Narrow Door

Luke 13, Numbers 34-36

Luke 13:24 – “Strive to enter through the narrow door.  For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Lord Jesus, this is such an important truth.  It is so easy to be tricked and deluded into a false sense of security.  It is so easy to have the veneer of Christianity while hearts are far away.  I can’t see it in other people (their hearts are hidden from me), but I can see the struggle for the narrow door in my own heart. O Lord Jesus, these words hit home.  You warn about people who hung out with you in church and the did the church-people thing.  But you warn, “in that day I will say, “I do not know you.”  Yikes!  Lord Jesus, keep me from this. Lord Jesus, keep me from any sort of self-righteousness.  Deliver me from any self-justification project.  Cut away from my heart and my faith anything that clings to or trusts in anything but you.  Make it clear to me so that I repent of my trust in anything but you.  Make me see how weak and failing my own efforts are in your sight. Teach me to see how foolish I am to look there for any sort of help or salvation.  You are the only One who can and will save me.  Make me boast about you, about your cross, about your empty tomb, about your righteousness.  It is the only thing that will save me. Teach my heart to cling to and trust in you above all things.  Teach me to cling to and trust in you alone.  Amen. 

Rooted.

Proverbs 8:1-11, Psalm 52-55

Psalm 52:8 – But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God forever.

Lord God, more and more I find my footings and set down my roots in you and less and less I set my foundation in this world.  More and more you show me how foolish it is to set down roots in anything temporary.  It’s foolish to trust in people because they will turn on you and at their very best they will still let you down.  It’s foolish to set down roots in property or possessions because they will fade away and at their very best they only give temporary pleasure.  It’s foolish to chase after and to try to hold a kingdom here because it isn’t really mine.  God, more and more I see how foolish it is.  Forgive me for holding on to these things as they were what really mattered.  And, then, dear Father, teach me to set down my roots in your kingdom, a kingdom that will never be toppled and will never be felled.  Teach me to find my footing in your power, your love, and your grace.  Then no one will be able to pull me up by the roots.  No, rooted in you I will never be uprooted.  Your steadfast and faithful love is what holds me fast.  Keep me safe, O God.  Root me in you more and more, O Savior.  Change my heart more and more, O Spirit.  Then I will not fall and I will not be uprooted.  Amen.

Much given. Much asked.

Luke 12:49-59, Numbers 32-33

Luke 12:48 – Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required; and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Lord Jesus, so many things flood my mind when I ponder these words.  I condier all the things that you have given me and all the things with which you have entrusted.  You have both given me my family and entrusted their souls to my care.  You have both given me my church and entrusted their souls to my care.  You have both given me financial resources and entrusted their management to me for your kingdom and glory.  You have both given me knowledge, insight, and understanding and entrusted me with your Word so that souls might be fed, nourished and saved by those words.  You have given me so much. You have entrusted to me people who have eternal value in your sight.  I am filled with awe to consider the gifts and the trust given me.  I am filled with sorrow because I have not managed these gifts well or handled the trust properly.  I have not always provided the love and care that my trust requires.  I have thought more about myself than about those whom you put in my path to love.  I have thought more about my good than their good. I am sorry for my failures to handle the trust given me.  And yet you still give and you still entrust!  I am in awe again!  You love me, forgive me, and entrust again!  Help me to live and work with a new energy to manage well what you’ve given me, to carry out the trust that you have put into my hands, and to do the work.  Help me to live a life worthy of the calling you have given me.  Amen.

Treasured

Luke 12:1-48, Numbers 30-31

Luke 12:7 – Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:32 – Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Lord Jesus, these words fill me with hope and confidence.  When I tend to fear what people say about me or think of me, when they threaten me, you say to me, “Don’t be afraid of those who can’t touch your soul.  You are more valuable to me than many sparrows which are only worth a few pennies. And I count all of them.  Yes, I even number all the hairs of your head.”  When I am afraid of my future and worried about my finances, you say to me, “Don’t be afraid little flock.  I take care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field which are only here for a short time.  I will take care of you.  More than that, dear lamb, your Father has been pleased to give the kingdom.”  Lord Jesus, you have such a way of casting fear from my heart and setting me free to live in confidence and hope.  Let these words and your promises fill me with hope so that I live without fear no matter how desperate or bleak the future looks.  Let these words and your promises fill me with hope so that no matter how great the threats may be, I will live life unbound and unafraid.  Your words have that power to set me free to live, yes really live for you.  I can live with absolute freedom because I am treasured by you.  Amen. 

