So Good.

Proverbs 13:1-17, Psalm 84-87

Psalm 84:10 – Better a day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in the tents of the wicked.

O God, there is no place I would rather be.  The way of the wicked may seem good in the moment, but that’s all the longer that the pleasure lasts.  The way of the wicked may seem good during this life, but that’s all the longer that their path might flourish.  It won’t last.  In fact, you make it clear that the wicked and unbelieving will perish forever.  But with you – that’s where I want to be.  You shield me with your power and protection, shielding me from the fiery darts of the Evil One and even directing all the evil intents of other people for my good and the good of your church.  You daily pour out your blessings on me giving me all that I need, even giving me Jesus and the full forgiveness of all my sin.  You give me the victory over all things through baptism, through faith in the resurrection of your Son. I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me that much.  O God, it is so good to be with you. I’ll open the door to your house any day.  Just let me be near you.  Amen. 

The Extra Mile

Matthew 5:33-48, 1 Kings 6-7

Matthew 5:41 – And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Lord Jesus, give me this kind of above and beyond kind of love.  Give me a perfect heart of love like yours.  I ask this because it is so hard for me to love like this.  It is hard for me to take abuse, verbal or physical, and then take the next step and show them above and beyond love. It is hard for me to grasp the words of Paul to the Corinthians, “Why not rather be wronged?”  This kind of love is hard.  It’s hard to keep my mouth shut.  It’s hard to keep my heart full of love.  It’s hard to act in a loving way when my heart is so corrupt.  Lord Jesus, first forgive me and cleanse me by your Spirit. Then, pour out your Spirit on me generously so that I might go the extra mile and show love to those who mistreat and abuse me whether with their words or actions.  Help me to show this above and beyond kind of love.  You’ve shown it to me.  You went further than the extra mile. You went the cross only because of your love.  By your love for me inspire me to love like this, to go the extra mile.  Amen.

Wisdom.

Matthew 5:1-32, 1 Kings 3-5

1 Kings 3:7-9 – 7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Lord God, I find myself in the same shoes as Solomon though I am hardly new at my calling.  I find myself as lost and as helpless as I was when I first took up my calling.  I find myself seeking as much wisdom, understanding, and insight now as when I first began.  In fact, I feel as though I know less now than when I first began.  Give me the ability to do my job well.  You have called me to it this calling (to pastor, to husband, to father, to be a friend, a neighbor, a counselor, etc.).  You have put me here and it was not an accident.  You have called me to this vocation and it was no purpose.  Give me the skills and the understanding that you want me to have so that I may do it well. Grant me wisdom from Spirit so that I might be able to take up these tasks ably and proficiently.  Give me wisdom and skill to do this work.  I can’t do it without you.  Amen.

Victory

Matthew 4, 1 Kings 1-2

Matthew 4:11 – Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Lord Jesus, the devil cannot stand against you.  The devil cannot stand against the Word of God. All it took was a word from you and victory came.  All it took was a word from you and he had to depart.  There is no rebuttal that he can make. There is no response.  He must be silent and he must depart from before the Word.  Lord Jesus, this reinforces for me the need and necessity to be constantly plugged into you Word so that I can know and identify the lies and temptations of the devil.  Your Word also gives me a rebuttal so that I might put him in his place and send him packing with a firm rebuke from your Word.  Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit on me through your Word. Pour him out on me so that I might have a response, so that I might have the strength to resist his temptation.  Holy Spirit, help me to remember the truths of the Bible so that I might wield them as a weapon against the devil.  And Lord, when he comes with temptations large and small, by your Word and by your power, send him packing.  Send him away from me, Lord Jesus.  Deliver me from the Evil One.  Stand by me because I cannot resist him without you.  Amen.

Great Mercy

Matthew 2-3, 2 Samuel 24

2 Samuel 24:14 – Then David said to God, “I am in great distress.  Let us fall into the hand of the LORD for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

Lord God, I’m glad to be in your hands whatever those hands may bring.  Creation doesn’t care about me. I’m just part of its cycle.  I’m just something to be conqueror.  I’m just something to be used.  Creation doesn’t care about me.  People are about the same.  I think about the way the way that I parent my children.  Even my best moments of discipline fall short of the loving and merciful discipline you.  I don’t always achieve the desired result of discipline.  That’s why David made a good choice here.  To be under the curse of creation is no place to be.  To be under the scourge of men is no good either.  But to be under your discipline, Lord, is a good place to be.  It may be painful.  It may hurt my body or even my spirit.  But you, Lord, always do the right thing with the right heart.  You discipline me so that I may share in your holiness.  You chisel me with your Word that I might be formed according to your likeness.  AND you show perfect mercy.  You see my suffering under your hand and you delight to show mercy and kindness to me.  You pulled back your hand and showed mercy to him and to all Israel.  You truly do hate to see your people hurt.  Lord, discipline me but only in mercy.  Lord, discipline me but don’t punish me.  I can’t handle the hell I deserve. Teach me, instruct me, that I might be conformed to your likeness, that I might be like you through and through.  Amen.

