Tuesday, November 20th

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. - 1 Peter 4:19

Dear Heavenly Father, I spend my whole life trying to avoid suffering.  If I feel pain, I do whatever I can to get rid of it.  If I sense a conflict in a relationship I tend to shrink back to protect myself from emotional pain.  If I see struggle and work coming my way, I think of how I can hurry up and get past it.  I am naturally wired to avoid pain.  And then you say in this verse, "those who suffer according to God's will ..." How foreign the idea is to me that you would will my suffering.  But for reasons that help me and others grow in life, you lead me into suffering.  I believe it.  That's what your word tells me.  Help me to continue having a good attitude even in suffering, to continue to do all the good I can for others even in suffering and to continue to glorify your name even in suffering. By your Holy Spirit give me the same maturity about suffering that your Son had when he willingly took up the cross for me.  AMEN

"Job's suffering was "good" in God's eyes because it taught the devil a lesson.  I wonder what my suffering is teaching him."

Monday, November 19th

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” - Luke 9:57-58

Dear Jesus, you lived your whole earthly life without ever settling down and making it home.  You weren't at home.  Home for you is heaven where all the angels praise you and understand the grandeur of your love and holiness.  Our dimwitted human race sees you only through the fog of our fallen reason.  How could you ever feel at home among us when we struggle so much to "get" you?  But you still came and loved us perfectly.  You left home to love lost souls.  Help me to leave my "den" to love lost souls just as you did.  If my comforts keep me from saving a soul I will despise that comfort. Relive your life through me until my last breath here.  Then I will be home with you. AMEN

 "Home for me is where Jesus lives in all his glory.  So, no matter where I roam here on earth, it will never be home.  I am content here however, because I am headed home."

Sunday, November 18th

We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

Dear Jesus, I love my parents because I realize how many great and wonderful sacrifices they made to love me and my siblings.  Their love for me has produced love in me for them.  It is the same with you.  Not until I realized what great love you have given me by making me and putting me in your world, did I really have any feelings for you.  And not until I realized the great sacrifice you made for my forgiveness and redemption did I have such strong feelings of attraction to your name.  But I love you now more than ever.  Help me to do the same for others by loving them first.  Help me to produce love in them by NOT waiting for them to show any feelings for me before I reach out to touch their lives.  And when they do notice that I have loved them with the kind of love that you have shown me, prevent me from exploiting that love and using it to manipulate them into liking me.  Give me the ability to simply tell them about how it was really your love flowing through me all along. AMEN

Loving another person first, takes faith in God and faith in the power of his love.

Saturday, November 17th

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  - Luke 9:61-62

Lord Jesus, lately we have had to remind our son to tell us what he is doing when he takes off to be with friends.  He can get so excited to be with friends that he forgets to communicate with his parents.  In that context I understand what you were saying to that fellow who wanted to follow you but first wanted to say "goodbye" to his family.  You want us to be so excited and faith filled that when you call on us to follow you that we drop everything and everyone to be near you.  I know you are God and I know that you give me eternal life.  I want to be near you more than everyone else.  Help me to make time to be with you in personal devotional time.  Help me to protect our time together with all my heart. And when I am with others, come with me and guide me so that in every place I am truly following you.  AMEN

Trying to follow Jesus and someone else is like "texting" while you are driving.  Disaster looms.

Friday, November 16th

I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. - Revelation 7:12

Dear Jesus, funny how you describe life on earth as "the great tribulation" and I spend so much energy trying to make it feel like heaven.  Why am I so surprised when daily life gets hard and troubles come?  You consigned the world to this as our chastisement for our sin.  Instead of making this heaven on earth where we all live in sin forever, you came and you lived and you shed your blood on that great and horrible day that was your "great tribulation".  Here, wash my life and make it white in your blood.  And reserve for me a place standing before your gracious throne where there is not more tribulation, trouble or sorrow.  Since I am going there to be with you in righteousness forever, help me to live with hope, joy and peace no matter what I am facing today. AMEN

 "True hope comes as a gift from God's good news and no where else."

Thursday, November 15th

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

Dear Jesus, right here in your word you tell me that I am my brother's keeper. You do not want me to get so lost in all of my troubles and aspirations that I cannot see the needs of others around me.  Help me to speak up for those in need in all circumstances.  Help me to be a peacemaker between others and one who networks for the benefit of my friends and acquaintances.  Open my eyes to see what you see.  When it hurts to look at the poverty around me, give me courage to overcome my wince, roll up my sleeves and relieve the pain if even in a small way.  You healed people that you knew would suffer again.  Help me to do the same.  AMEN

 “To serve the needs of others springs from the center of Christ's heart."

Wednesday, November 14th

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20

Dear Jesus, when I was a little child I always felt safe when I knew my Dad was around. When I was in school I always behaved better when I knew the teacher was in the room. When I was in high school I always had more fun when my closest friends were with me. When I have my family with me now, I have a hard time feeling lonely.  All of these blessings come from you sending someone to be with me!  And then I read your words, "I will be with you always."  You are all those people in my life; the One who makes me feel safe, who changes my behavior, who makes life more fun, who keeps me from feeling lonely.  I need you every hour to be with me.  Thank you for promising to be right here with me during this whole day.  I know today will be good, because today you will be with me.  Thanks.  AMEN

 "Jesus never intended for us to feel alone.  We did that to ourselves."

