Lord, make me a person of integrity and character so that I am the same person who follows you no matter where I am or who I am with.
Servant Leadership
Can't Screw it Up
Open my Eyes
It's coming!
Blessing
Unconditional Trust
Abundant Life
Carpe Diem
Tenacious.
Stay in it.
Gushing
Work and trust. Work and pray.
Wide Open Spaces
Coming in Weakness
Finished before Starting
John 6:26 – Do not labor for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him the Father has set his seal.
Lord God, the day is just beginning and there is a list of things that needs to get done. My to-do list seems to grow by the hour not shrink, even as I check things off my list. It’s overwhelming just to consider. But that to-do list is nothing compared to your expectations of me. The love you want me to show and the service you want me to perform is all too much for me. This verse from Jesus is such a breath of fresh air. It reminds me what I’m really working for today. In fact, it reminds me that I already have what I want. Jesus, you are the bread that lasts to eternal life; yes, you are the bread that gives me eternal life. You are the One that checked off every item on God’s to-do list and gave the completed list to me. You are the One who forgives my every sin and gives me strength, by your Spirit, to live for you today. What peace this gives me to know that already, right now, I can start my day with a completed task list, the only task list that matters. I start this day with the confidence that the work you required of me is already completed. I start this day with the hope that you will give me strength to do that which you want me to do this day. Amen.
No Loitering
Life Now
Day 1: John 5:1-30, Genesis 16-18
John 5:24 – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Lord God, I live and act sometimes like I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I live as if it were all up to me. And then I look at the daily grind and long for it all to be over. I look the future for hope and wait with expectation for what you are preparing for me in heaven. I can’t wait for that. But Lord, you show me here that I can live now, that you have given me life already now, today. Even now. Today. I have as my very own possession eternal life. I have, already today, passed from death to life. There is no judgment for me. You have already declared my verdict; I am not guilty. You will raise me from the dust of the earth on the last day; I will live with you forever. And even now, already today, you promise to be with me and even play for me – you, Lord Jesus, are for me and not against me. You understand the struggles I face and you can help me. In fact, you want to and even do help me. You invite, yes, even urge me to come into your presence with anything at any time. I don’t have to wait until heaven to enjoy your blessings. Grant joy to my spirit by your Spirit because of the life I already have from you. Amen.
Always a Student
Day 6: Proverbs 1:1-19, Psalm 1-5
Always a Student.
Proverbs 1:5-6 – Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Lord God, I know that this is good advice and good counsel from Solomon. He rightly urges me to constantly be a student and to increase my knowledge. He rightly tells me that it takes work on my part to grow up. I know, O Lord, that it is the Holy Spirit’s work to give me faith, to give me wisdom, and to transform my heart and life by the Word that I study. And, at the very same time, you urge me to do the work of a student, to learn, to listen, to wrestle, to chew. I confess that I have often passively sat in my student’s desk and have not engaged in the study of your Word. I have listened to a sermon without doing the work of a listener. I have read your Word without wrestling with it, meditating on it, and chewing it. Questions about your Word have come to my mind, but I have not expended the effort and energy to go get answers and learn from you and from others. I’m sorry that I have sat idly. I have grown stale and stagnant. Today, I ask, help guide and support my pastor as he prepares a meal of God’s Word for me. Give him your Words so that he rightly speaks as your agent of grace to me. Help and prepare me to hear from him tomorrow. Give me good rest tonight so that I can attentively listen. Help me actively listen, engaging my mind and my heart. Make me a student tomorrow that I might apply your Words spoken during worship to my heart and life. Your Word is always relevant and I can never know it well enough. Grow me by your Word tomorrow and every day. Amen.