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. 

Thursday, December 4th

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, and extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalms 68:4-5

O God, Rise up!  There are so many people around me, in my city, who are broken and hurting.  There are so many people who are helpless against their circumstances.  They are helpless against trauma that has entered their life.  They are helpless against their own weakness, the depression, the anxiety, the mental disease, the physical disease that attacks them.  They are helpless against people in their lives who only want to hurt and harm them.  Father, rise up!  You are a Father of the fatherless, a defender of the widows.  You are a protector of the weak.  You are not just a God who cares; you are a God who can.  Rise up in your might and your power to defend, protect, to right the wrongs.  Rise up and lead prisoners to prosperity, the homeless to homes, and the fatherless to families.  Rise up and do what is good and right.  You, God, are King.  You, God, are seated on your throne.  Use me today as an instrument of your peace, of your righteousness, and of your justice.  Use me to rescue and protect and defend.  Rise up God and be the father of the fatherless and the champion of widows.  Show your strength, God and act on our behalf.  Amen.

Our God is not just a God who cares.  Our God is a God who can.  He has all power and might. 

Wednesday, December 3rd

Advent is really a Latin word, advenio, which mean to approach or draw near.  During this season we reflect upon the coming of Jesus.  We see him come to us first at Christmas, but we also know that he is coming again on the last day.  Advent then looks at Jesus coming from those two perspectives reminding us to prepare our hearts for his coming to our world at Christmas and for his coming on Judgement Day.

One of the ways we prepare our hearts is through the decorations that we put up.  They are more than just beautiful to look at, they also carry a message.  For example, the banner that now hangs on the (from your perspective) left side of the chancel (the chancel is the front part of the church) has four candles on it, representing the four candles of the Advent wreath and therefore the four weeks of the Advent season.  Each candle has a different word printed on it.  The first word is WATCH.  During the season of Advent we watch for the coming of Jesus.  We know when we are going to celebrate Jesus coming; December 25th of course!  It is on our calendar, but it wasn’t on the shepherd’s calendar.  They were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night.  They were surprised to hear from the angels that the savior had been born to them, because they were keeping watch for his coming.  We keep watch for Jesus glorious return not by staying awake forever or going up some mountain and staring at the sky.  We keep watch for Jesus by listening to his word and using the sacraments.  Through word and sacrament the Holy Spirit keeps our faith strong, faith that is constantly watching for Jesus return. 

Tuesday, December 2nd

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  Romans 5:10-11

Lord God, The blessings just keep coming.  The grace just keeps flowing.  And, Lord, I need it.  My sin and sinfulness show itself again this morning as my mind races and my heart shakes.  My sin and sinfulness show itself again this morning as my mind races and my heart shakes.  My sin and my sinfulness show itself in so many different ways in my heart and throughout my life.  Here I see such undeserved grace and kindness that just keeps flowing to me.  You reconciled me to yourself when I was your enemy!  And not just that, but you saved me through the coming, through the life, of your Son.  And not just that, but now I have a brand-new relationship with you.  This changes everything.  I no longer have to pursue peace with you; I already have it.  I no longer have to pursue friendship with you; I already have it.  Your grace and mercy overwhelm me this morning as I see gifts from your throne.  And they keep coming.  Continue to overwhelm me with your grace all day long that I might be a dispenser of your grace.  Amen.

God piles up his gifts of grace in front of our eyes at Christmas so that we might be overwhelmed with the abundant outpouring of those gifts our entire lives. 

Monday, December 1st

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”  Galatians 4:4-5

Dear Jesus, You humbled yourself to be born under law.  You created the whole universe, the laws of nature, the solar system and all its perfect timing, and yet you submitted yourself to be under law.  If I made all the laws myself, I would still break them.  You did what I had failed to do.  You kept every law, from the heart.  You never once used manipulation, rationalization, excuses, blame or any other defense mechanism.  You didn’t have to.  But you still took the blame for me breaking the law.  I broke them all and you took the blame.  Under law, you took the blame.  I’m so thankful that you chose to be born under law so I am forgiven to breaking the law so many times.  Now we can live forever in heaven where we will all live like you did on earth but without the presence of evil and guilt.  Thank you coming here so I could go there.  I can’t wait to be with you in perfection.  Amen.

What kind of friends draws near so he can take the wrap for you?  A heavenly one. 

Saturday, November 29th

“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”  Psalms 62:7

Dear Father, In this world, I am constantly seeking honor and glory.  I seek in the praise of the people around me.  I seek it in the acclaim of the larger community of people who may hear about me and the things that I’ve done.  They say that they’ve heard about me and I wonder if that’s good or bad or indifferent.  I see recognition and notoriety.  When someone else gets it, a seed of jealousy is sown in my heart.  Father, I want to be noticed.  I want honor and glory.  I want recognition, even if that is just a nod in my direction.  But, Father, I know that this pursuit of earthly glory is sinful.  I am simply confessing that my heart pursues the wrong things.  And, Father, in this I am not only pursuing the wrong glory but I am despising and forgetting about a better glory.  I am forgetting about the better glory and honor that I have through your Son.  His blood and his righteousness give me an honor far greater than any person or organization or institution could ever give me.  His blood and righteousness gives me an honor and a glory in your presence so that through him I get to hear your voice of pleasure.  And, Father, it’s not something that I need to chase.  My salvation and my honor not only depend on you, but they come from you.  You give it to me.  You put it on me.  So, now, Father, help me to lift up my head today because of honor and the glory which you have laid on me.  Help me to stand up and live with confidence because of who you have declared me to be.  Amen.