One Thing

Luke 11:27-54, Numbers 27-29

Luke 11:28 – But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Lord Jesus, you always have a way of setting people straight, even me. That’s what you’re doing in this section of Scripture.  People thought that who they were in this world mattered eternally.  People thought that the traditions that they followed and the life that they lived mattered eternally. They thought that this is what made them blessed.  I find in myself the same things.  I find myself treasuring things here and now.  I find myself valuing things I accomplish and positions I hold.  I find myself boasting about traditions and obedience.  But you corrected me and turn me back. You set me straight.  The blessed life is one where I hear your word and guard it’s truths in my heart.  Your Word is what gives me eyes to see my nature rightly and clearly.  Your Word is what helps me see you, O God, clearly.  Your Word alone is what gives me my identity and helps me see what that identity really is.  Your Word is what guides my footsteps in that identity.  Your Word gives me life.  Your Word gives me eternity.  Lord Jesus, help me to hear and treasure, guard and keep that Word as the one thing that really matters in my life.  It is the one thing that shows and gives me the blessed life.  Amen.

Shameless Prayer

Luke 11:1-36, Numbers 26

Luke 11:8-9 – I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence, he will rise and give him whatever he needs.  And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Father, when you invite and urge me to pray there is no thing that is off the table, nothing about which I cannot speak to you.  You invite and compel to pray openly, boldly, as an open book and open heart to you.  You want me to hold nothing back and hide nothing from you.  And yet I do.  I keep from you parts of my life that I feel are insignificant and too small a thing for you to deal with.  I guard from you those parts of my life of which I am ashamed.  Father, how foolish I am!  You are always more ready to hear than I am to speak. You are always more ready to forgive than I am to confess.  You are always more ready to give than I am to ask.  Father, you can and do do better and more than I can even ask or imagine.  Compel me to pray shamelessly, bodly, openly to you.  You have opened your heart to me; help me to open my heart to you.  Amen.

Roaring like a Lion

Luke 10:25-42, Numbers 23-25

Numbers 24:17 – I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; he shall crush the forehead of Moab and breakdown all the sons of Sheth.

Lord Jesus, you roar like a lion as you rise from your tomb and your might is clearly seen.  The earth shakes, guards run away in terror and womb fall to the ground in fear.  All the earth trembles at your roar and especially those who are not on your side. But, Lord Jesus, you gently speak to me, you call me by name and say, “dear child, don’t be afraid.  Come stand by my side.  I am for you, not against you.  I have conquered all and now I rule all for you!”  Lord Jesus, banish all fear and sadness from my heart.  No enemy can stand against me because you are for me. Fill my heart with hope-filled confidence because you rule.  No thing that you plan or do can ever fail.  Comfort me with your presence and the promise that all this work is never in vain because you, Lord Jesus, have risen from the dead and you roar like a lion.  It will never be for nothing.  Here we go, Lord Jesus.  We’re going to get after this day with a pounce and a roar.  Set me to work today with this confidence and boast.  You’re for me!  Amen.

Resurrected Joy.

Proverbs 7:14-27, Psalm 49-51

Psalm 51:12 – Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Lord Jesus, sin is such a powerful and destructive thing.  Its guilt and punishment is not only damning but it kills us.  That’s why you died, Lord Jesus.  That’s why you lay in the tomb.  That’s why you were crushed and damned by God.  But, sin and death could not and would not hold you down.  You rose from the tomb that first Easter morning.  You were raised from the dead.  Lord Jesus, as we prepare for Easter today and then celebrate it tomorrow, resurrect joy in my soul.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation once again, Lord Jesus.  Sometimes my soul is crushed by the weight of sin un-repented.  Sometimes my soul is crushed by the weight sin unforgotten.  Sometimes my soul is crushed by a self-reliance and self-righteousness that cannot be sustained.  I know it, Lord Jesus, I cannot save myself.  Resurrect joy in my heart and soul.  Let joy be raised up in my soul.  Lift my eyes up to where you are seated at God’s right hand.  There you rule your church; you will defend it, protect it, and shepherd it.  Lift my eyes up to you in whom my true identity and my real life is hidden.  I am yours.  I am your holy child.  I am loved by you.  I am fully and wholly righteous.  Grant me joy to know that I will not always be engaged in this struggle.  You will care for me through this life and then, one day, you will come for me and I will be changed.  Lift my eyes up to see you raised for me and so resurrect joy in my heart.  Amen.