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Monday, November 12th

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

Dear heavenly Father, how much energy I have wasted by worrying over my own lot in life or that of my loved ones.  So often the bad things that I fear never happen and what looks bad you always turn for my good and the good of others.  Furthermore, you often bring blessings into my life, more than I could ever imagine.  Today I will listen to your word!  I give you each of the things I have been fretting over. (List them here.)  Since I won't be worrying so much, I will give myself to doing more productive things, like helping others in your name.  Show me today someone I can help.  And give me the energy to act on my thoughts and make it happen.  AMEN

 Without worry, we are free to grow and go in ways we never imagined."

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Tuesday, November 13th

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. - Philippians 2:14-15

Dear Jesus, you lived 33 years and never once did you grumble.  I am not sure I can go 33 minutes without grumbling to myself.  I am grateful that your life covers mine.  But I see what you are saying.  When I live out my days cheerfully, then I shine in front of a world darkened by selfish grumbling. I want the music of my life to match the words I hold out to them.  Come by your Holy Spirit and exchange my poor pitiful grumbling with your cheerful, faith filled joy.  Make my life a blessing to those who need to be cheered up today. AMEN

"Anyone can grumble in the face of adversity.  Keeping a cheerful spirit is the real accomplishment."

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Sunday, November 11th

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.  - Psalm 139:1-4

Dear Heavenly Father, so often I wonder if I am alone.  I cannot see you and I have never heard your voice.  But then I see in your word that you are intimately involved in every move I make.  You see me all day and all night.  You know my thoughts and words before I do.  I find comfort in knowing that you know me so well.  I cannot hide anything from you.  Help me to remember that when I am tempted to sin or to doubt your loving care.  You knew everything about me and still chose to redeem me in your Son.  How can that be?  It's what makes you so amazing to me.  I want to make you happy with my thoughts, words and actions.  Help me be pleasing in your sight today. Give me someone new to encourage as well.  AMEN

 "God is always present whether we acknowledge him is the only contingency."

Saturday, November 10th

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6–7

Dear God, I live alone with myself so much of the time. No one knows what I am thinking.  No one knows what I am worrying about.  No one knows my little fantasies and secret insecurities.  And no one seems to care nearly as much as I do about myself.  Since I cannot hear you, I wonder too, if you know what is going on in this heart of mine.  But then I read what Jesus said.  You even know each sparrow, like the stripped sparrow that the Audubon Society says is 700 miles off track north of town right now.  You know how he got here and where he will be tomorrow along with every other sparrow in the whole entire world. You have not forgotten me and you know my heart.  What's more is that you love me.  That blows my mind because I don't love me, not like that.  I love me in a selfish way; You love me in a pure and encouraging way.  Thank you for leaving behind these words of love and grace, "You are of more value than many sparrows."   Today I will smile to think that you see each thought and know each word before it leaves my mouth.  AMEN

"We are never alone, not for one second.  Let that thought make you live as light hearted as a sparrow."

Friday, November 9th

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:14-25

Dear Lord Jesus, I look forward to many things in heaven but none so much as the freedom I will experience from my sinful self.  I am so tired of knowing the right thing to think and do, but choosing to do the wrong.  The more I learn about your will and ways, the more it feels like there are signs everywhere saying, "Wet paint." that beg me to touch.  I can see from a distance a negative reaction to a problem and promise myself that I will not do it, and almost like the script of a predictable movie, there I go, thinking and saying the very thing I promised you and me both that I would not!  I can't stand me!  But I am glad that you can.  You rescue me with grace first and grace last.  I am forgiven.  I am loved.  I am strengthened.  I know that I can improve with your grace and power, but improvement is not what I need as much as grace.  Help me always to desire both but to live in grace while I simply work on improvement I want to keep in step with your Spirit.  AMEN

 "Being a child of God is much better than doing everything perfectly."



Thursday, November 8th

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 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 12:3-5

Dear God, in this word from Paul I see two ditches in which I can fall.  On the one hand I can think that I am so gifted that I can do more than the rest and so I will try to control every task in the family or the church.  I could think I am just too smart to not exert my influence and help.  But on the other hand, I could believe that I am so below average in my gifts that I do not believe I have the need to offer any help in important matters.  Instead, I will think I have permission to waste valuable time entertaining myself and playing through life.  Either ditch is foolish thinking and it keeps me out of living in the truth.  I see the truth that you have gifted me with some gifts for the good of others and have also given them some gifts for my benefit.  I want to fit together happily with each one.  Help me to accept my gifts and responsibly serve others while I also graciously let them serve and shine with their gifts.  AMEN

 "Be who you are and not more or less.  Then you will enjoy the ride from the right seat on the bus."

