Thursday, September 27th

"If you oh Lord kept a record of sins, who could stand."- Psalm 130:3

Dear Lord, I catch myself thinking that I can stand in front of you because I do this or that kind of well.  Whenever I feel this way, I invariably catch myself thinking I am ahead of some other sinner in the "be good" game.  And in my heart I look down on them.  But when I am alone with you, I cannot escape the painful truth that I often do not even want to do good.  If you kept a record of my sins, I could not stand in front of you.  That's why I love you so much.  You have forgiven all of my sins.  There is no record of them to be found.  I see only you and your accepting smile.  Because you have forgotten my sins, I can forget them too.  AMEN

"Forgiveness is God's supernatural power to make everything right in a wrong world."

Wednesday, September 26th

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem." - Psalm 122

 Dear Lord, I have been pondering why corporate worship is so important when each of us has an intense personal relationship with you.  Then a brother wrote, "We need to gather with the church because we forget how desperate we are for redeeming grace, how complete are our resources in Christ, how God wants our spiritual life to be a group project, how life can never be found in the physical creation."  In corporate worship, I am reminded that life is in you and not the passing world outside of the sanctuary.  Help me to get myself to the gathering of believers so I may reap the benefits of the reorientation and restoration of my soul and may give others the same.  AMEN

 "Aloneness is good if we are alone with God and only for a time.  Otherwise we need to be interlocking with the other pieces in God's jigsaw puzzle so everyone can marvel at its collective beauty."

Tuesday, September 25th

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else,...For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” - Luke 18:9,14

Dear Lord, so often I see my salvation as something that happened to me in the distant past.  It's like I live as though I used to need grace, but now, well, I have grown so much and learned so much that I just need a little help with this or that problem, especially the problem of getting everyone else to be as good as me.  Ha Ha.  What a foolish thought! I need your redeeming, saving grace today just as much as the day I first received it.  Oh, Jesus, save me today and every day from the silly selfish way I struggle with pet sins, especially the sin of self-righteousness.

 "Perhaps before you start confessing your sins you should start by confessing your self-righteousness." - Paul David Tripp

Monday, September 24th

"Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

 Dear Lord, sometimes I think I am all alone carrying the many concerns I have.  I forget that you are near me and want me to give them to you.  I see in Scripture how you often put people in impossible situations so they would have to look for you to get your help.  I think of the parting of the Red sea or the disciples in the boat during a squall on the Sea of Galilee.  They had no choice but to let go of fear and beg you to be God for them.  Well, I am begging you to be God for me.  Fix those relationships.  Take care of that legal entanglement.  Protect my kids from the lost world that attracts their hearts from you.  Help our church come together in grace and joy and to stay on mission for your name's sake and for the sake of the lost.  Here, take all my concerns and be my God and Savior.  And make me gentle since I don't have the stress of carrying everything alone anymore.  AMEN

 "We carry no needs by ourselves. So, don't act like you are all alone."

Sunday, September 23rd

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” - John 6:27-29

Dear Lord Jesus, when I read any of the words you spoke, they arrest my mind and make me think hard on revealing grace. There is nothing more antithetical to work than believing in someone else's work.  So to say that the work that God the Father requires is to believe in you and your work, blows my mind.  I was born believing in myself and really no one else.  But you have taught me how wonderful it is to trade that self faith in for faith in you and your wonderful forgiveness and acceptance.  I do believe in you and the peace you have made for me on earth and in heaven.  I work hard to live in that peace but help me when I struggle with my unbelief.  When I am living immersed in your grace I feel confident, free to be myself and free to love others.  Oh, Jesus do me and the others around me the favor of fastening me firmly in your grace again today. AMEN

"A leopard cannot change his spots but nothing is impossible for God."

Saturday, September 22nd

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. - Luke 5:4-6

Dear Jesus, I sometimes wonder why you keep my nets empty and watch me toil "all night" without any success.  At those times I wonder if you are careless or cruel.  But then you step in and orchestrate a windfall for me in the same area I was trying to work out my own solution and just like Peter I am overwhelmed with the thought that you are God and I am not. That's when the net in my heart is filled with faith and understanding. I look forward to empty nets if it means that I will ultimately get a full soul.   Thank you for empty nets, because they set me up to learn anew that everything in my life really does depend totally on your blessing. AMEN

"Two foundational facts for human enlightenment: 1) There is a God!  2) You are not him."