From sinners for sinners.

Matthew 1, 2 Samuel 21-23

Matthew 1:21 – She will bear a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Lord Jesus, as I read through your family tree it is shocking who gets to make a claim on you.  Your family tree is full of sinners, flagrant sinners, public sinners, secret sinners.  Sometimes the sins are downright despicable.  It’s shocking really.  But you’re showing me a vital truth about your coming into this world.  You came from a family tree of sinners, though you were thoroughly without sin.  You came from this family tree of sinners and completely associated yourself with us and our sin.  You so took on the guilt and shame of my sin that God punished you for it.   You came from a family of sinners to save sinners like me.  This is so comforting to me in so many ways.  This means that you understand the struggles that I have with temptation.  Though you did not sin, you certainly struggled with temptation.  You understand the frailties of my human flesh. You understand what I struggle with so that you can help me.  More than that you fought the frailities of the human flesh and you overcame!  You, Lord Jesus, rose from the dead.  More than that you overcame every temptation of the Devil to save me!  You beat temptation because I cannot and do not.  And so through your victory I have victory.  Lord Jesus, I am in awe that you would share my humanity and take my sin so that I might have victory.  I have no sin because you have taken all of mine. Amen. 

Justice for the Oppressed

Proverbs 12:19-28, Psalms 81-83

Psalm 82:1 – God has taken his place in the divine assembly; he judges among the gods.

Lord God, I look around and there is so much injustice and inequality all around.  The poor and the homeless are pushed under the carpet as quickly as possible.  The helpless have precious few people to speak for them and advocate for their proper care and treatment.  Justice is perverted for a bribe or a favor.  Leaders and officials sometimes look the other way.  We still haven’t stopped treated each other with prejudice whether it is racial prejudice, social prejudice, or any other kind of lovelessness.  It’s bad God!  You know. Rise up, Lord!  Defend those who cannot defend themselves.  Provide a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Send advocates to those who have no one to advocate for them.  Rise up, Lord, and help the helpless. Be a Father for the fatherless and a Husband for the widows.  Be a Defender for the defenseless and and Advocate for the voiceless.  Use me, Lord, as you see fit to bring your help, healing and justice to this broken world.  Amen.

Get "Do Something" on iTunes HERE: http://smarturl.it/iTunesITLDeluxe?IQID=yt Lyric video by Matthew West performing Do Something. (C) 2014 Sparrow Records

No hindrance.

Acts 28, 2 Samuel 19:9 – 20:26

Acts 28:30-31 – He lived there… proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the LORD Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

O God, in heaven, it would have been easy for Paul to get discouraged under house arrest.  It would have been easy for him to mope around.  But he didn’t.  He made the best of the life that you, God, had given him and went about business as usual – at least, as usual as it could be.  Lord God, I’m thankful for the freedom that I have to share the Word.  I am free to go about anywhere to preach and teach the gospel.  There is no one holding me back or stopping me.  I’m thankful for the callings you’ve given me in which I can share your word.  I can share it with my wife and my kids.  I can share it with people at my church.  I can share with the people with whom I work.  I can share it with people in my community and neighborhood.  God, I ask that you would open doors for the gospel with all people who live in my circles of influence.  Satan wants to destroy the gospel and he will do anything to hinder the message.  Father, destroy his evil work.  And send forth your gospel to rescue souls from his grip.  Open up doors and hears for the gospel so that nothing will get in the way.  Amen.

Absolute Trust.

Acts 27, 2 Samuel 16:1 – 19:8

2 Samuel 15:25-26 – Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city.  If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.  But if he says, “I have no pleasure in you,” behold, here I am, let him do whatever seems good to him.

