Inside Scoop

Proverbs 3:27-35, Psalm 24-27

Psalm 25:14 – The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes to them his covenant.

Lord God, you have laid out your Word clearly and explicitly for the world to hear, to read, to learn, and to be saved.  Yet, to many it remains a closed book.  The things in it are not comprehensible to them or believable by them.  I pray, Lord, open their ears and hearts that they may hear, understand, believe and so be saved. Use me, Lord God, to bring your Word to them and to make it plain to them so that by your Spirit they may believe.  I pray also, Lord God, continue to make your Word clear to me.  Give me insight, understanding, and most of all faith.  Open my ears that when I read and study your Word I may hear your voice.  Open my heart that when I hear your voice I might believe and live.  You have given your Word to me. You have made it clear to me.  Continue to do this for me that I may remain a child of God for all eternity.  Amen.

Mindset.

Romans 8, Isaiah 55-58

Romans 8:5 – For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

O Holy Spirit, thank you for a new beginning today.  As I remember the day I was baptized, I find new life in the water of my baptism where you drowned my flesh and killed him to death.  Today, I rise up new to live before you as a new person – holy and filled with power from you.  Set my mind on those things that are pleasing to you. Fill my heart and mind with truths that come from you alone so that all my feeling, all my thinking, and all my doing comes from you and is guided by you and your clear truth.  I know, however, that this is going to be a war.  My sinful flesh loves to rise up in me to seek what pleases me instead of what pleases you.  Kill him to death again and again, O Holy Spirit, that I may live for you and you alone, O God.  Today is a new day of your grace.  Help me to live by your Spirit all day long.  Amen.

No longer bound.

Romans 6-7, Isaiah 50-54.

Romans 7:4 – Therefore, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Lord God, this is an amazing truth that you reveal here.  The law no longer holds me captive.  It can no longer threaten me since you died for me, Jesus.  I died there on the cross when you died.  The law no longer has any hold over me.  Lord God, take all fear of the law out of my heart.  It cannot condemn me.  Hell cannot have me.  I belong to you now.  Lord God, remove all guilt and all guilty feelings from me.  That is long gone too.  Anything that the law might hold over my head is gone and dead.  It has no hold on me.  Lord God, take away the pressure of the law to perform.  That’s like to run with a parachute.  You have set me free from the pressure and expectation of the law so that I can run in the path of your commands without any hindrances.  I am free!  Amen.

In Vain?

Romans 5, Isaiah 46-49

Isaiah 49:4 – But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense is with my God.”

Lord God, I don’t know how many times I whisper these words at the end of the day when I seemed to hit wall after wall.  I don’t know how often I have wondered these words when I have poured myself out.  It often feels like much of my effort is a spitting into the wind.  But Lord, you called me to work.  At this time.  In this place.  In this calling.  You set me apart like a polished arrow in your quiver for just the right time.  You will bring from my work the fruit that you desire.  More than that you assure me that none of my work is in vain since your Son rose.  No work done for you and your glory is a spitting into the wind.  Help me to give myself fully to your work because you will not let it be for nothing.  Amen.

God is Able.

Romans 4, Isaiah 43-45

Romans 4:20-21 – He grew strong in his faith… fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

O God, you are able to do all things, yes, to do anything.  You created the heavens and the earth. You called things that were not into existence.  You stretched out the sky and stopped the water at the shoreline.  You even gave Abraham in his old age a son.  You can do anything.  And yet, we can be so dumb; I can be so dumb.  I look to myself as the one who can handle and accomplish things.  I turn to created things as my hope and my confidence instead of you, the one who created all things.  I can be so dumb.  Forgive me.  You are the only One who can do what you promise. You are the only One who can do what you promise.  You are the only One who can create.  Give me a faith like Abraham’s so that I will trust you even though it seems impossible or unlikely.  And when all seems hopeless, remind me that it is not.  You are the God who calls life out of death, who makes things exist that didn’t exist before. You only are God and you alone can do it.  Amen.

Renewed

Romans 3, Isaiah 40-42

Isaiah 40:30-31 – Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men stumble and fall; but they who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

Lord God, this is such a rich and inspiring verse and is so much fuller when I ponder how great and strong you are.  The reason for my renewal, my hope, and my persistence is not because of some inner resilience.  I quickly find my emotional reserves drained dry.  I find my energy flagging pretty quickly.  Everything about me stumbles and falls.  Everything about me gets weak and limps along.  But you, there is no like you.  There is no one else like you who calls out the stars by name and by your strength makes sure none of them goes missing.  There is no one like you who never grows weary or tired.  There is none like you who has understanding and wisdom unlike none other.  Oh God, your strength is my strength and my song; you are my salvation.  Oh, God your strength and your power rises up beneath me and renews me for another week, another day, another hour of service to you. Renew me, O God, and grant me strength to serve you.  Amen.

