Satuday, December 27th

“Who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”  Psalms 24:8

Lord God, The questions that David asks lead me to ponder more fully and more deeply who you are.  Who is the King of glory who comes?  Ah, Lord, you are strong and mighty.  You are the God who created the earth, the world and everything in it.  You are the God who laid the foundation for this world and all who in live in it.  You are the God to whom everything belongs.  Jesus, you are the Savior who tames the seas and commands the demons and sends them to the place where they belong.  You are the Savior who sets prisoners free, who gives sight to the blind, who gives hearing to the deaf, and speech to the mute.  You are the Savior who gave his life to redeem me and the whole world.  Who is this King of glory?  You are the God who rises up to defeat all of my enemies for me.  You are mighty in battle.  You are a warrior god who fights for me, for my salvation, for my safety, for my course in life.  You are a warrior God who fights and wins.  Thank you, Father, for these inspired questions that lead me to meditate on you and your greatness.  Help me to rise up today to greet you.  Amen.

Our King is a mighty, warrior King who rises up to defeat our enemies, who fights for our salvation, for our safety.  Our King is the almighty God who owns and rules all things for his people. 

Friday, December 26th

“The goat will carry on itself sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.”   Leviticus 16:22

Dear Jesus, There are times when I read through the book of Leviticus and am completely overwhelmed by all the details and confused by the acts, the rites and rituals that God wanted his people to do.  But this much I understand.  You, God, are holy!  And unholy people and unholy things can’t just waltz into your presence.  You made it abundantly clear to Aaron in this chapter that he couldn’t just come in.  Atonement had to be made.  Blood had to be shed.  Sins had to be removed and sent away.  These things were not optional if Aaron and the people wanted to be able to approach God.  Jesus, you have done the same for me.  There was and is nothing that I can do that will make the way for me to enter God’s presence.  But you have made atonement for me and shed your blood to remove my guilt.  You, dearest Jesus, have taken my sin on yourself and have taken it into the wilderness, as far away from me as the east is from the west.  And now, because of you alone, I can enter God’s presence.  Now, because of you, I can approach you.  Thank you.  Thank you for the joy of coming close to you.  Thank you for the privilege of approaching you in prayer.  I can come all the way into your most holy presence because my sins and guilt are removed.  Amen.

God makes it absolutely clear that sin separates us from him.  He makes it just as clear that sin is removed by the blood of Jesus alone.  It is for this reason alone that Jesus came into this world at Christmas: to shed his blood for me, for you, for all. 

Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day

Dear Savior Jesus Christ, On this day as we celebrate your birth we rejoice at the message the angel proclaimed, “A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”  You came to do what we could not do for ourselves.  You came to be our righteousness; keeping your Father’s commands.  You came to be the One who covered our sins with holy blood shed on Calvary’s cross.  This day, grateful hearts bow in humble adoration, grateful tongues rejoice and grateful eyes see that you, O Savior God, did all so one day, through faith in you, we will enjoy heaven’s glory.  As the Holy Spirit has given us faith in these truths, may these truths inspire us to proclaim this life-giving and life-changing message to desperate people dead in their sins.  May many more be blessed to see you, Jesus Christ, as their Savior from sin.  We ask this blessing, O Savior, as we also again this Christmas Day thank you for coming to be our Savior.  Amen.

Wednesday December 24th

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making this holy night so beautiful.  The sparkling lights, the joyful carols, and the beaming faces of family and friends cheer my heart every year.  With the angels I glorify you; with the shepherds I kneel and adore you.  With Mary I treasure up the wonders of your birth, and all year long I will ponder such unfathomable love that made you, both the Son of God and a human child, my Savior.  Amen.  (From “There’s a Prayer for That.”)

Tuesday, December 23rd

“How Long Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?”  Psalm 13:1-2

Dear Heavenly Father, I can feel all alone when I’m suffering from health problems or some situation outside of my control.  I pray and pray and never hear a sound from you.  I know you love me along with everyone else but I still often feel it would be more loving for you to audibly comfort and guide me.  It’s comforting to meet David in this psalm and see he had the same frustration while suffering.  You promise to speak to my soul through your word.  Help me find your voice there and to trust your unfailing love no matter how long I must wait for answers or rescue.  I trust you as my Savior and I will wait patiently for your help and rescue.  Amen.

God is worthy of our love and trust even when we cannot make any sense out of our lives under his heaven.

