Worry is an interesting emotion. When we succumb to worry, we can worry about anything and everything, losing good things, bad things happening, what people think, that people don’t care, etc.

But worry doesn’t prevent problems in the future, it steals the joy from today.

When we worry, we are living the pain and discomfort of problems that will probably never occur.

Jesus said in Luke 12:25-26, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

And In Matthew 6:28-32 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ”

It is faith in what Jesus told us that allows us not to worry.

Dear Lord, give us the faith in your promises to protect us so that we do not need to worry. And Lord please bring Justice and Integrity to the US election process, for your Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

I have had conversations with Christians who believe the doctrine, and strive to live faithfully, but when discussing God’s involvement and concern for the day to day events of their lives, they don’t believe He is involved.

I have a different view.

Psalm 37:23 says “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

The NIV Bible describes “the godly” as “The one who delights in Him”

So I believe the Bible is clearly telling us that if we put God and His will as our highest priority and responsibility, He will be with us helping us deal with all the details of our lives.

Dear Lord, What joy it is to know that you care about all the details of our lives. We can come to you with all our challenges, and opportunities, and you will guide us. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stanford University was founded over one hundred years ago by a very wealthy couple who had lost their son as a teenager. There is a incredibly beautiful chapel on the campus that was built at the direction of the wife after her husband died.

My attention was caught by the inscription on the dedication plaque in the chapel wall. It says “To the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband.” I suppose this is not a surprising statement on a chapel dedication, but the simplicity of dedicating the amazing facility that was painstakingly constructed at a tremendous cost, “to the glory of God,” made me think about the things we all work on in our lives.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

We should all take a moment when we are starting or finishing a project, goal, or objective, and dedicate these things “to the glory of God,” which is why we are here.

Dear Lord, as you tell us in Isaiah 43:7, we were made for your glory. Help us remember to bring glory to you in all that we do. 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.

There is a concept in the art of selling, that selling the benefit works better than selling the product. Theodore Levitt a Harvard Business School Marketing Professor is known for a quote which goes, “People don’t want to buy a quarter inch drill. They want a quarter inch hole.”

What does this have to do with Christianity?

Well, Paul writes in Romans 15:2, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” In my words, we need to help people become more faithful and active Christians.

This means we need to help them choose to do the things that strengthen their faith in Jesus, and their connection and walk with God; prayer, worship, study, faith, hope, love, and service. To do this we should take a lesson from the sales and marketing world, and show them the benefit in terms of peace, joy, and hope that a faithful and active Christian life offers.

Dear Lord, we are your messengers here on earth, give us the motivation and initiative to help build up others faith, inviting them to worship and bible study, following your lessons and demonstrating the joyful Christian life through our own lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.