Saturday, August 2nd

“They will have to give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.”  1 Peter 4:5

Lord God, Nobody likes for someone to come and take a close and examining look at their life. There is always something to find.  As clean and as pure as we try to live there is always some part of our life that isn’t up to the holy standards you have set for our lives.  If you come and inspect us, examining us and our lives, you will find us wanting.  My life doesn’t match your Word.  My heart and motives don’t match your heart and desires.  My life doesn’t measure up.  My life doesn’t measure up, but there is One whose life did and does.  His name is Jesus, your Son.  He came and lived the life I couldn’t.  For his sake, Lord God, save me.  For his sake, Lord God, clear my record and give me his righteousness.  He alone is my hope and righteousness.  Because of his life alone, dear Father, am I confident that I will be found clear and clean on the last day.  Because of his life alone will I escape the judgement of hell and receive the reward of heaven.  Oh God, thank you for your Son who is my righteousness and my eternal life.  Amen.

Friday, August 1st

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”  Romans 12:4-5

Dear Jesus, Thank you that you have made me part of a whole.  Help me fight the temptation to act as if I am a long integer.  Give me a love for family and the church that drives me toward them to live in community instead of orbiting outside the group like a lone satellite.  Thank you for the friends who have pulled me back over and over to keep me close to you and them.  Their words echo in my mind and I hear your voice in their tones.  I don’t always do the good things for the rest of my brothers and sisters in the faith for which you have made me.  But I want to be the blessing you intended.  So, crush my pride and stubborn lonely streak and make me use my gifts to be their relief and support.  Amen.

If we lose ourselves in serving others, we will never be bored. 

Thursday, July 31st

“They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living-and they slander you.”  1 Peter 4:4

Lord Jesus, There is a lot of pressure from this world to do the wrong thing.  There is a lot of pressure to go along with sin and wickedness.  I’m tempted to drink too much because everyone else is and they might make fun of me if I don’t.  They’ve done it before.  I’m tempted to make unethical decisions and to do things that are sinful.  Sometimes desperation drives me to it.  Sometimes pressure from my boss, from my friends, pushes on me to do the wrong thing.  And they’re surprised.  They’re surprised that I don’t want to go along with sin.  Lord God, keep me from giving into their pressure.  Keep from giving into the pressure of my own flesh.  Give me strength to live for you.  I’ve given in to sin enough already.  I’ve spent enough time in my past sinning and pleasing my sinful flesh.  Forgive me for it and give me strength to live for you.  Give me strength and power by your Spirit to do what pleases you.  Give me strength to say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness.  Let them be surprised that I don’t give in.  Let them say what they want about me.  I am yours!  You redeemed me by your blood.  Help me to live my life for you and for you alone.  Amen.

Wednesday, July 30th

“Arm yourselves also with the same understanding...in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.”  1 Peter 4:1-2

O Holy Spirit, When I was washed in baptism, you gave me a new name.  Then and there you adopted me into God’s family and made me your own.  Then and there your claim gave me your name as my own name.  Now my whole life has a brand-new purpose and destiny.  By my baptism, heaven is my destiny and my purpose is to live for you-all my life, all my words, all my thoughts, all my actions for you and for your glory.  More and more, Lord Jesus, let me live and all I do glorify and honor you.  More and more, Lord Jesus, help me to live my remaining days in this earth not for my desires, but for yours.  Teach me to do not what I want, but what you want.  Help me to do this, dear Savior.  Amen.

Tuesday, July 29th

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding-because the one who suffers in his flesh is finished with sin.”  1 Peter 4:1

Lord Jesus, The life you call me to live as I follow you is hardly easy.  You call me to take up my cross to follow you.  You tell me to deny myself as I come after you.  You tell me to daily put to death everything in me that wages war against the good you want me to do.  You call me to come and die.  You call me to come and die to the sinful desire that live inside me.  You give me power to kill those sinful desires in the waters of my baptism.  Yes, you give me the powerful waters of my baptism where I drown all those desires.  You call me to come and die to putting myself first.  You call me to come and die so that you are first and everyone else is second in my life.  Lord Jesus, give me the same attitude that you had when you came to this earth-you came to die.  Lord Jesus, you call me to the same as I follow you.  Grant me power by my baptism so that I might die to sin and so live for you.  Amen.

