Example and Instruction

1 Corinthians 10:1-22, 2 Chronicles 25-28

1 Corinthians 10:11 – Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our own instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

Lord God, I learn so much when I read the history of your people. I learn about the tendencies of human nature.  It is such a broken record.  Faithful to one day. Trusting you one day. Falling the next.  I see the same tendency in myself.  If I am not constantly repenting, constantly checking myself against your Word, I find myself wandering away one small step at a time.  Lord God, I beg you.  Do whatever it takes to keep me faithful to you.  Take whatever is harmful.  Give whatever is good.  Do whatever you need to keep me from wandering from you!  I also learn how much you hate sin and rebellion.  You discipline your people when they wander from you. This is a warning for me.  Help me to hear it.  Keep from thinking about these only in terms of the people involved.  Help me to see your nature at work, that you do not tolerate sin and rebellion.  You are a God who hates sin and all who commit it. Help me to hear and heed the warning that you give in the way you discipline your people.  Lord, I also see your faithfulness.  And that is perhaps the most stunning thing of all I learn in the stories of your people.  As faithless as they become, you are always faithful to your promise.  You are not quick to discipline.  You are patient and loving.  You continually call them through the prophets, though they often reject them.  And if or when they return, you always forgive and receive them back with open arms.  Lord God, should I wander from your Word and then, by your Spirit, come to my senses about my sin, remind me then that your arms are also open to me.  Your mercies are new every morning.  Your forgiveness separates my sin from me as far as the east is from the west.  Your grace overflows to me abundantly.  Lord God, keep from missing the example and instruction that the stories of your people give me.  Amen.

Anything Short of Sin

1 Corinthians 8-9, 2 Chronicles 22-24

1 Corinthians 9:12 – Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Lord Jesus, your gospel is so important to me.  The message of your death and resurrection, the message of the full and free forgiveness of sins, the victory of your cross and empty tomb – it is everything to me.  It fills me with hope and peace.  It sets me free from guilt and from the burden of expectations.  It gives me confidence and joy.  It is my everything.  And I want everyone to know it. More than anything, I want everyone to hear it, to believe it, and to live – really live – because of it.  And that’s why I want to give up my rights.  I have the right to do whatever I want.  As long as it is isn’t sin, I can do anything.  But like Paul, I want to give up my rights so that people will hear the gospel.  Paul had the right to get a paycheck from the Corinthians, but he gave up that right so that nothing would get in the way of the gospel.  He was willing and even eager to put up with anything and abdicate all of his rights so that nothing would get in the way of the gospel.  Lord God, more and more, give me the heart of Paul.  Yes, give me your heart so that I will not let my “rights” get in the way of the preaching of the gospel. Lord Jesus, you had the right to demand that all people bow down to you.  But you gave up that right so that you might die for me.  Paul was like you in this.  He gave up his right to demand a paycheck so that he might preach the gospel.  Give me a heart like Paul so that I am willing to die to myself and to my rights.  Give me a heart like Jesus so that I don’t care if people bow to me, but want them to bow to you.  Lord Jesus, your gospel is everything for the world.  Help me to do whatever it takes short of sin to get the gospel to people.  Amen.

Into the Breach

Proverbs 16, Psalm 106

Psalm 106:23 – So he said he would destroy them – if Moses his chosen one had not stood in the breach to turn his wrath away.

Father, this is an amazing verse.  You were ready to wipe your people off the face of the earth.  You were so done with them.  But then Moses, sinful man of God that he was, stepped into the breach and dared to tell you that you couldn’t, yes, that you shouldn’t do this.  And wonder of wonders, you listened! I can’t help but think about Jesus when I read this verse.  Your fierce anger was aimed straight at my heart because of my unfaithfulness and sin.  You were so done with me! But then here comes Jesus to step into the breach, to step between your anger and me, so that I wouldn’t die!  He dared, yes, desired, to step into the breach to take your anger. He didn’t just ask you to stay your anger, not he took your anger and my punishment, so that I wouldn’t die! Help me to sing and dance all day long because of this marvelous truth.  Amen. 