The Best Way to Live

Proverbs 3:13-26, Psalm 21-23

Proverbs 3:21-22 – “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion; and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.”

Lord God, wisdom is such a wonderful gift and from it comes great blessing and responsibility.  Make me one who pursues it.  Make me one who listens carefully for it.  Make me one who will spend everything to get it.  I need to hear these verses, however, because I am not always seeking to grow in faith and in wisdom.  I am not always eager and willing to keep on working at this.  Make me a student of your Word, learning from and listening to those who would instruct me in your Word.  You have given me pastors and teachers to give me wisdom from you.  Make me a student to listen and to learn.  Be with them as they prepare to share God’s Word with me.  You promise me that when I get wisdom from you that this is the best way for me to live.  From it and from you comes the best way to live.  Amen.

I'm alive!

Romans 2, Isaiah 37-39

Isaiah 38:19 – The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do to this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.

Lord God, Hezekiah sure had some reasons to praise you.  You had delivered him and his whole city by sending your angel to decimate the Assyrian army.  You changed your plans for his life.  You gave him 15 more years after you had just told him that he needed to get his affairs in order.  In dramatic fashion you extended his time on this earth.  It’s not surprising that he praised you after such near death experiences.  Lord God, my life is just as much a gift.  In you and because of you I live and move and have my being.  There may be no near misses on my life, at least, none that I am of which I am aware.  And yet, my life is an amazing, astounding, and dramatic gift of your grace. You, O Lord, keep my light burning. You, Lord, turn my darkness into light.  This day is a gift of your grace.  Help me to live with the joy of Hezekiah, who had a brand new lease on life and burst out with thanks and praise. That’s what today is.  Help me to live like an organ transplant recipient – I’m alive because of your grace.  Help me to live like a car crash survivor – I’m alive because of your protection.  This day and my life is a gift of your grace.  Thank you!  Now, I can make you known to my kids and to many other people in my life.  Amen.

Taunting question.

Romans 1, Isaiah 33-36

Isaiah 36:5 – In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?

Lord God, Sennacherib asks this question because he wanted to destroy the morale and the heart of the people of Israel.  He rightly mocked them for trusting in Egypt. He wrongly mocked them for trusting you.  His question is one meant to taunt the people.  It’s a question that haunts me these days.  In whom do you now trust?  Lord God, I’m sorry.  I don’t trust you with my whole heart.  I hear this question and I realize that I look to so many other things to help me, save me, and to grant me success.  I’m not all in with you, not with my whole heart, my whole mind, and all my strength.  I’m sorry.  O God, capture my whole heart with a trust for you because you are worthy of it.  You are 100% trustworthy.  Your plans are eternal.  They keep all of eternity and all of time and all of space and even all people of all times in their scope.  Your plans are always fulfilled and 100% completed just as you put them down.  You alone have the power to carry out all these plans and to overcome any and all obstacles.  Your love for me, for my family, and for your church is overflowing and generous.  And you only have good in mind for us.  You have all of time in your mind as you rule for me and for all people – yesterday, today, and tomorrow too. You listen to me when I call to you.  Every time.  And in your good time you always answer me with the right answer.  O God, I can count on you.  Help me to trust you with all that I am today.  Amen.

Counterintuitive.

John 20-21, Isaiah 29-32

Isaiah 30:15 – For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel, “In repentance and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Lord God, I’m sorry.  I’m just like the Israelites.  My worship is not always worship coming from my heart.  My work is not done trusting you.  My plans are made without relying on your counsel and blessing.  My heart turns to other places rather than to you.  Forgive me and give me rest in your saving name.  Teach me and create in me a new heart so that I find strength in quietness and trust.  Strength is found in you alone.  Teach me to rely on you in all that I do.  Teach me to trust in you in anything that I plan.  Turn me to you for counsel in all that I contemplate.  Then, trusting in you, my heart will rest.  Amen.

Perfect Peace

John 19:28-42, Isaiah 26-28

Isaiah 26:3-4 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.

Lord God, grant peace to my heart.  Turn my heart and my eyes away from things here and now.  Help me, O God.  I so often turn my thoughts, my gaze, my attention to situations and circumstances all around.  I see the turmoil that happens in our city streets.  I see the trouble that happens down my own street.  I see sin and its consequences wherever I look and it isn’t good.  It’s not good at all. I see it all and it troubles me.  I even fear about things in my own life.  It makes my heart tremble and shake.  Turn my heart back to you.   Keep me, O God, in perfect peace no matter what.  Help me to trust you that you will work all things out in my life for good.  You only can keep me in perfect peace.  You only can keep my heart stayed on you. You only can keep me safe. Do it, I pray.  Turn my heart away from earthly things to you the only one who has all things in his hand.  Amen. 