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Monday, July 28th

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”  Matthew 7:28-29

Dear Jesus, They could tell you were different.  I can too.  When I read your words, they are like nothing else I’ve ever read.  They drip with love for God, people and the truth.  They cut through the fog of pithy human wisdom and wishful thinking.  They give real hope that transcends political platitudes.  They help me see how I can please the Father by living out my faith.  They soften my heart that’s so prone to ossify.  They speak forgiveness and redemption that sweep away my despair.  Thank you for coming to earth to teach us the way to live and the way to heaven.  We would be totally lost without you.  By your Holy Spirit keep me reminded of your words throughout the day today and the weekend.  Amen.

Truth has a way of shoving its way to the front of our minds. 

Saturday, July 26th

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mind and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27

Dear Jesus, You have put your finger on the big missing link in all of our lives.  We think that hearing is as good as trusting enough to do what is heard.  Your picture of life is so accurate.  It’s like there are rainstorms rumbling out of control crashing into our lives and washing the dirt right out from under our souls.  Problems in this world are destined to come our way.  No one is immune.  No amount of money or human planning can stop them from invading and robbing us of our temporal dreams.  If we don’t build our lives on your words, (both the principles and the promises,) our lives will crumble when difficulties come.  We will make bad choices, have bad reactions and do things to make matters worse.  So, please, please, please help us build our lives on your pure words about love, faith, hope and life.  We want to be standing tall with you when the winds of trouble blast against our hearts.  Amen.

Jesus and his words are the best storm shelter we could ever possibly find. 

Friday, July 25th

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’”  Matthew 7:21-23

Dear Jesus, Your words strike fear in my heart.  I suspect you intended that too.  They deal with my sinful, selfish nature that always wants to be king.  They make me scan my life and look for what I need to apologize to you for.  They make me repent of willful neglect of my duty with family and friends.  They remind me that a relationship with you is not just words but heartfelt belief and actions that grow out of that faith.  I’m not a Christian because I do works alongside my sins.  I’m a Christian because I repent of my sin and cling to you for mercy.  My works are irrelevant when it comes to you and me.  It’s all based on faith.  I do trust you.  And I want you to be able to trust me too.  Help me be your true follower, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Jesus sees the heart.  So, worship him there. 

Thursday, July 24th

“Baptism...now saves you...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.”  1 Peter 3:21-22

Lord Jesus, I quickly forget how much victory and power I have in my baptism.  I act and live like a submissive kitten, when in reality your death and resurrection won a victory for me that makes me a lion.  Lord Jesus, you conquered all things and put them under your feet.  You destroyed death.  You paid for all sin.  You crushed the devil.  All of it must bow to you and your will.  You give me this victory at my baptism.  Your victory, Lord Jesus, is mine.  The devil can’t hold any sin against me.  He can’t hold hell over my head as a threat.  Death can’t scare me because you have taken death’s sting.  Lord Jesus, help me to live with eternal confidence and resurrection swagger.  I am not defeated; I am more than a conqueror through you, Lord Jesus.  And nothing can condemn me now.  Nothing can own me now.  Nothing can defeat me now.  I am yours.  Your victory is mine.  Amen.

“So, when the devil throws your sins in your face and tells you that you deserve death and hell, tell him this; “I admit that I deserve death and hell.  What of it?  For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction for all my sins.  His name is Jesus Christ and where he is there I shall also be.”  Martin Luther

Wednesday, July 23rd

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.)  1 Peter 3:21

Lord Jesus, There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t recall and remember the sins of my past.  There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t regret something I’ve done.  On top of all this, Lord Jesus, as I look further back into my life, I remember things from long ago.  My conscience keeps me awake at night because of what I’ve done.  I wonder how my sin has crushed other people.  I wonder how my sin has hurt them.  I regret and repent again of those sins, dear Jesus, and it crushes me again.  My conscience has good memory of all the things that I’ve done against you and other people.  But Lord Jesus, you don’t!  You don’t have a record of any of my sins because my baptism washed my conscience clean of all the things that I’ve done against you and others.  This is your promise and pledge to me at my baptism.  There and then you promised me that my conscience was clean.  Lord God, shut my conscience up with my baptism.  Help me to hold on to the promise you made to me at my baptism that no sin now condemns me.  Amen.

