"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." [Mk 7:50]

By the time you read this you will probably know who the next president is going to be. Many of you though have your fears and doubts about the future of this nation. There is definitely a lot to fear. You have the economy, wars and rumors of wars, job loss, health insurance, your own health, your family, the economy, oops, I mentioned that already.

It seems as though our circumstances in the future don't look so good. Or maybe, you are looking at your future circumstances, and you are thinking that everything is going to be fine or even better than fine, things are going to be great.

The thing is, no matter what our circumstance, we can't let them rule our lives. We must allow something, even someone else rule our lives. That someone, of course is Jesus Christ.

Paul put it best when he said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in want, I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.

And how does He give us strength? He gives us strength through the very fact that he died on the cross for us and three days later rose from the dead. Those acts of dying and rising give us strength because they are the be all and end all of our existence. They give us strength because, as Christians, we now live to him and die in him. They give us strength because we know that neither death nr life, things in the present or in the past, neither angels nor demons, nor anything else in all creation is able to separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So whether Barack Obama or John McCain is president; whether our economy turns into a recession or depression or goes so far up that you can't see the top; whether we lose our health care, our social security, and our 401k's all on the same day or they are all doubled; whether we have enough food in our pantries for ten families or our cupboards are bare; whether we are the supreme picture of health or are on our last breaths; we know that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us. We belong to him forever. And if we belong to Him everything will be just fine no matter what.

Don't let your circumstances ruin your life or your witness. Let your witness to the calming, soothing, and peace giving Gospel run your life. Wake up in the morning with a cheerful heart knowing that your sins are paid for and forgiven. Go through your day smiling all the way as you remember that your sins have been washed away by the precious blood of Jesus. Then, end your day with this prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. And this I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen."

Then wake up in the morning either happy that your sins are forgiven and you are ready to start a new day or completely happy and ultimately at peace knowing that you are in paradise with your friend and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier

To God All Praise and Glory!