He's judged; the deed is done.

Luke 10:1-24; Numbers 21-22

Luke 10:18 – I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Lord Jesus, this is such an amazing sentence.  It calls to mind so many things.  The disciples had just come back from a mission trip and were bubbling over and up because of what they saw happen because of your work.  And you affirmed them in their joy with these words.  By their preaching and teaching Satan had been defeated and thrown down from his seat of accusation.  Oh, Lord Jesus, such power words of grace have!  The words I hear from your word and the words I share from your word have the power to fell this old enemy.  One little word can fell him!  But more than this, Jesus, I find great joy to see you throw him down from his perch as the accuser by your blood.  That old Devil can accuse me no more because of your blood.  You, Lord Jesus, have thrown him down from his perch and have granted me eternal victory over him.  Oh, Lord Jesus, on this day when darkness reigns and I see you on the cross, dying for me and for the world, help me see what you are truly doing.  You are throwing the devil down out of heaven with power and great might.  He cannot stand against you.  You have crushed his head and dealt him the death blow.  Grant me such a confidence that remembers this truth when he comes to accuse me.  Your blood has released me from his condemnation and accusation.  And, instead, my name is written in heaven by your blood.  Oh, Lord Jesus, today may seem dark and black because we remember what happened to you, but by this dark day heaven is open and Satan is defeated.  What a good Friday this is!  Amen.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Words and Music by Martin Luther Additional Words and Music by Matt Boswell Performed by Matt Boswell On "Messenger Hymns, Vol. 2" (c) 2015 Doxology & Theology Dox & Theo: http://doxologyandtheology.com/2015/06/18/hymn-wednesday-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god/ mp3 download: https://mboswell.bandcamp.com/

Losing means Winning

Luke 9:18-62, Numbers 18-20

Luke 9:24 – For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Lord Jesus, I want to follow you with reckless abandon.  I want to follow you and totally lose myself in you.  But I find it so easy to find my identity in accomplishments and successes, in doing and not doing, in what people say about me.  I find it so easy to find my righteousness in myself instead of in you.  I find it so hard to deny my own desires and given in to the desires of others.  I find it hard to deny my own good in favor of what is good for others.  I find it hard to not to seek my own kingdom’s success rather than your kingdom’s glory.  O, Lord Jesus, I want to follow you and totally lose myself in you because I know that this means winning eternal life.  Teach me, Lord Jesus, to find my identity wholly and only in you alone.  My life is hidden with you in God and when you come back then everyone – including me – will see it.  But for now, let me hide myself in your blood and righteousness; let me hide myself in your works for me. Your righteousness and your blood are my beauty and my glory.  Teach me to put my hand to the plow and seek your kingdom and your glory alone. Lord Jesus, this week, I continue to thank you that you followed your Father’s will with reckless abandon.  You put your hand to the plow and set your face like flint toward Jerusalem where you knew that death was coming.  But that didn’t stop you, Jesus.  You went and you lost your life so that I might have life. Yes, especially and only when you lost your life was eternal life won for me.  Thank you Lord Jesus for your lost life.  It means life eternal for me.  Amen.

In the Gap

Luke 9:1-17, Numbers 16-17

Numbers 16:48 – And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.

Lord God, heavenly Father, when I look at how swiftly you dealt out justice on your people I wonder why you haven’t dealt more strongly with me. You quickly meted out your justice on your people when they stepped out of their positions that you had given them, when they grumbled against what you had done. Dear Father, thank you for your astounding patience with me.  You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love beyond measure.  I have often grumbled and complained, even about my station in life.  I have wanted more.  Yet, in your love and patience, you have not destroyed me.  Thank you for those who stand in the gap like Aaron did for the grumbling Israelites. They pray for me that I may not perish.  Thank you for those who pray for me. Thank you, most of all, dear Jesus for your work.  You truly stood in the gap for me and took the fire of God’s wrath that was reserved for me.  You took what I deserved so that I would received what I don’t deserve.  Instead of fire I get mercy, compassion, and grace in place of grace.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for standing in the gap.  Amen. 

A Visual Reminder

Luke 8, Numbers 14-15

Numbers 15:29 – And it shall be a tassel for you to look and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes.