Monday, December 22nd

“They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”  John 16:2

 Dear Jesus, Thanks for letting us know that sometimes we will even suffer at the hands of those who think they are doing you a favor.  It plays a dirty trick on my mind to have someone mark me as evil and think they represent you when they are criticizing or persecuting me.  Help Christians everywhere listen to your words of comfort.  We cannot get our clarity from what others are saying, especially those who are persecuting us.  We have to listen to you.  It seems impossible for a person who hates out of “faith” to have the ability to be converted.  But nothing is impossible for you.  So, help me to love, forgive and actively serve even those who hurt me in the name of God.  My righteousness comes from you.  I will wait patiently for you to work everything out.  Amen.

Always get your affirmation from the promises of God and not the acceptance or rejection of mere mortals. 

Saturday, December 20th

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Dear Jesus, The older I get the more I face situations I seem to handle less confidently.  I think you are purging me of my self-confidence so it will give way to “god Confidence”.  I remember my dad’s tight grip on my little hand when we walked across busy streets.  I am comforted to know you hold my hand in every situation.  I can be small while you are big.  Give me the peace that you won’t let me go even when I am jerking my hand around while saying, “Let me handle this.”  Don’t listen to me.  Listen to this prayer and hold to me forever. Amen.

God won’t let go of his child anymore than you’d let go of a screaming toddler near a busy intersection.

Friday, December 19th

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”  Psalms 107:2-3

Dear Father, Throughout history you have shown yourself to be a God who turns tables and changes fortunes.  When your people were wandering in the wilderness, you changed their fortunes and brought them into a land flowing with milk and honey.  When your people were surrounded by their enemies and seemed destined for defeat, you turned the tables on their enemies and swallowed their enemies in the sea.  This is the story of your rescue throughout the Bible.  A story of intervention in the pride and arrogant ways of your people to turn them back to you.  A story of turning tables on their enemies.  A story of changing their fortunes.  A story of restoring this wilderness of a world into a wondrous paradise.  This is the story of your own work in my life, dear Lord.  You have rescued me!  You brought me to your side.  And when in pride and arrogance I began to go my own way, you intervened to rescue me, to redeem me, to turn me back.  Sometimes you brought me low so that you could lift me up.  Sometimes you turn the tables on those who wanted to hurt me.  Sometimes I don’t even know what you have done in my life to work, to save, and to redeem.  But Father, I know what kind of God you are.  You are a God who turns tables and changes fortunes.  Help me to tell your story today and every day.  Let my whole life sing this story.  Let my mouth tell it loudly and proudly.  Amen.

Our God is a God who turns the tables and changes fortunes!

Thursday, December 18th

“As for man, his days are like grass-he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.  But from eternity to eternity the LORD’S faithful love is toward those who fear him…His kingdom rules over all.  Psalm 103:15-17, 19

Dear Father, I often forget how temporary and fleeting my life and all the things in it are.  I often forget and get quite worked up about how things are going in my life and in my work.  I get frustrated and upset when things don’t go my way.  I get consumed by the pursuit of things in my life.  But in this, Father, I forget how temporary those things are.  They are here for a moment, but as soon as I get the newest thing it begins to decay and soon it is old, worn, and useless or forgotten to me.  And it’s the same thing with me.  The things that do matter in the moment, but after that moment passes the wind blows over the spot where I was and the place where I worked and I am forgotten.  I say this, Father, not with a sense of despairing fatalism, but with a sense of clear focus.  It is important for me to work and to work well while I can.  It is important for me to make smart decisions in this world.  But it is just as important to remember that my impact and importance in this world is only small and is only temporary.  It is even more important that I remember that your kingdom endures forever and that your kingdom is over all.  When I am all worked up because of the course of my life, remind me that you, Lord, are King.  When I am concerned about things outside of my control or beyond my time, remind me that you, Lord, are King over all.  The wind will never blow over your spot and remove all remembrance of you from the earth.  The ripples of your impact in this world will never stop going out into this world.  And your impact includes me and my life!  You are concerned for my life and are compassionate for me!  Help me to remember this, dear Father, as I live my life.  Give me a godly perspective on my life and a deep hope in your compassion and rule.  You, Lord, are King!  And your kingdom endures forever.  Amen.

My life is short and my impact is limited.  But the impact of King Jesus is eternal.  His kingdom and his rule extends over all-even me! 