Father, I see why you love David’s heart so much.  I see why you call him a man after your own heart.  When he could have rallied the troops and priests to keep his hold on Jerusalem, David simply and clearly trusted you.  He knew that your will was best and since he didn’t know what that will was, he was going to wait it out to see what you would do.  What trust to simply say that your will is best!  Grant me such a faith as this.  I confess, Lord, that my heart is not like David’s though I would like it to be.  I worry.  I stress.  I grow anxious. I don’t just ride the waves of life with a confident trust in you.  Instead, I try to take things into my control.  Instead, I try to bend the wind and the waves to my will.  Lord, forgive me and grant me a trust like David’s to simply calm my heart while the wind howls and the waves crash, to simply trust your will and your power.  You know what you’re doing and you can carry out your will.  You do it every time.  Help me to trust you.  Amen.

Outcasts No More

Acts 25:23-27, Acts 26, 2 Samuel 14-15

2 Samuel 14:14 – But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.

Lord God, this is such a comforting word.  This promise and the full realization of what it means brings me great hope.  I was banished from your sight as Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden.  I was separated from you and was lost for eternity, but you devised ways to bring the banished one home.  You sent your own Son and gave him up for me, yes for all people, so that we would not be banished forever. You gave him up so that I might come home, so that I would be an outcast no more.  What an amazing comfort things brings my soul!  This is also a great reminder for me as I think about caring for people.  You want me to do what I can, to do what is in my power, so that people are not outcasts not from me, not from the circles I run in – like my church family.  You want me to do what I can so that people do not remain outcasts from you.  Help me to be creative, energetic, aggressive, and loving to bring back the outcasts, to do what is in my power to reconcile and to bring peace where once there was hostility.  That is what you wanted David to do.  That is also what you want me to do.  Help me to work with all the strength you provide so that they will be outcasts no more.  Amen.

Bold Prayer and Worship-filled Acceptance

Acts 25:1-22, 2 Samuel 12-13

2 Samuel 12:16 and 20 – David therefore sought God on behalf of the child.  And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground … Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes.  And he went into the house of the LORD and worshipped.

Oh God, I long for a faith like David’s.  I long for a heart like his.  I can see his struggles and his sins.  They are as plain as daylight. But when he is confronted with his sin, he doesn’t hem and haw about it nor does he push back.  David simply and clearly confesses his sin; and you, God, do what you always do – and what I can always expect you to do – you forgave the guilt of his sin. And when David is confronted with the consequences of his sin, he first prays with all seriousness and boldness – even though you had already declared that this would happen – that you would change your mind.  And then, when you did it, when your decision was final, David rose up and with humble acceptance he worshipped you.  Lord God, you are 100% merciful, gracious, powerful and wise.  And you tell me that my prayers are effective, that they make a difference!  Teach me to pray with boldness, confidence, even faith-filled beligerance.  Teach me to pray without giving up. Teach me to beg and cry out to you because you want me to, because you invite me to, because my prayers matter to you and they are powerful.  Teach me to pray with 100% boldness. And then, when it becomes clear what your decision and your action is, teach me to rise up from my prayers with humble acceptance and joyful worship.  Teach me to accept your action knowing that you are working all things for the eternal good of all people everywhere. You know what you’re doing!  And what you’re doing is good.  So teach me to end my prayers and live my life in humble worship, adoration and praise for all that you do.  Amen.    

Clear conscience.

Acts 24, 2 Samuel 8-11

Acts 24:16 – So, I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and man.

Lord God, the standard that Paul sets by his confession and example is high and the expectation is clear.  You want me to keep my conscience clear of offense before God and man.  I often think, O God, of how my action, my works, or even my thoughts would be a stench to you.  But many times I don’t even think about how a particular action or decision might offend another human being.  But Paul understood that and worked toward keeping his conscience clear before God and man.  Paul entered the temple to honor you and he was going to do his best not to offend the Jews who were also there.  My life is a tightrope lived between love for you and my neighbor.  Love for you is always first, but that does not mean that love for my neighbor his absent or neglected.  Forgive me for living in a way that offends you or my neighbor.  And help me, more and more every day, to take them into account when I live my life. I don’t live in a vacuum where my actions only affect me and you.  Teach me and help me to live in love for you and for them.  Amen.

Listen.