You are Not your Own

1 Corinthians 7, 2 Chronicles 18-20

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – You are not your own, for you were bought at a price.  So honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 7:23 – You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Lord God, this simple truth fills me with joy and sets me free to live for you: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”  What an amazing thing, Lord God, that you would give up your only Son for me that I might belong to you.  His life-blood is the price for me and for my salvation.  He gave up his life so that I might have a life with you now on earth and forever in heaven.  I belong to you.  And now, I get to live out my life for you.  Because I belong to you, Lord God, I am absolutely free to live in a way that honors you.  Lord God, help me to live this way.  Help me to remember that I am yours as I go about my day today.  Help me to live in a way that says, “I am a child of the one true King and I belong to him.” The subjects of the kings always live and act in a way that glorifies the king.  So, Lord, help me to live, act, speak, and even think in a way that honors and glorifies you.  Lord God, help me live in a free way too.  Keep from my heart the burdens and the pressures that others would lay upon me.  The burden and the pressure to be, think, or live in a way that conforms to their idea of Christianity.  Your way and your will is the only one that matters.  I am not a slave of men. I am yours.  I will serve you alone.  Keep my heart from the burdens and pressures that I would place upon myself.  You have removed all burdens and pressure from me by your death on the cross.  You have given me joyful freedom to serve you.  All this because I belong to you!  Lord God, you set me free to live for you in your kingdom.  Now, help me to live for you.  Amen.

Bear with Each Other

1 Corinthians 6, 2 Chronicles 15-17

1 Corinthians 6:7 – Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be defrauded?

Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a complaint against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Proverbs 19:11 – A person’s wisdom yields patience; and it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Lord Jesus, I find these words from you to be hard for me.  When someone wrongs me, I want to get even.  When someone defrauds me and steals from me, I want to get back, at least, what they took.  When someone hurts me, I want to hurt them back.  When someone annoys or offends me, I want to get my pound of flesh.  These are hard words.  I find it really hard to overlook the complaints I have against other people.  I find it really hard to overlook an offense.   This is as hard for me as your word to turn the other cheek.  But Lord, this is how you want me to live, especially with my fellow believers.  This is what you want me to do, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Help me to remember how great your forgiveness for me is.  You should have blasted me off of this earth at the first whiff of rebellion from my heart.  You should have blasted me off this earth at the first offense.  But you put up with me and bear with me, even when my heart is stubborn and refuses to go your way.  You are so gracious. You have forgiven all my sins. You have even forgotten my sins, even though there are not enough books on this earth to contain all the sins which I have committed.  You are so good and so gracious to me.  Fill my heart with the warmth of your love and grace of your forgiveness so that I might be like you to those who wrong me.  Teach me to be like you, to put up with those who offend me and get under my skin.  And, Lord, help me to not just put up with them.  Help me to forgive them and pour out on the grace in place of grace, as you have poured out on me.  Help me to turn the other cheek, to go above and beyond in my love for them that they might know your love in the love I show them.  Help me do this, dear Lord.  They need to know your love just as I need to know your love.  Amen.

Trustworthy

1 Corinthians 4-5, 2 Chronicles 10-14

1 Corinthians 4:2 – Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

Lord God, you have put much into my care.  You have poured many blessings into my life.  Help me, first of all, to remember that these are but a trust from you.  Like a CEO of a company – only better – you have entrusted me with callings to fill and tools to carry out those callings.  Help me to remember that all I have – even my calling – is a gift and a trust from you.  These things, even my callings, it is still all yours.  It belong to you.  Even I belong to you.  Help me to remember that when I go about my life and manage all the things in my life – my time, my money and possessions, my skills and abilities, even my calling.  Help me to remember that I am handling your business, not mine.  Help me to remember that I am managing your affairs, not mine.  Help me to remember that I managing your money, not mine.  Help me to remember that I am managing your time, not mine.  It’s all yours to begin with.  And even when you entrust it to me, it remains yours.  And then, Lord, help me to manage it well.  Help me be a person of integrity and honesty as I handle your affairs and manage your gifts.  Help me to be upright and true.   Keep me honest and true to who you are, true to your Word.  Give me integrity so that I am also true to my word.  Make me faithful and reliable in my callings and in my managing of your gifts.  Lord, it is all yours.  Help me to handle my life and your affairs in a way that honors you most of all.  Amen.