Wednesday, December 17th

The third candle on the banner has the word BELIEVE printed on it.  This probably sounds like the most obvious one, of course we have to believe.  Yet we ought not take the faith that we have for granted. Think about Mary, about to start the next phase of her life.  She is betrothed to Joseph.  She is about to be a wife and if God will it a mother.  She likely had all these plans in her head about what life would be like.  Then an angel appears to her with a very strange message.  The angel tells her that even though she is a virgin, that she is going to become pregnant and give birth to the Son of God.  If that happened to you, what would you think?  We might think it was a very strange dream, or maybe we might wonder if there was a gas leak in the house that is making us hallucinate.  Yet Mary believes the angel (Luke 1:38), “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”  Even though what she has just been told is impossible and ridiculous to human reason, yet Mary believes it.  By his grace God overcomes her unbelief and brings her to faith.  God has done the same for you.  You believe that it was not just an ordinary birth in Bethlehem, but that in the manger rests true God and true man in one person.  That you believe this is God’s gracious gift to you.  That faith also believes that this same Jesus will come again, but not as before in humility.  Instead we believe that Jesus will come again in glory with all the angels and end this world.  When that day comes we believe that he will take us to be with him forever. 

Tuesday, December 16th

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:17-19

Dear Heavenly Father, So often I show thanks only after have granted success in earthly matters.  But here Habakkuk says thanks even though his crops fail, and the livestock are gone and he isn’t sure if he will have enough to eat.  He thanks you because he believes your word that promises your direction and protection even when he cannot see it with his eyes.  I thank you now like he does.  I thank you that you are my rescuer and provider even though I don’t know how you are going to do it.  I just trust you will see me through everything in my life and then give me a place in glory with you as the grand prize at the end.  I will trust you through plenty and puny.  Amen.

God is worthy of our thanks just because he is our God.  How he blesses is just details. 

Monday, December 15th

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”  Psalms 91:11

 Dear Father, These words set my heart at rest.  As I walk through my life and face danger all the way, it is comforting to know that you have given a command about me!  About me!  There are so many people in this world that you are concerned about, yet you are concerned about me!  There are so many people whom you protect (all of them!), yet you give commands about me!  You tell your angels to watch over me, to protect me in all of my ways.  You tell them to pick me up in their hands to deliver me from danger, especially danger to my soul.  When Satan wants to rob me of faith and my eternity, your angels' step in to wage war for me.  When I cry out to you, you immediately respond to my every prayer.  Protect me, I pray.  Many dangers surround me.  Unseen dangers and threats come after me.  Protect me with your angels.  Keep giving them commands about me so that I might live and serve you all my days.  Amen.

Though there are many things and many people in this world about whom God is concerned, he gives his angels charge over me! 

Saturday, December 13th

“The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.  Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”  Psalm 28:8-9

Dear Heavenly Father, I love this prayer where David asks you to be his Shepherd.  We all want someone to take care of us.  I want you to be the one.  You are the author of my life.  You know the troubles of my situation.  You understand my limitations and my insecurities.  You know my vulnerabilities and my fears.  You know my needs and my wants.  Be my shepherd O God.  Take me by the hand and lead me through any difficult days that lay ahead for me.  As long as I have you as my shepherd, I can face the uncertain future.  Heal me, save me, make me whole.  You are my everything.  Amen.

God will be with us in every moment.  He cannot forget his own. 

Friday, December 12th

“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”  Psalm 28:6-7

Dear Heavenly Father, I find myself today being thankful for the merciful way you have treated me for my whole life.  Since I was an infant you have heard my cries for help.  Time after time you sent someone to my rescue.  First my parents, then teachers, friends, police, fire fighters, doctors and other medical professionals.  You have given me godly advice through mentors and have even sent strangers to donate their time for my benefit.  You are behind every help and rescue.  I have thankfulness and joy.  I know how selfish I can be and yet you continue to bless with a forgiving heart.  I trust you because you love so unconditionally.  Thank you for being the God who saves sinners and makes their lives valuable and important.  Amen.

If we simply stop to count blessings, we can change our attitude to gratitude in a heartbeat. 

Thursday, December 11th

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”    Psalm 90:14

Lord God, The weight of sin and the burden of life is truly heavy to carry.  It is more than I can bear, though I try mightily to bear it.  I try to push through the weakness of my flesh.  I try to ignore the guilt that lurks in my conscience, that just kind of sits there all day long.  I try to constantly shed it during the day by working harder, by praying more, my meditating longer.  Lord God, the weight of my guilt and the weakness of my flesh lays a burden on me that is impossible to bear.  Forgive me for this foolishness, dear Lord.  And this morning, I pray, satisfy my soul with your faithful and unfailing love.  Your unfailing love truly and fully removes all of my guilt.  Your unfailing love truly and fully envelopes me with your grace and mercy, even in my weakest moments of deepest distress.  Your strength holds me up when the burden is too heavy to bear.  In my weakness, teach me to depend on you for strength.  Yes, even in my strength, teach me to despair of me and to depend on you.  Let your mercies rain down on me this morning and this week as I rise up to serve you.  Let your power and your Spirit gush down on me from above that I might be filled with your wisdom and your strength.  My strength is weak; your strength is truly strength.  Fill me with it.  Amen.

