratitude is the superpower we all can have by controlling how we think.

Dear Lord, we can always be more thankful for the gifts you have given us. Help us to remember that our gratitude for all you have given us makes our lives better and helps us make other’s lives better as well.

I have a belief, that underneath everyone’s pursuits in life is a desire for peace. Peace of mind, peace in our inner being.

Many of the common desires in life, achievement, financial success, fitness, health, or love if distilled into the core desire, is a desire to feel at peace with one’s self; Peace that you accomplished your objective, achieved something you were proud of, built a strong relationship, raised successful children or other achievements that make you feel “good” about yourself.

Often times we find that achieving these things do not bring us the sense of peace we thought we would have. Something still feels missing when we rely on these achievements to give us peace.

Paul tells us about this in Phillipians 4:6,7. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

The peace we are hoping for from winning the next game, adding a digit to our income, or finding that right person will come with thanks and trust in God’s grace and mercy.

Dear Lord, help us remember that our peace comes from you, and live our lives in this peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Matthew 18:4-6 Jesus says, “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

In verse 10 Jesus says, “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”

“Their angels” He says. As one of the Bible verses supporting the belief that people have guardian angels, this verse gives an awesome and comforting vision that there are angels standing in God’s presence responsible for helping individual believers.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance provided in this passage that you care for us, and assign your angels to look out for us. Help this give us the comfort and confidence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.