Friday, September 21st

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. - Hebrews 11:17-19

Dear Lord, Abraham learned through the long saga of waiting for a child to trust your promises against all reason.  Then you asked him to sacrifice his son for you.  He stared at the unreasonableness of that request and still believed in your promise to keep Isaac on earth. He reasoned that you would raise him from the dead.  He was wrong about that but he was right about trusting your promises.  Help me to be "wrong and right" too.  What I mean is that I am asking you to give me that faith that believes your word over all reason and that tolerates being left to contemplate just how you will fulfill each promise in my life.  There's so much I don't know.  But what I do know is that you will keep your promise to graciously bring me to a blessed end.  Today, I will live by faith in you no matter how unpredictable the journey. AMEN

 "Faith is a gift from God that enables you to properly use all of his other gifts."

Thursday, September 20th

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. - Colossians 3:13-14

 Dear Jesus, help me and all those around me to live in the optimism caused by grace and forgiveness.  I do not want to look at people as the ones who have disappointed me.  Instead, I want to see them as precious souls that you have redeemed and have put in my life so I can either introduce them to love and mercy or accent the love the mercy they already know.  Come by your Holy Spirit and create in me the love that never dies for anyone and the mercy that binds me to them in peace.  There is no unity like the unity that you create through your gospel in action.  AMEN

"Don't make people feel like they live with a "speck inspector".  Instead, help them find redeeming love with skin on."

Wednesday, September 19th

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8-9

 Dear Jesus, your suffering on the cross has given me the courage to come out of the shadows of excuses and denial to face the ugliness of my own sins.  I am the reason you hung there on that cross.  But you are the reason too.  You wanted to rescue me and get me out of my huge predicament.  Now, help me to live the peaceful and honest life of one who is transparent about his failings and honest about his desire to get it right for your glory and other's good. AMEN

"When you live in the light of the SON you don't have to where sunscreen."

Tuesday, September 18th

Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:17-20

 Dear Lord, you have so much peace and tranquility to give your people every day.  Help your church who is called by your name to find that peace which comes from singing hymns and spiritual songs in their hearts and with one another rather than from a bottle.  When your saints self-medicate while claiming to live in the light of your freedom and grace it is a denial of the peace you promise to give freely to all who would trust your word enough to try using it to fill their hearts with your Spirit.  Oh, God, help us to live the true spiritual life. AMEN

 "Making melody in your heart to God will get you out of the blues."

Monday, September 17th

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

 Dear Jesus, it is so easy to create goals for myself that give me glory in their achievement.  While I pursue them they fill my life with meaning and purpose but once I have accomplished them, like an addict I am left empty and searching for a new goal.  Help me to grasp the noble goal of simply glorifying you.  Give me the power to break free from addiction to personal glory goals. Thank you for accomplishing so many goals for me that I can be content in just being loved by you.  The contentment you grant is a huge blessing.  AMEN

"Peace and contentment are the prize of faith."

Sunday, September 16th

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. PSALM 127:1-2

 Dear heavenly Father, I love how you remind me that I do not have to work at life as if it all depended upon me.  You are always at work and you are the captain of the ship.  What I struggle with is finding the balance between working hard at my various callings and resting enough because I know that you are the big X factor.  Help me to find joy in my work and family responsibilities as well as a peace in quiet reflective rest.  In both work and rest, stay by my side and fill my soul with your grace.  Without you I cannot do either.  AMEN

"God has given us a lot of things to do but being anxious over any of them is not one of them."

span

Saturday, September 15th

"If two lie down they can keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?"- Ecclesiastes 4:11

Dear Lord, you made us to live in constant contact and interdependence upon others.  You want us striving and working together with the people you have placed in our lives.  We need each other for help with basic needs and to meet the nuanced needs of our individual souls.  We cannot "do life" alone.  Thank you for the people you have given me that help me in ways beyond their own understanding.  And give me the humility to let them help me "do life" in the best possible way.  Help me to remember to express gratitude and encouragement also.  I see your love and mercy in the people you have put on my team, especially my spouse and family.  Thanks for being the great gracious God that you are. AMEN

 "An attitude of gratitude is a mark of faith in the God of grace."