Wednesday, November 7th

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:20-21

Dear Jesus, so many of my dearest friend’s bodies are failing them.  Their immune systems cannot triumph over the cancer or the heart is wearing out, or their brain has slipped a cog, or some other organ has thrown a rod.  My own body shows the wear and tear of high mileage at an early age.  If it were not for the hope of our rescue and ultimate renewal, I would be totally depressed.  But I do have hope, albeit sometimes only a small part of my thoughts.  I have hope in heaven where we will all be together, where we will all be close friends, where we will all be free from the fear of death.  Thank you for tasting death for everyone so we can live through this terrible dream called "dying" with peace and hope in living beyond it all when we "wake up" in heaven.  AMEN

 "If the faith you hold does not get you over the great divide alive, it is worthless."

Tuesday, November 6th

But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, - Job 34:29

Dear God, you hide yourself and what you are doing from me and it drives me crazy.  I spend so much time and energy trying to figure out my life.  After much thinking, talking and praying it still doesn't make sense.  I cannot understand all your ways.  I cannot understand half of your ways.  I cannot understand 1/10 of your ways.  I think I am starting to get it that I am to find peace in letting go of the hope of making sense of everything.  Your love and promise to be God of my life in grace is enough.  I will stop being irritated with your silence since I know you can handle the universe just as you did before you formed me.  AMEN

"Rest is not found in figuring out your life, but in trusting the One who has it already figured out for your good and his glory." - Paul David Tripp

Monday, November 5th

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? - Galatians 3:1-3

Dear Jesus, when I stare at your cross and ponder what it all means I lose myself.  If I tried my hardest to earn such love I would be embarrassingly foolish.  It would only cheapen the gift to try to earn it after it was given.  I am freed by your love there on the cross but I am also enslaved by the thought that you suffered death and hell for me.  Today, I will serve you without any fear because I know I am yours by that one finished, catastrophic act of love.  The fact that you forgave already all the many embarrassing things I have thought, said or done is the most attractive part of your cross.  It is the only thing that helps me live them down.  I am yours Jesus because you are mine.  AMEN

"If you obey for a thousand years, you're no more accepted than when you first believed." - Paul David Tripp

Sunday, November 4th

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. - Philippians 3:7-9

 Dear Jesus, I have spent enough of my life trying to feel good about myself by how good others think of me and my performance.  It seems that once I muscle my way to the top of the pile, and stagger to my feet, the feeling of contentment and accomplishment fade as fast as cotton candy and I am left looking at the next hill to climb hoping desperately that it is the right hill to give me self-worth and a sense of value in my person.  But the hundred disappointing hills that I conquered that lay behind me are testimony to the futility of such a life.  I love it that you tell me that you have given me your success and your worth.  Now I have a new pursuit, to love you and others from a heart freed from self-actualization.  I am right with you and the world is right for me as a place to serve.  Thank you for rescuing me from the awful treadmill of selfish ambition.  AMEN

 "If you have been freed from needing success and acclaim to feel good about yourself, you know that grace has visited you." - Paul David Tripp

Saturday, November 3rd

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15:5-6

Dear heavenly Father, I sometimes get so weary of enduring life in my situation and with the people you have wedged me between.  I know they get weary of enduring me too.  I am even less enduring with my worldly generation that is rushing headlong into hedonism and selfishness.  But you are the God who gives endurance and I need a heavy dose from you now.  Please give me the encouragement that I need to take one more step and complete one more day of service to you and them.  Make me an instrument of your peace and unity.  Help me to make the most sandpaper soul feel loved and connected.  I will not have to endure this forever, but you will still be here enduring people after my departure to your glory in heaven.  So, reach down into your storehouse of love and pour it on me so I can finish this race.  AMEN

 "I don't want to win.  I just want to finish as a friend of God."

Friday, November 2nd

If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny his own." - 1 Timothy 2:13

Dear Jesus, what it must have been like for you to remain faithful to Peter and Judas while they were all over the map that fateful night.  One came back to you.  The other went away forever.  But you were there for them both.  And you are there for me too.  It is strangely comforting that you are seething in silence over my wayward choices but patiently waiting for me to come to my senses.  You remain faithful while I jump around in my weaknesses.  I am coming back to you now.  Forgive me, and strengthen me to be constant in my love, faith and life toward you today.  Help me make the right choices even if they cost me friends or friendliness.  You cannot deny me and I don't want to deny you. AMEN

"God's faithfulness rests on who he is, not on what you are doing." - Paul David Tripp

Thursday, November 1st

 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. - Philemon 1:4-5

Dear Lord, today I pray for your bride, the church. I see so many of your saints who are either indifferent or critical of their brothers and sisters in the faith and they are starving each other of the unending grace that you gave us to enjoy as the wealth of our faith.  Somehow they think they are offering you service by rejecting fellow Christians over matters that have nothing to do with truth.  Oh, Jesus, fill us with your loving Holy Spirit so we fulfill your deep desire to see us love one another the way that Paul encouraged Philemon.  If we must spar about matters that need resolution, help us to fight more like friends having a pillow fight rather than enemies shooting high powered rifles at one another. AMEN

 "A godly person will show you love even when they are sharply disagreeing with you."