My baptism is a pledge and a promise from God that my conscience is clean.  There is nothing that Satan can hold against me.  There is nothing that anyone can bring against me.  My conscience is clear and clean.  God says so. 

Tuesday, July 22nd

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”  Matthew 7:15-20

Dear Jesus, You never exaggerated a point or said anything false.  And you are serious about protecting us from false teachers.  With the click of my cell phone I can hear any kind of teacher or prophet I would ever want.  Some are amazingly gifted teachers.  Please give me discernment to be able to tell if any of them are teaching different than your pure word of truth.  Help me be able to know if they are actually in it to win it for themselves or for you and your beautiful gospel.  Make me aware of the fruit of their lives, so I can see when they are truly not one of your humble servants.  And in the meantime, I pray that you fill the world with true and humble teachers of your word that are well versed in the Scriptures and who share it with power and clarity.  Amen.

Just because a teacher is good doesn’t mean he is right.  Be careful how you listen.  

Monday, July 21st

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

Dear Jesus, It’s so easy to follow the crowd even in faith matters.  But just because a lot of people believe it, that doesn’t make it true.  Help me to stay on the narrow path of trusting in you alone for my salvation.  There is no way I can work, pray or think my way to heaven.  That’s what world religions tell me to do.  Instead it all rode on your shoulders and following you in repentance and faith are the only way.  Give me the faith, power and love to follow you down the road of life rejecting sin and trusting in grace alone.  Help me do the right things for the right reasons.  Amen.

The narrow path is wide enough for one soul at a time.

Saturday, July 19th

“In it a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water.  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you.”  1 Peter 3:20-21

Lord Jesus, I wonder what Noah and his family were thinking when God closed the doors of the ark and the waters started raining down.  I wonder what they thought when their boat, planted right in the middle of a plain, started to rock back and forth as the waters raised them up above the destruction of the flood.  God was saving them through that water.  He was lifting them above the destruction of the flood.  He was preserving them by his grace and mercy.  Jesus, I don’t think often enough about the saving grace of my own baptismal flood.  Though I deserved to sink down beneath your angry frown, though I deserved to be flooded beneath the cup of your wrath, my baptismal flood lifted me above your anger and your wrath.  My baptism lifted me up and saved me from the judgment that should have been mine.  You saved me there in my baptism.  O Spirit, remind me daily about the salvation that is mine through baptism.  Remind me every day that my baptism is a life-saving buoy that was given to me once, many years ago.  It is still something to which I can cling every day and not drown beneath your judgment.  Help me to treasure it and hold it every day of my life.  Amen.

Friday, July 18th

“When God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared.  In it a few-that is, eight people were saved through water.”  1 Peter 3:20

Lord God, Your patience with the wickedness of this world blows me away.  I see it all around me.  The wicked and the unbelieving seem to get away with it.  The injustice on our streets.  The perversion online and behind closed doors.  The creeping immorality of our society that even gets legalized.  If it makes me sickened and sad, I cannot imagine how you feel about it from your heavenly throne.  And yet, you are so patient with this world and all the people in it, even me.  You give us day after day to repent and to turn back to you, just like you did in the days of Noah.  You give us life and breath, day after day.  You give us all a time of grace.  You give it to each person: the pedophile and the rapist, the murderer and the racist, the slanderer and those who think evil thoughts about other people.  I pray, Lord Jesus, keep leading me to repentance.  But more than that O Spirit, lead more and more people in this world-yes, all of them!-to repentance and faith so that they might be saved from judgment and destruction.  You saved Noah and his family.  And you desire the same for me and for all.  Lord God, I pray, work through your Spirit and through your Word to bring faith and life to this dying world.  Bring about a revival in our day.  O Spirit, come, and save us all.  Amen.

Thursday, July 17th

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:9-11

Dear Jesus, You have given us a wonderful promise.  Our prayers are heard!  We are not speaking into the thin air.  Help me to remember to pray when I have needs or godly aspirations and to remember that it’s not all up to me.  Relieve me of the stress of thinking I am all alone to face the world.  I will pray more specifically going forward.  I love the illustration about parents.  I’m happy to give good things to my children.  How much more are you happy to give good things to me since I am your child.  I can see that prayer is a forgotten treasure in many of our lives.  Amen.

Prayer makes God happy because through it we show him we trust he cares.