�(+

Friday, September 14th

Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices in the truth." - 1 Corinthians 13:6

Dear Lord Jesus, in our culture this verse is particularly challenging. We are flooded with comedies on our televisions that showcase every kind of sexual innuendo and indiscretion that anyone could ever imagine and we are trained to laugh.  Dramas lead us to rejoice in revenge. It seems every station we click to is leading our hearts to indulge with a continual lust for the more absurd.  Help me to find the "off" button and to prayerfully and honestly be happier with the truth about life, love, purity and faithfulness than - than the lie.  Give me other things to do that bless and encourage my family and friends instead of wasting hours on questionable entertainment. I always feel better when I watch my intake as much as my outflow.  Help me love the good and to neglect the seedier side of our culture.  Thank you for giving me this desire.  I know that it is you working in my heart.  AMEN

"We must lead our hearts and not follow them."

�w

Thursday, September 13th

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

Dear Jesus, You are the source of all true spirituality. If we didn't know you we would be destined to be a profound pile of trash when it comes to the inner person. We'd be boasting of spiritual insight and moral maturity that ultimately leads to death's dead end without hope or true and lasting peace. But you have appeared and saved us. Your life washes ours. Your message changes our everything. We are redeemed, loved, forgiven and most of all saved for eternal life. Now out of thanksgiving I want to love people and grow spiritually. I just want life the way you intend it for your glory and my good. So, today make me godly in grace that your godliness creates. Amen.

All true spirituality springs from a vehement and clear presentation of the meaning of Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, September 12th

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4

Lord, I want that soothing tongue that puts salve on wounded souls, that puts wind in the sails of the discouraged, that builds up the value of those feeling worthless, that gently reproves and easily compliments. Give me the tongue that refuses to cut and cajole, that will not recklessly tease or put down someone just for fun. Give me the tongue that brings life and not death, joy not sadness and peace not conflict; a tongue that refuses to complain and gossip or let loose a rant. Give me the tone of song bird that makes others smile when they hear my voice. Touch my tongue and make it pure and sublime. Make me like you, for you bring life with all your words. Amen

Love in any language sounds beautiful to tender hearts.

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. - 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Dear Jesus, Your church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. That's why your heart aches when we let our churches grow complacent, distracted and inactive. That's why you hurt when pastors teach things foreign to your word and ways. That's why you intervene and interrupt our churches when we are fighting and competing with each other. Oh Jesus, make my church a strong pillar for the truth so we hold your gospel high to confront the world with your love and do not crumble under the weight of our own weaknesses. Amen.

God wants every church to be a healthy place for sin sick souls to be healed.

Monday, September 10th

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:1-4

Dear Jesus,

I know of churches that regulate what people eat and forbid their pastors to marry, although I am not in those churches. I also know that some weird and small cults have done the same for their adherents for many centuries. I'm in a church that gets grace and understands that true spirituality is found in your salvation and love and not in our self-imposed religious rules about diet and celibacy. But I know that since we are human we too, at times, will reduce the measure of our faith to the level of conformity we see in our fellows to our habits and ways of doing things.  I know the demonic world is after us to make us think it's all about what we do and don't do instead of about who we believe in and why. Protect us all dear Jesus, from the dubious trail of self-made worship that looks nothing like the pure mature freedom to love and trust that comes from understanding your great gracious rescue. Amen.

The minute we stop looking at ourselves as a burning stick snatched from the fire we will fall into a smug self-made righteousness.  Zechariah 3:2

Sunday, September 9th

"When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest field.'" - Matthew 9:36-38

Lord Jesus, yesterday I met two waitresses in a small town who were sponges for your word. They we're harassed by fear and trouble and they were confused about your word and promises. There are so many hungry people and so few dedicated to patiently explaining to them your love and truth. Please send out more people dedicated to teaching minds and leading hearts back home to you. And help me avoid useless and selfish distractions but to stay on the task of harvesting souls with my few remaining days. Help all your people to team up with their church to keep their lighthouse burning brightly. Amen.

"We do not all have the gift of gab but we were all left here on earth to help rescue those who are perishing. If you cannot do it alone, partner with those who can help you get it done."

Saturday, September 8th

"Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason, I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." - 1 Corinthians 4:16-17

Dear Jesus, you have changed my life forever. Your love has rescued me and your word has restored me. Now, I try to imitate you because I know you got it right in every circumstance.  Help me to live like you so others can have a living 3D example of how you are when they watch me.  I know I won't get it right all the time.  But I am willing to be led to do better today.  Give me an extra measure of your Spirit so I live a life way different than the world, all to your glory.  AMEN

"God showed us what he is like in Jesus Christ so we would know him and then get off the bleachers and renounce our spectatorship."