Lord God, you were wise in the way that you taught your people not just about your commandments, but also about your grace and commandments.  There were visuals all around them.  You had them wear visual reminders as part of their daily clothing so that they would look at them, remember them, and keep their hearts and minds focused.  Lord God, set reminders before me today that I may remember your way and your will.  Set reminders both intentional and accidental in my path so that I will remember and not forget.  Keep me from getting so used to the common visual reminders that I pass them by without even noticing.  Moreover, dear Jesus, set before me the visual reminder of your love for me.  Let your cross not just be that thing that identifies me as a Christia, as something to adorn my walls, as something set up in the center of our church.  Let it be for me a visual reminder of what you have done for me.  Let it be a visual reminder of your amazing love for me.  In addition to the cross, dear Lord, set other reminders before me in creation, in your Word, in my daily living that point me back to you and your mercies.  Help me to remember you and never lose my awe and wonder at your graces to me.  Amen.

Loved and Forgiven

Luke 7:36-50, Numbers 12-13

Luke 7:47 – Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many are forgiven – for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

Lord Jesus, these little account strikes a chord with me because I associate more with Simon than I do with the woman.  I know, I know, I should have the heart of the woman more.  But sometimes, in pride and arrogance, I see myself in a better light than is honest or true.  But, Lord Jesus, your love for me is beyond words. You love me with everlasting and overflowing love.  You loved me like that before I was born, before I had done a single thing whether good or bad.  And even still today, you love me even though I pride I deny the sins of my heart and my life.  This story is meant to lead me to repent of pride.  I get it Jesus.  I’m sorry.  Forgive me for the pride of my heart.  And this week as I follow Jesus into the temple courts, between Jerusalem and Bethany, and finally to Calvary, help me see more deeply how much I am loved.  Help me grasp with this woman how much love and how much forgiveness I really do need.  Help me grasp with this woman how much love and how much forgiveness you really have given.  Then, help me weep tears of joy and gladness because of all that you, dear Savior, have done for me.  For I am, like her, loved and forgiven much.  Amen.

My King.

Proverbs 7:1-13, Psalm 45-48

Psalm 45:4 – In your majesty ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.  May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.

Lord Jesus, this weekend we remember how you came into Jerusalem, humble, meek, riding on a donkey.  On the one hand, it is a picture of might as the crowds praise and acclaim you king.  On the other hand, however, as we follow you we see your weakness as you submit to the will of sinful men.  It is because of this day that I am not afraid of the day when you will come victoriously to bring truth and justice.  You will not tread me under your feet as if I were a grape.  Instead, you will come victoriously to make all things right again.  You will bring truth where there are lies.  You will bring rescue to the afflicted and humiliated.  You will bring justice and righteousness to all.  I long for this day, O Savior.  Come!  Ride on in majesty and make all things right again.  Until that day, dear Savior King, use me and your Word to bring truth where falsehoods and lies exist.  Use me as your hands and feet to bring help and comfort to the afflicted.  Use me as your agent to bring yoru righteousness to the nations so that all may know your saving name, so that none will be crushed in your final coming.  Come, Lord Jesus.  You are my King and I long for your coming.  Amen.

Such a Faith.

Luke 7, Numbers 9-11

Luke 7:9 – When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Lord Jesus, the centurion is right!  I am completely unworthy to have you come to be with me, to come into my life and act directly.  I know more and more clearly how sinful I am.  I see my weaknesses and sinful nature more and more rightly.  How could I dare to ask you to come into my life and act.  But, Lord, I also know that all you need to do is say the word.  In the moment when you speak, all things change.  The servant was healed.  The heavens were created.  When you speak, Lord Jesus, things change.  And, by your grace, you also call me your friend.  You are the God who reigns forever; and you are a friend of mine.  Give me a faith like the centurion to trust you fully and at all times. You are trustworthy.  Help me trust you completely.  Amen.

As you like it.

Luke 6:17-49, Numbers 7-8

Luke 6:31 – And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Lord Jesus, this verse gives me pause.  It leads me to ask the question: How do I want others to treat me?  What do I want them to do to me?  The honest truth is that I want them to treat me like you do.  And you, o God, are patient, long-suffering and slow to anger.  You are kind and compassionate.  You do not pay me back for what I’ve done against you.  Instead you forgive and even forget what I’ve done.  You are faithful and true to every promise you have made.  You are generous and giving only of good things.  You give to me generously, but expect and ask nothing in return.  You confront me about my sin, but you do not condemn me for it. You gently lead me to repentance and forgiveness.  You rebuke and correct me only in love and kindness.  You are at work in my life in ways that I don’t even see. These are, O God, some of the things that you do for me.  Help me deal with other people in this generous, kind, and loving way.  Give me these characteristics in full measure by your Spirit.  Shape me into your likeness.  Give me strength, courage and wisdom to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and to do it always, only in love. By your faithful love for me, compel, strengthen and teach me to love like this.  Amen.