Rolling Back Sin

John 19:1-27, Isaiah 22-25

Isaiah 25:6 – On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

Lord God, so much in this world is messed up right now.  So much is wrong with this world.  It is full of genocide, murder, hatred and fleeing refugees.  People cowering and hiding from people who want them dead.  It’s not just abroad, it is right here at home too.  On the streets of my own neighborhood people live who are abused, abandoned, marginalized, sick, depressed, poor and destitute.  I see it in my own church and community.  I see it in my own home. So much is wrong with the world.  Things are not as they should be.  God, I know that you grieve about this more than it sorrows me.  You hate all the sin and wickedness in the world; your heart breaks with compassion for those broken by the wickedness of others.  Lord, you promise even now to be a refuge for the poor, a father for the fatherless, a husband to the widow, a refuge for the refugee.  Protect and help them.  And Lord God, I ask you.  Give me a heart like yours; break my heart with what breaks yours.  Keep me from a hard and uncaring heart. And give me hands like yours.  Use me to help those who suffer and struggle, who are sick and oppressed, who are abandoned or forsaken.  I pray, Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit to bring us to this feast that you will prepare for all who believe in you.  I can’t wait for the day when sin will be rolled back and the table will be set for this feast.  Amen.

God Speaks

Proverbs 3:1-12, Psalm 19-20

Psalm 19:10-11 – More to be desired are [God’s Words] than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than honey and dripping of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Lord God, when your mouth opens good always comes out.  When you speak through the rising and setting of the sun, creation speaks of your majesty, your power, and your glory.  When you speak in your Word, you make my heart alive by your living and powerful word. When you speak, you give my light to my eyes and direction for my feet.  Lord, I pray, keep my ears always open and my heart always humble and hungry to accept and believe what you say.  I don’t always like what you say, even though it is always good.  I don’t always like the correction and the direction that you give, but I know that you are only warning me of the eternal cliff that looms down that path.  Keep me always attentive and receptive to your Word.  Continue to work in me a hunger for your Word.  Continue to work in me that I might run in the path of your commands.  Work in me to will and then also to do what pleases you.  Amen.

A Different Kind of Kingdom

John 18, Isaiah 17-21

John 18:36 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.  But my kingdom is not from this world.”

Lord Jesus, you teach me some really important truths as I go about my work today, especially as it applies to your kingdom and the souls of people.  We live in a world where force and might make things right.  We bring people into submission by a powerful argument, a dominant personality, and sometimes even with a show of strength.  But that is not how you behaved here; nor is that how your Word tells me to behave in your kingdom.  This is not how you, the King, ruled.  You gave up all your rights and even your life to win me for your kingdom and then to bring me into it.  I don’t belong here; I am truly a stranger.  I belong to another place, to your kingdom.  Lord, as I live for you today, help me to fight but not with the weapons of this world, but with the gospel of peace as my tool and weapon.  Though it seems weak and meek, it is your power for salvation, to demolish strongholds and to set people free.  Help me to operate and act as a son of the kingdom for I am not of this world anymore than you were.  Amen.

True Unity

John 17, Isaiah 12-16

John 17:11 – Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that that may be one, even as we are one.

Christian unity doesn’t happen around a conference room table.  It happens when the Father keeps and shapes each Christian, giving them the mind of Christ.

Lord God, pondering this verse I see how diverse and disconnected we are.  We are far from unity.  We negotiate a unity which is only skin deep.  We compartmentalize unity into certain parts of our lives and into certain relationships.  We fake a unity just to have a little peace in our lives.  But this is not unity.  We’re posers faking a unity.  Lord God, grant true unity to your people and bring more people into this unity.  Grant us the mind of Christ so that more and more we may have the same unity that you – Father, Son, and Spirit – have.  Give us unity in doctrine and teaching.  Give us unity in mission.  Grant us unity in everything.   We pray deepen our unity more and more until we realize the fullness of this unity in the glory of heaven.  I can’t wait to see what this true unity will be like.  Amen.

Arrogance

John 16:5-33, Isaiah 9-11

Isaiah 9:13 – The people did not inquire of him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts.

Lord God, we can be so arrogant.  I know I can be.  I tend to take primary credit when credit is yours alone.  I even take the blame, when truly the work is yours there too – you have chosen in love to withhold success.  I often fail to humble myself in repentance under your mighty hand.  Forgive me Lord for the pride of my heart.  Forgive me for thinking too highly of my plans, my work, my effort.  The glory is truly yours always.  You work.  You serve.  You forgive.  Yours is the power.  Yours is the wisdom.  Yours is the glory. Yours is the honor. Now and forever.  Help me to honor you in my heart, in my mind, with my strength and my song.  Amen.