There is only one thing that truly satisfies and sets our hearts at rest.  The faithful and unfailing love of our God is that one thing.  His love and his power alone lift the weight of guilt and the weakness of our mortality. 

Wednesday, December 10th

There are a million things to do before Christmas, sometimes we even start in September preparing.  There are gifts to buy, travel plans to make, meals to plan and let’s not forget worship services to attend.  Yet what so easily gets lost is that we need to take time to PREPARE ourselves too.  With everything going on we don’t always take the time to make sure we are preparing our hearts to meet Jesus.  The primary way we prepare to meet Jesus is through repentance.  Repentance is more than just feeling bad about the things we do wrong.  Repentance is turning away from our sin.  Yes, that means we feel bad about the things that we do wrong, but it also means resolving to not repeat our mistakes.  The other part of repentance is turning to God to forgiveness.  Our hearts are prepared to meet Jesus when we recognize our sins, all the foolish things we have done, and trust in Jesus to forgive us.  The hymn writer said it so beautifully, “Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin and furnished for a guest within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.” (CW93 #16)

Tuesday, December 9th

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalms 86:11

Lord God, This is what I need; this is what I ask.  Teach me your ways and give me an undivided heart.  Fill my heart so completely with a love for you and a trust in you that nothing can shake me.  Why is it, O God, that I grow afraid and overwhelmed when things and people threaten me?  Could it be, Lord God, that my heart is not fully captured by your love and fully trusting in your works?  That’s what you told the disciples when they were terrified by the storm.  You questioned whether they were fully trusting in you.  “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Why is it, Lord, that I grow weary and tired in living my life?  Could it be, Lord, that I am trying to do things in my life that are yours to do?  Could it be, Lord, that I am pursuing things that are not good and will never satisfy?  That’s what you teach me again and again.  This is why I ask it, Lord.  Teach me your ways and give me an undivided heart.  There is no god like you in heaven and earth.  There is no one else who has created this world and cares for me like you do.  There is no one else who tore the heavens apart to rescue our sinful human race.  O God, give me an undivided heart that loves you fully and that trusts you completely.  Amen.

So much of our life is spent worrying and chasing.  There is no one like our God!  He will give us what need and protect us from eternal harm.  Set your heart on that and on nothing else. 

Monday, December 8th

“We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.”  Psalm 78:4

 O Almighty and gracious God, You have been so good to me.  You have been so good to your people throughout history.  Through the ages you have been our God and you remain the same.  You rescue your people dramatically and powerfully time and time again.  You turn from your anger and turn to snatch them from the grip of their enemies.  You have been so good to me.  Father, as much as you remain the same, so do I.  I struggle with the same forgetfulness and stubbornness of previous generations.  I know the lessons of the past, but I have not always learned from them.  My heart often grows bitter and envious.  My heart often grumbles and complains against you.  I forget your goodness.  I forget your rescue.  And then I complain against you.  O almighty God, first, I pray help me to remember the things you have done.  Make these truths about your rescue rise to the top of my heart that I may remain your child.  And, then, Spirit, make me eager and bold to pass this on to my children, to my community, to my church family.  Make me eager to remind, to teach, to encourage, to rebuke.  Give me the right words in the right season to pass on the truths of your Word to the next generation.  You have been so good to me.  Help me to hold it close for my own heart and to share it widely for the whole world.  Amen.

The story of God’s goodness is a story for my own heart and soul.  It is also a story that meant for the rest of the world.  Pass it on. 

Saturday, December 6th

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12

Dear Jesus, Help my friends in Christ and me to put on your beautiful clothes today and wear them for the blessing of others and the betterment of all humankind.  Help us avoid soiling our spiritual clothes with crankiness and chronic complaining.  Where we see sin, help us to forgive and to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Help us take words and actions in the kindness possible way.  Amen.

Jesus Christ’s spiritual clothing is always in style.

Friday, December 5th

“Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.”  James 1:18

Dear Jesus, By your own will you brought me to faith by teaching me the gospel of your love.  It was your plan, your choice, your mission.  I feel so valued that you would rescue me and call me a first-fruit.  The first-fruits were the treasured produce after a long growing period that were given back to God as a sign of the people’s love for you.  If I am your first-fruit then you are saying I’m treasured.  Since I know I’m treasured enough for you to send your Son for my rescue, I want to give me life back to you in return.  Use me to bless others the way you have blessed me.  Amen.

The key to longevity in service to others is the constant awareness of our own rescue.