Holy for the Lord.

Luke 6:1-16, Numbers 5-6

Numbers 6:8 – All the days of his separation, he is holy to the LORD.

O God, Father in heaven, you have set me apart for yourself from my mother’s womb.  You chose me and called me to faith.  You loved me and now have called me to serve you today and throughout my life.  You don’t ask me to take the extreme action of Numbers, but you do tell me that my whole life is not for me but for you.  You encourage me through Paul that all I do – whether it is eating or drinking, whatever I do – it’s all for you and your glory. You have set me apart for this that every moment of this day and every day might be for you and about you.  Keep me from seeking my own honor and glory, but yours alone.  Make it obvious that I belong to you.  Amen.

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At your Word.

Luke 5, Numbers 4

Luke 5:5 – And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!  But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Lord Jesus, I feel Peter’s frustration.  I work and I work and for what fruit?  For what fish? For what result?  Sometimes it all seems to be a spitting into the wind.  Lord Jesus, sometimes I just don’t want to do something because it doesn’t seem to be worth the effort or the work because it isn’t working.  But Lord Jesus, because you have said so and because you have commanded me, I will do it. You once spoke and the world came into being.  You once spoke and dead, dry bones came back to life.  Your word still carries with it great power.  It is the power of God for salvation.  Beyond all that, at your mighty fingertips all the power of God dwells.  There not one thing that you cannot do.  You can do it all.  Therefore, Lord Jesus, at your command, I will do it. You cannot fail.  Build up my heart and strengthen me to do the work you have called me to do, even when it seems fruitless.  Strengthen me with the sure hope that you will fail.  And when I work, help me to trust you that you will always do what you will, when you will, and how you will.  And that’s always good.  Amen.

Temptation Answered.

Luke 4, Numbers 2-3

Luke 4:4 – And Jesus answered him, “It is written…”

Lord Jesus, your temptation is so clear and right in front of you to see. It’s easy for me to see your temptation and even the temptations that face other people.  But it is much harder for me to see the temptations that assault me.  Instead of the quick, “It is written,” it takes me time to recognize temptation for what it is.  Lord Jesus, I pray first of all help me to see temptation quickly and clearly for what it is.  Keep me from giving it the time of the day and for letting it occupy my heart and my thoughts for longer than a moment.  Help me to recognize it immediately and then to quickly dismiss it, yes, even to reject it with the clear words of Scripture.  Let this be my response.  Instead, of thinking it through from every angle, sometimes even rationalizing it – as Eve did in the garden – make my first response, “It is written.”  Fill me with your Spirit and your Word to resist and reject every temptation.  I also pray, Lord Jesus.  Be with my family and my friends today in their temptations. Make me a faithful friend to them in their temptation to help them identify temptation, to give them clear words from you in the right way and at the right time.  Temptation grabs us more easily when we are alone.  Use me to keep them from fighting temptation alone.  Use them to keep me from temptation alone.  Lord Jesus help me fight temptation and find a way out from under it and deliver us from the assults of the Evil One.  Amen. 

Why, indeed!?!

Proverbs 6:20-35, Psalm 41-44

Psalm 43:5 – Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Lord God, my soul pants for you as a deer pants for streams of living water.  I am weary and worn.  Doubts race through my mind.  Discoruagement troubles my heart.  It feels at times as if you have become my enemy and have come against me.  But in these moments of reflection I know that this isn’t true.  I know that you, my God and my Father, have all power and might. You created the heavens and the earth and you have power in my life too.  I believe, O heavenly Father, that you know all thigns. In you are hidden all the depths and secrets of wisdom.  In your wisdom and your love, O God, fill my heart and my life with joy and praise.  Bring me out of this dry season in my life.  I will praise you again with shouts of joy.   I will be restored and refreshed once again, O God, because you are my hope and my salvation.  You will not disappoint.  You will not let me down, I know this full well.  Amen.