Jesus, your blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress; ‘midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.”  Nicholaus von Zinzendorf

Friday, November 28th

“Vindicate me, my God, and champion my cause against an unfaithful nation.  Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.”  Psalms 43:1

Lord God, If you were not on my side, I would have long ago gone my own way.  If you were not with me, I would long ago have wandered away and even given up the fight.  If you were not walking with me and filling me with your Spirit, I would have thrown up my hands in despair.  But Lord, you have been on my side from the moment I was baptized into your holy name.  You have been championing my cause from the moment I became your child.  You are certainly on my side.  As I begin my work this week and pursue your ways and your will, champion my cause against all those who would oppose you.  Better yet, Lord, champion your cause in this world and use me to do it.  Use me to push forward the kingdom of God with great force.  Give me strength to take hold of it and to advance your kingdom mightily.  Champion my cause against the forces of the devil.  Champion my cause against this unbelieving world so that your kingdom might take root in the hearts and lives of your most holy people.  Keep me from getting discouraged when the work is hard and seems to be in vain.  Assure me that because of your mighty resurrection this work is never in vain.  It is always yours.  And I am yours.  Champion your cause and use me to do it.  Amen.

The Christian life and cause is never in vain because God champions their cause.  God will not let it be for nothing. 

Thursday, November 27th, Thanksgiving Day!

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”  Psalm 100:4-5

Lord of Life, It is our duty to give you thanks.  We acknowledge our dependence on you as the source of all good things:

  For your grace and goodness, we give you thanks.

  For your Word that gives life and your works that sustain our life, we give you thanks.

  For faithful friends and the love of family who lighten our earthly journey, we give you thanks.

  For the joy of young children and the honor of old age, we give you thanks.

Free us today from all complaint.  Fill our hearts with contentment in every circumstance.  Keep us always as your people as we walk through life with thanksgiving.  Amen.     

Wednesday, November 26th

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”  John 15:16

Dear Jesus, I remember how exhilarating it was to be chosen to play on a team, or to be chosen for an award.  My sense of self-worth would skyrocket.  How much more meaningful it is to know that you have chosen me to be your disciple.  My relationship is safe since it’s based on your choice and not mine.  Thank you for singling me out to be your follower.  I want to serve you with all my heart since I’m on your team.  I want you to make glad that you chose me.  I know your grace keeps your heart safe, but I want to bless you too simply because I’m thankful.  Help me know what is pleasing in your sight in my relationships with people all around me.  Amen.

God started his friendship with us and he will finish it too. 

Tuesday, November 25th

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”  Psalms 40:2-3

Lord God, You have completely and thoroughly changed my fortunes and my outlook for my life.  And sometimes I don’t even realize it and it doesn’t even hit me.  It happened in my life before I was even aware.  At my baptism, Lord God, you snatched me from the jaws of hell and brought me into your family.  You lifted me out of the slimy pit and rescued me.  You set my feet on a rock, solid place so that I might stand.  You filled me with songs and praise to you.  O Lord, so often I lose sight of this great rescue.  Life with its every flowing stream of activities and responsibility distracts me from your greatness and from my firm standing.  And, Lord, I hate to confess this, but since I have been your child for many years and know well your gospel, I easily and quickly think to myself, “I’ve heard all of this before.”  Too many times, Lord, I lose my awe at your grace and your goodness.  I do not stand back with a sense of awe at all you have done for me.  Restore this to me, Lord.  You have so thoroughly changed my future and my fortunes.  You have so completely changed my footing and my destiny.  Help me to lift up my head and to live with the confidence and the outlook on life that only becomes because of the footing you have given me and the fortune you have laid out for me.  Amen.

Our future is certain and destiny is secure because our God makes it so.  Stand up and live life with the confidence that your future is secure in his grip.  

Monday, November 24th

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weights the heart.”  Proverbs 21:2

Dear Heavenly Father, Solomon said he got his wisdom from his father, David, and the Holy Spirit.  David was chosen by you to be king because you saw his heart.  You even passed up his older brothers because David’s heart beat in rhythm with yours.  You see the heart when we only see outward actions.  I know of people who have endless arguments about being “right.”  I have a few such arguments myself.  I love how your Proverb blows away all our self-righteous attempts to justify ourselves.  You weigh the heart.  I know you see how out of balance mine can be.  Please have mercy on me and forgive my sinful heart.  But take it further and purify my heart from all unclean and selfish thoughts and make me someone you like as much you love.  Make me holy from the inside out.  Amen.

In Christ and his word, we clean up really well!

Saturday, November 22nd

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”  Proverbs 22:9

Dear Heavenly Father, You are generous with all that you have made.  I am a grateful recipient of a multitude of your gifts.  Make me a generous person like you.  Whenever I have given freely to others, I have been blessed in my heart beyond what I would have thought.  But I have also noticed how often you put back double of what I have shared with others.  Oh God, you can be trusted to take care of the generous follower of yours.  Increase my faith so I will bless people in big way for the rest of my life.  Amen.

Love people big and you’ll be living large! 

Friday, November 21st

“Rich and poor have this in common:  The Lord is the Maker of them all.”  Proverbs 22:2

Dear Lord, How often have I sat in my car waiting for the light to turn green and looked over to see a homeless person panhandling and thought, “I’m glad my life is better than that?”  There’s a fine line between, “I’m glad my life is different” and “I’m glad I am different.”  The latter is deadly.  You are the maker of all people and in your eyes we all panhandle on the side of your road.  We beg you for handouts in our prayers.  We put ourselves in this predicament and we deserve nothing from your hand.  But daily you roll down the window and hurl out your Son, our jobs, our friends and our endless opportunities to succeed.  Thank you for your condescending grace that blesses us poor beggars.  Never let me look at anyone standing beside my two-ton blessing on wheels, as anything other than an equal soul, loved by you and put there for me to love too.  Amen.

All humans are cut from the same lumber.  God can salvage any one of us for his heavenly furniture.