Proverbs 12:1-18, Psalm 79-80

Proverbs 18:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Lord God, you alone are the source of true wisdom.  Your Word is more than sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training for righteousness so that I might be wise and able for every good work that you place in front of me.  Fill me with your Word so that I might be wise.  Through that word, guide the thoughts of my mind by the wisdom of your Word.  Guide the steps of my feet by the opportunities you give and the roadblocks you construct. Send wise counselors who not only know me and my situation, but more importantly who know you and your Word.  Send wise advisors who have insight into my life and into your kingdom.  And then, Lord, open my ears to hear them, so listen and to learn.  Keep me from shutting out the wisdom of those who know me and know my life.  It’s good to listen and learn.  Amen.

Who am I?

Acts 22:30 – 23:35, 2 Samuel 5-7

2 Samuel 7:18 – Then King David went in and said, “Who am I LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?”

Lord God, as I ponder who I am, I see more clearly than ever that I am but dust and ashes in your sight.  I am but a spec.  More than that, I am sinful through and through.  You should just cast me to the side, and yet you don’t.  You don’t consider me a spec.  You don’t treat me as my sins deserve.  Instead, Lord God, you reveal your word and your will to me.  Instead, Lord God, you cleanse me of all my sins and call me yours!  And even more than that, you have made astounding promises about my future.  You are working in my life to provide for me an astounding future.  You have plans for me, even if I don’t know exactly what those plans are.  Just to know that you care enough about me to have plans for my future is so gracious! This is amazing Lord God!  That would you speak to me in your Word.  That you would save me by your Son.  That would you plan out my days, each one of them!  Thank you for your amazing grace!  Amen.

God owes us nothing, but gives us everything.

Who Am I by Casting Crowns The bible verse at the end is incorrect! Wow...I feel bad. It's actually Psalm 143:5.

God's Anointed.

Acts 21:37 – 22:29, 2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel 1:14 – David said to him, “How is that you were not afraid to put our hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”

Lord God, David sets such a good example for me. He could have done a happy dance and celebrated at the news of Saul’s demise.  He could have rewarded the messenger. Instead he rebukes him for the message and for his part in the king’s death.  This was not a time for joy, but for lament.  Lord give me such a heart for my leaders in my city, in my state, and in my government.  Even when I disagree with them, even when some of their decisions are immoral and ungodly – as some of Saul’s actions were – you have put these men and women over me as authorities and, truthfully, as gifts from you for the preservation of my life and the good order of our country.  Without a stable government we wouldn’t be able to live the way that we do.  And yet, we have a fairly stable government. We are able to transact business and buy the food and goods that we need to live a thriving life.  We are able to live in relative peace and security. I don’t wake up in terror or sleep with one eye open just in case.  Such are some of the many gifts I have because of the government and the leaders that you have placed over me.  I pray, Lord God, also give my leaders wisdom.  Protect them.  And guide them so their decisions reflect your will in this world.  And when their actions are godless, turn all their actions for good and the salvation of souls. They are your leaders.  Help me to honor them in all that I do, say, and even pray, dear Lord.  Amen.

Strength in and from the LORD.

Acts 21:1-36, 1 Samuel 30-31

1 Samuel 30:6 – And David was greatly disturbed for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Lord God, I’m pretty sure I know what I do in a situation like this.  I think I’d fall apart!  If the people I lead were talking about stoning me and my family along with all I own had been taken from me, I think I’d get real bitter and upset real fast.  Either that or I’d get angry.  I’d get angry at my followers for treating me so unjustly.  I’d get angry at you for letting this happen.  But that’s not what David did.  David turned to you and found strength in you. David almost constantly seems to have his eyes on you, whether it is for vengeance, for wisdom, or for strength – David leans on you.  It’s no wonder that he is a man after your own heart.  Lord, when things are falling apart around me, help me to hold it together with the simple and clear truth that you are my God and my Savior.  You are working and you are ruling and you are great and you are gracious and you are merciful.  I don’t have to hold it all together because you are and you will.  And even if it does fall apart, you’re working in that too.  Teach me to pray first and act second.  Help me remember to take a moment before reaction and then action in prayer and meditation to take in a deep breath of your grace and a reminder of your power so that in all my actions I am trusting you for strength.  Amen.

I am trusting you, Lord Jesus, 
Trusting only you,
Trusting you for full salvation, 
Free and true.

I am trusting you for pardon; 
At your feet I bow,
For your grace and tender mercy
Trusting now.

I am trusting you for cleansing
In the crimson flood,
Trusting you who made me holy
By your blood.

I am trusting you to guide me; 
You alone shall lead,
Ev'ry day and hour supplying
All my need.

I am trusting you for power; 
You can never fail.
Words which you yourself shall give me
Must prevail.