Wednesday, July 16th

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.  If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”  Matthew 7:6

Dear Jesus, You stood in silence before Herod because he had no intentions of listening with an open heart to anything you would have said.  Your respect for the living word would not allow you to let it be trampled in mockery.  I want to revere the word that much too.  But I cannot read hearts like you.  I have to learn by experience.  Please help me to discern when to speak and when to keep silent and give me the courage to do both.  And when I choose to speak, make the words stick in the heart so the person I touch is forever changed.  Amen.

Silence can speak louder than words when used wisely. 

Tuesday, July 15th

"Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.”  1 Peter 3:16

Lord God, So often when I’m giving a testimony of my faith, I feel so much pressure.  I feel pressure to convince them.  I feel pressure to convert them.  Sometimes I even feel pressure from them.  Sometimes when people ask me about my faith, I feel as if I’m under attack from them, like they’re pinning me to the wall.  In those situations, Lord, I respond like one under attack.  I get out my sword and I argumentatively and aggressively come after them with whatever I have on the tip of my tongue and the front of my mind.  That’s hardly the gentleness and respect that Peter urges here.  Lord, when I’m asked for an answer, help me to remember that your Spirit is the one who fights, convinces and converts.  I’m just a witness on the stand.  I’m just telling the story.  Your Spirit, Lord Jesus, is the one who will convince and convert.  And when I’m attacked, help me to remember that I am just a messenger.  It is your Word and your Kingdom.  And no one enemy can stand against that.  You will defend your Word; you will defend your church.  All you ask me to do is let your Word loose like a lion from its cage.  I don’t need to defend you or your Word; you will do that.  Lord, then, make my answer gentle and respectful as one simply telling a story of salvation and giving the reason for the hope I have.  Amen.

Monday, July 14th

“But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”  1 Peter 3:15

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and my Savior.  You have given your life for me as a ransom, as the redemption to make me yours.  You have made me yours by my baptism into your saving name.  Your cross marks my head and my heart; I am yours!  You are mine, my Lord, my God, my Savior!  You are the Lord for my life.  Help me to trust that you are guiding everything in this world for me and for my eternal good.  You are Lord over my life.  Help me to fall into your arms, safe with you and safe under your care.  Help me, then, dear Jesus, to live under you in your kingdom.  Help me to follow you with my words and my actions.  Teach me to obey you as my Lord and my God. Help me to serve you daily.  You are my Lord and my God.  Help me to follow you as Lord so that people see the life that I’m living for you and might wonder who you are.  And when they ask, give me words and answer so that I might tell them what a good Lord you really are.  Amen

Saturday, July 12th

“Do not judge, or you too will be judge.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

Dear Jesus, I hate to admit it that I have been that guy pointing out the faults of others and crying their sins and weaknesses when all the while I had similar sins going on in my own heart and life.  It’s humbling but it’s true.  How hard it must be for you, the perfect Son of God, to watch us get mad at others while we are still failing in so many ways ourselves.  Oh, the patience and the pointed power I see in your words here.  If I will go through the painful process of repentance and apology myself, then I will see how to gently and clearly lead others out of their sins.  Help to let your Holy Spirit do his surgery on my heart.  Give me the insight and power to deal with my own sins first before trying to correct others.  Amen.

A wise person will let himself be corrected even though it comes with sharp pain.

Friday, July 11th

“Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.  Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated.”  1 Peter 3:13-14

Lord God, There are a lot of things in this life that scare me.  I’m scared about my future.  My health isn’t good and I’m afraid of what will happen to my body and life.  I’m scared about my finances.  Will I get that job?  Will I keep this job?  Will I have enough to take care of my family and pay my bills?  I’m scared about so many things.  I’m intimidated by people and what they think about me, even what they say about me.  Their words do wound me deeply.  But God, here with you I find my sanctuary.  Here with you I find my safety.  I am not afraid of my future when I am with you, because you hold and even control my future.  I am not worried about my finances when I am with you because you care for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, you promise to care for me too.  When I am with you, I am not afraid of what people say about me or what they’ll do to me, because you are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me.  Lord God, calm my heart and give me rest, even sanctuary in your presence.  O Lord, go before me today to lead the way.  O Lord, stay by my side today to assure me of my presence.  O God, go above me to watch over my footsteps.  O Savior, go behind me today to keep me from danger.  Stay by me, Lord God, and keep me I pray, for with you I have sanctuary.  Amen.