There is a power in what we say. It is like putting our signature on a contract. We can have a contract in front of us to purchase a car, or sell our house, or purchase a business, and that document many have been drafted in great detail with every contingency considered, but until we sign it, it has no power.

I think in some ways our beliefs are like this. We can think about what we believe, and know all the related scriptures, but when we say it out loud, we are putting the power in our belief.

Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew 17:20, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

When we say negative things like, I can’t figure this out, I always get this wrong, I am a terrible test taker, I am bad at math, I am always late, what are we doing? We are putting power into these beliefs, and keeping ourselves in those holes.

Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” If we believe this, we should say things like Lord willing, I will get an A, I will get accepted to that school, I will make the sale, my friend will accept my offer to come to church with me on Sunday.

Saying our beliefs strengthens our faith and shows our commitment, which is one reason we say the creed every Sunday. “I believe in God the Father Almighty…..”

Dear Lord, our power comes from you. Help us believe that we can do all things through you, and say so with our words. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you are like me, occasionally you get a song tune stuck in your head, and for hours it keeps coming back. Usually it is some theme song from a cartoon, or TV commercial. Wouldn’t it be great to get a song stuck in your mind, that gives you encouragement and confidence every time it comes back?

I think this is what David means in Psalm 59:16, “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.”

Paul Baloche, a Christian song writer, writes in his song “Your Name,” “Your name is a strong and mighty tower. Your name is a shelter like no other. Your name, let the nations sing it louder ’cause nothing has the power to save. But your name.” Click on the lyrics, and if my technology works, you should be able to hear the song, (unfortunately an advertisement may run first.)

Hopefully we can get this message stuck in our minds that reminds us of God’s love throughout our day.

Dear Lord, You are our refuge and security. Help us begin our day thinking of you and the joy that your love provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think most people have used a microscope at one point in life or another, high school science class, or maybe a birthday present as a child. One thing I remember about using a microscope was how important it was to have light on the specimen, a bright light pointing right on it. Without the light, you could not see any of the detail through the microscope.

In a similar way, Jesus says in John 3:19-21, “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Jesus came into the world as the light of the world. Like the microscope, Jesus’ light exposes our sins, and shows us our need for forgiveness. The beautiful part is Jesus also forgives us of our sins when we repent, so that we can live our lives with the peace of knowing we will not face punishment for our sins. Jesus paid that price.

Dear Lord Jesus, expose our sins to us so that we might recognize and repent of them and become right with you. In your name we pray. Amen.

In biblical times, the concept of giving someone a blessing was a big deal. When it was God doing the blessing, it was God showing his special favor. When it was one person, like Abraham blessing Isaac, or Isaac blessing Jacob, it was that person calling down God’s favor on the one he was blessing.

In Genesis 4:22-27 God tells Moses how Aaron is to bless his people and why. The Living Bible translates it like this “Now the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to give this special blessing to the people of Israel: ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’ This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

There are many different translations of this passage, and all get the message across, that God wants to protect us and show us his favor. He wants to be happy with us, and he wants us to have the peace that comes from trusting him.

In modern times the pastor in our Church will say this blessing, just like Aaron, calling down God’s blessings on us. It is always a comforting part of a service. When we tell someone “God Bless,” we are doing the same, asking for God to show them his favor and peace.

Dear Lord, We thank you for your blessing and for the guidance you gave us through this story of Moses and Aaron. Bless those we love, and help us make a point of asking for your blessing on them when we see them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.