I am trusting you, Lord Jesus; 
Never let me fall.
I am trusting you forever
And for all

Blessed Way of Life

Acts 20:13-38, 1 Samuel 26-29

Acts 20:35 – In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the works of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Lord God, heavenly father, change the whole focus of my life and existence to you and to other people.  It is a much more blessed, contented and joyful way to live.  When I live for me and what pleases me, I find myself always a little empty and unsatisfied.  But when reorient myself and realign myself, when I reorient myself to you and others, I am full and ready to be poured out. I find myself contented with what you have given me because I want to give it away.  I find great joy in being poured out.  Lord, keep me from seeking to satisfy myself and my wants.  Forgive me from doing it.  Help me, O Spirit, to reorient my life toward you and my neighbor.  Grant me what I need so that I may pour myself out especially for those who are weak and ailing.  Make me weak with the weak; make me sad with the mourning.  Make me poor with the poor, and broken with the broken-hearted.  Fill my heart with compassion and my life with what they need so that I may help the weak with it.  Amen.

Justice is His

Acts 20:1-12, 1 Samuel 24-25

1 Samuel 24:12 – May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.

Lord God, when people are against me it is really easy to forget that justice is yours.  David could have very easily forgotten that. Saul was actively pursuing him and trying to kill him as if he were his enemy.  And David had him in his grasp and could have ended it and ended Saul right then and there.  But David refused because Saul was his King and because God was his god.  David knew that justice was in God’s hand even though he had the means of so-called justice in his grasp.  That’s so hard to wrap my head around.  When someone throws a spear at me, it’s really easy for me to pick it up and throw it back.  But David just dodged the spear and kept on playing his spear.  But Lord, David had a bigger picture in mind. He wasn’t so concerned about Saul who was hunting him down. David had his eyes on a bigger king, a king who truly treasured him; David had his eyes on you.  Lord, give me eyes only for you.  Give me a heart only for you.  When people throw spears at me, help me to remember that you treasure me and love me.   Help me to remember that you will get justice in some way.  It is not my place to throw spears and to get justice.  You will handle it.  Give me eyes and heart only for you so that I trust you to bring justice where justice is needed.  Keep my hand from throwing spears and trying to get even.  Give me a forgiving heart to all who would hurt me.  Give me a trusting heart to rest in you even when others are throwing spears.  Turn my mind from the hurt they have caused me to the joy that you have given me through your enduring love.  Give me eyes and heart only for you.  Amen.

God's patience

Proverbs 11:24-31, Psalm 78

Psalm 78:38-39 – Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger after and did not stir up all his wrath.  He remembered that they were but flesh, and a wind that passes and comes not again.

Lord God, there is a terrible cycle in human history, in the church, and even in me.  You do amazing and gracious things.  You do miracles.  You send manna.  You send quail.  You send speedy rescue.  And then… then I turn aside.  I see it nearly every day.  I keep doing the things I shouldn’t.  Will I ever learn?  Oh, but God you are merciful.  You should wipe me out with swift justice.  But you don’t.  You don’t unleash your justice on me. Instead, o God, you are patient with me.  Instead, o Father, you gave your only Son to bear my punishment.  Instead, o Spirit, you keep coming to convict, convince and restore.  You know my weakness and my frailty, o God, and you deal with me accordingly.  How great is your mercy!  Amen.

Mighty Power

Acts 19, 1 Samuel 21-23

Acts 19:20 – So the word of God continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Lord God, I see your Word do some mighty things.  It spread like a wildfire through your church and wherever your church went.  We see people changed.  Magic and sorcery abandoned.  Demons cast out. Gentiles and Jews.  Your Word accomplished all this and grew in force because more and more people were hearing it and were then sharing it.  Your Word, O God, has not changed in its character or its power.  It is the same as it has always been.  It always has the same reaction.  It is either loved or hated, believed or rejected.  People are hardened by it or hardened to it.  Lord, keep from hardening myself to it and resisting the work of your Holy Spirit.  There are times when I don’t really want to receive in repentance and faith what your Word says.  Keep me from hardening myself to it.  Soften me by your Word to your Word that I might grow in your grace and power.  Then, Lord, also keep your Word right on the tip of my tongue.  Make it like a fire in my bones so that I simply do not want to hold it back.  Set me on fire to share your Word.  In this way, Lord, by changing me and by changing others through your mighty word, grow your church.  Send out your Word like a wildfire that more may hear and believe.  Amen.