We work; God produces.

1 Corinthians 3, 2 Chronicles 7-9

1 Corinthians 3:6 – I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Lord God, I always want credit for the work that I’ve done.  As a student I wanted to credit for the work I did.  As an employee I want the boss to notice and praise me for the work I did.  Even now, Lord God, I want to be noticed and I want to get credit for the work that I do.  And that may work and may matter in earthly things. It might matter at school.  It might matter at work.  But in your kingdom my work does not matter.  My work is not what gives me salvation.  No, God it is your work that gives me salvation.  It is your Son’s death that saves me. And in your kingdom’s growth, it is not my work that produces.  It is yours.  It is your work by your Spirit.  It is your work in the hearts of peoples lives.  You, O God, are the produces.  You are the one who makes it grow.  But God, this is not to say that my work doesn’t matter.  You give great honor to the work I do in your kingdom.  You take the words I share with people and you use them to produce living, breathing faith.  You take the water of baptism, poured out by people, and use them to give rebirth and renewal to people dead in sins.  You, O God, take the measly work of people like me and you produce salvation.  You, O God, take the feeble efforts of people like me and you grow your church.  So, God, send me out to work today. But, I pray, keep me from a concern for results.  Keep me from counting and keeping track.  Keep me from being concerned about how product of my work. Rather, let me find joy simply in doing your work and let you worry about the results and the production.  Set me free to work without worry about results.  There is no freer way to work!  Give it to me this day, dear Lord.  Amen.

Because of Him.

1 Corinthians 1-2, 2 Chronicles 4-6

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

O God, as I live and walk in this world, it is easy for me to start boasting and bragging.  It’s easy to point to things I’ve accomplished and things that I’ve done. Even the things of faith can become like that.  It’s easy for me to point to things I’ve done – like Bible study and worship – that have brought me to where I am.  But Lord God, you’ve taught me again that it’s all because of you that I am your child.  It is because of you alone that I believe the truths of the Bible.  If it weren’t for the work of your Spirit, I would read the account of Jesus’ death on the cross and it would seem to be absolute foolishness.  I listen to the skeptic’s arguments and they seem to make sense.  But your Spirit has given me faith to believe the foolishness of the gospel.  You, Lord Jesus, are everything to me and for me.  You are wisdom from God.  You are my righteousness, my holiness and my redemption. You are my everything.  So, if I’m going to boast about anything today, Lord Jesus, make it a boast about you.   Teach me to boast about what you have done for me.  Teach me to boast about what you have done in me.  Teach me even to boast about what you have done through me.  It’s all you.  It’s all because of you!  Let this truth give me joy as I boast in you today and this week. Amen.

God is Faithful.

Proverbs 15:25-33, Psalm 104-105

Psalm 105:8, 42-43 – He remembers his covenant, the promise he ordained for a thousand generations. … For he has remembered his holy promise to Abraham his servant.  He brought his people out with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy.

Lord God, you are absolutely faithful.  You made a promise to Abraham. Centuries later, yes even millennia later, you kept that promise.  You knew the road that your people would walk and you guided them and guarded your promise until at just the right time you kept it, sending your Son, born of a virgin, to redeem us all.  It must have seemed strange to them, but now we look back with awe and wonder and see that you took the long view.  You followed through and kept your promise.  God, why would it be any different in my own life?  You have the big and the long view of all things in my life and in your kingdom.  And yet I shake.  Yet, I struggle.  Yet, I worry.  Yet I try to control.  Teach me to remember that you have everything figured out.  Remind me that you are faithfully at work in every generation and in my life for my good and for the growth of your kingdom.  You are always at work.  You have all this figured out.  Team me to trust your faithfulness, your work, and your ways.  Then, I will praise you because you are always true to what you have said and faithful to whom you have made and redeemed.  Amen.

Wisdom Needed

Matthew 28, 2 Chronicles 1-3

2 Chronicles 1:10 – Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?

Lord God, there are many days on which I like a brand new father. I feel like I am holding a new infant in my arms and now this little one depends on me for everything.  But it feels like I’ve never done it before.  I’ve never swaddled the child before.  I’ve never changed a diaper. I’ve never had to calm down a crying infant.  I’ve never had to do any of that before.  Lord God, I often feel like a rookie in my life. I look up and around I don’t know where to go, where to turn, or what to do.  I feel lost and overwhelmed.  Lord God, give me the wisdom and knowledge to do the job to which you have called me.  Give me wisdom to do what you’ve called me to do.  You have called me here and that is no accident. You have called me here on purpose for your purposes. I pray, Lord God, give me the skills, the knowledge, the strength and the wisdom to do this job well. Teach me by your Spirit to do this job to the best of my ability.  Give me wise counselors who can help me to do my job better.  Help me, O God, do this job you have given me to do.  Amen.

Keep Steady.

Matthew 27:27-66, 1 Chronicles 27-29

1 Chronicles 29:18 – O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

Lord God, David knew that his people had a huge task in front of them. The temple that Solomon was going to build was a huge undertaking.  And in this moment the people were all in for it. They were gladly and energetically bringing their offerings, but this energetic and glad momentum for this ministry needed to continue.  Lord God, I know how this works in my own heart and life. I work in spurts and fits.  I go through moments of high energy and excited zeal.  I work hard with great excitement.  I give of myself and I give of my money with great joy.  Nothing holds me back.  But as time passes I become apathetic, lethargic and sometimes even uncaring. I lose energy and my work becomes toil.  I lose zeal and my offerings become a burden.  And I’m not the only one.  Lord God, your church on earth has a huge task – Get the gospel to all the world.  And we’re not going to do it unless you, O God, keep your purposes in front of our hearts and minds forever.  We need you to keep your purpose, your plan, and your will before our eyes daily.  We need you, O Father in heaven, to direct and turn our hearts toward you always and not toward our own selfish gain or self-centered desires.  Lord God, renew in us a heart focused on you and keep your purposes forever in our hearts and minds.  Amen.

Silent

Matthew 27:1-26; 1 Chronicles 24-26

Matthew 27:14 – But he gave them no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Lord Jesus, your silence before Pilate and all your Jewish accusers is stunning.  You were silent when you had every reason to speak up in defense of your innocence. But you didn’t need to defend yourself.  No, you had your Father’s approval already; he was pleased with you.  But more than that, you were silent because you had taken all of my guilt on you and I had actually done it.  You couldn’t speak up because you became guilty of my sins. You couldn’t defend my actions because they were sinful.  And for that reason, Lord Jesus, I give thanks for your silence.  You became completely guilty of all my wrong doing.  You completely took on my sin and were accused of it by my Father in heaven.  And now, I have the Father’s approval.  Now, I stand before God righteous and innocent.   Now, I don’t need to defend myself either.  Now, whether I am guilty of an accusation or innocent, I don’t to respond – as if my good need name depended on it.  I have your approval.  I have your good name.  I have your righteousness.  I have your love.  I can be silently confident of your verdict about me, because your approval is the only approval that matters to me.  Give me a godly confidence in your name, the name that you have given me.  Amen.

Seek

Matthew 26:36-75, 1 Chronicles 21-23

1 Chronicles 22:19 – Now, set your mind and heart to seek the LORD, your God.

Lord God, there are so many things calling for my attention today.  All of them want me to seek them.  Fame, attention, and popularity call for my attention.  It would be easy for me to live out my day chasing for a reputation.  Money, property, and a cushy life calls for my attention.  It would be easy for me to seek out another dime, another dollar, all to have a better life.  There are so many things that would have me chase them.  Lord God, teach me to seek you first and you alone.  Help me to set my heart and mind on you and on you alone.  Turn my thoughts to you, Lord Jesus, where you are seated at the right hand of God.  There my life, my real life, is hidden with you.  Turn my heart to you and to the riches and treasures that I have in you, O Jesus.  Turn me to you that I may seek first you and your righteousness.  Then, all these other things will be added to me as well.  But they won’t matter because I already have the biggest, the best, and the most important.  Help me to do what David called his son, Solomon to do.  Amen.

Beautiful Offering

Matthew 26:1-35, 1 Chronicles 17-20

Matthew 26:16, 18 – For she has done a beautiful thing to me… In pouring out this ointment on me, she has done it to prepare me for my burial.

Lord God, you love the offerings that your people give to you in faith.  It may seem strange to some that I would give offerings to my church, but you love the offerings that come from my cheerful heart.  It may seem strange to some that I would show kindness to the outcast and the alien, but you love the way that I show your love to the world.  You love what I do for you in faith. Take my time this week and use it for your glory.  Take my money and help me to use it in a way that seeks first your kingdom whether I am buying lunch or supporting the poor.  Take my energy this week and use it for you and your purposes, that I may pour myself out for you and not for me.  Take my time this week and help me to use it in a way that honors you and your will.  Take all that I am, all that you’ve given me, all the strength that I posses, and all the time that I have and receive it as a beautiful offering in your sight. Whatever is sin this week, forgive it.  Whatever is sinfully motivated it, cleanse it.  Whatever is good, receive it Lord as an offering, beautiful in your sight.  Amen.

Forever.

Proverbs 15:12-24, Psalm 101-103

Psalm 103:17-18 – But from eternity to eternity the LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear him, and his righteousness toward the grandchildren of those who keep his covenant.

Lord God, I am but a vapor and a breath.  I am but dust and ashes. I am faithless.  My focus lasts but a moment even though I want it to last much longer.  I can’t even finish the Lord’s Prayer without distraction.  But you, Lord, God are faithful to me without ceasing.  Forever is the only way to describe your faithfulness to me.  Your eyes and your ears, yes, even your heart are tuned to me because you love me.  Your love and righteousness are even turned toward my children and whatever grandchildren you may give me.  My ability to love them suffers greatly because of my frailty.  Oh God, I depend on you.  I can’t be and do what you want me to be and do.  Save me.  Forgive me.  Never turn your back on me, I pray.  Stay true to who you are and keep turning to me; and then, keep turning me back to you in repentance all the days of my life. Just as you stay true to who you are, keep turning me back to stay true to you. Amen.

Music video by Chris Tomlin performing Forever. (C) 2014 sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records

Sing.

Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Chronicles 15-16

1 Chronicles 16:9 – Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell of all his wondrous works.

Lord God in heaven there are so many reasons for me to sing.  You have done so many great and magnificent things in my life that I can hardly count.  You have formed and fashioned me just the way you wanted me to be.  You put me in this place at this time with these people and these skills to serve them. You have given me family and friends. You have given me a house and property, even pets and toys, for me to enjoy!  More than that, Lord God, you have done other magnificent things in my life.  You have given me faith, baptism, and instruction in the truths of your Word. You have not left me to fend for my spiritual self in this world.  You have sent a person who baptized me and people who taught me.  You continue to use them to speak your truth into my life. Through your Word, which they speak, your Spirit comes to me and gives life to my soul.  Through your Supper, which you give me often, you restore my soul and lead me to the rest of your forgiveness.  You, Lord God, have done so many magnificent things in my life and this barely begins to mention them all.  Lead me and all those around me to sing of all the wonderful things which you have done for me. Amen.

Single-minded.

Matthew 25:1-30, 1 Chronicles 12-14

1 Chronicles 12:38 – All of these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with full intent to make David king over all Israel.  Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king.

Lord God, you gave your people a single-mindedness and a unity that people dream of.  You rallied an army around your man, David, and gave them all a single-mind to make him king. You gave them a single-mind to align themselves with you and your will to make David king. In all truth, they weren’t just rallying around David, they were rallying around you and your will.  Lord God, I pray, align my will with yours.  Make me want the things that you want.  Help me to set aside my wants and to seek yours instead.  Teach me to seek the things that are of you and of your kingdom.  Give me wisdom to discern what your good and pleasing will is in the different circumstances of this day. Give me a passion to accomplish this.  Align me with your will.  Align the hearts and minds of your people here too.  Give all of us a single-mind to chase down your will and your purposes as we pull together to seek your kingdom and to share the gospel with people.  Align our will with yours. Make us want the things that you want.  Teach us to put aside our own agendas and give us wisdom to know yours and to seek it most of all.  And then gather us together into a body that we might seek your will as a unity.  I pray, Lord God, keep on gathering your people together around your Word that we might have a single mind to do your will.  Amen.

Today, Lord?

Matthew 24, 1 Chronicles 9-11

Matthew 24:34-35 – Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Lord God in heaven, as I read this list of signs that Jesus gave that I might be alert, aware, and especially ready for your coming, I find that all of these things are already happening.  There are signs in the skies and signs on the earth.  I see them all over the place.  There are signs in society and signs among nations.  I see the turbulence among peoples in every news cycle.  There are signs in the church.  I see the antichrist sitting on his throne, claiming that he is lord of God’s Word, tricking people by his false Christianity.  I see love growing cold because of the loveless way by which we treat each other.  It’s all happening.  Today, Lord?  Is today the day that you’ll come back on the clouds?  Is today the day that you’ll come with your angels to gather your children into your arms and to send the wicked into the eternal fires prepared for the devil and his angels? Today, Lord? Your disciples saw and lived these days.  So did our fathers.  So do I.  I pray, Lord Jesus, give me a faith that is living, alert and ready for your coming in whatever instant that coming may be.  Make me ready now. Keep me ready in the dead of night.  Make me ready in the midst of my daily busyness.  Today may be the day, Lord.  You alone know. Make me ready for that day whenever it may be.  Amen. 

Broken-hearted

Matthew 23:13-39, 1 Chronicles 8

Matthew 23:37 – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Jesus, your heart breaks for the hard-hearted, even for those who have rejected you and spurned your love and affection.  You want these people and this city to have salvation so desperately that it breaks your heart when they won’t have it.  You have made every effort to save them, to get the message to them, but they didn’t want to hear it.  They didn’t want your message, your messengers or you.  Lord Jesus, I pray, keep me from pushing back against your message.  Keep me from pushing back against your messengers whom you lovingly continue to send to me.  You have sent messengers for me that I would be gathered into your arms and saved.  Your love and your salvation comes for me with passionate love and compassion.  You do not want me to be damned; no, you want me to be gathered in and kept safe.  Keep me from spurning your message, your messengers, or you.  And then, Lord, give me a heart like yours.  Give me a passionate and compassionate heart for those for whom I am a messenger.  Just as you used prophets in the past to get your message to your people, so you send people like me to my family, to my neighbors, my friends.  Break me heart with what breaks yours that I may be like you toward all whom I meet.  Amen.

Leadership.

Matthew 23:1-12, 1 Chronicles 6-7

Matthew 23:11 – The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Lord Jesus, you see clearly to the heart of the matter and you help your disciples do the same.  He wanted them to learn how to lead the church and how to care for their sheep.  He wanted them to understand that their position was a mercy and a gift, not a place from which to exert power and to lord it over their sheep.  He wanted them to understand that leadership meant service to others and not service from others.  He wanted them to understand that their preaching and teaching was to relieve burdens not to add burdens.  Lord Jesus, help me learn this lesson and learn it well.  Help me to see that having a title and a position of leadership is not what makes me someone.  It is my identity in you that makes me who I am.  It is my righteousness in you that makes me someone.  It is my calling as your child that makes me a somebody.  Help me see that having a position of leadership is a place from which I am to relieve burdens and to serve those who are, by position and calling only, below me.  Make me a servant as I go about my work today.  Make me a servant of all whom I meet today – whether they are rich or poor, lowly or mighty, powerful or weak.  Make me their servant, one who relieves their burdens with your gospel.  Amen.