The Beauty of Life's Seasons

1 Timothy 1-2, Ecclesiastes 1-3

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Lord God, help me to see things from your perspective so that I can see your perfection.  But that’s so hard from me to grasp.  It’s so hard for me to enjoy.  It is hard for me to see the beauty of the life you are unfolding.  It is impossible for me to find out all that you have done for me from beginning to the end.  But this is a problem with my perspective.  I can’t climb up to you where you are to see things from your point of view.  I can’t get into your head to fully grasp the heights and depths of your plans for me.  Lord God, help me to trust you and to see things from your perspective.  I know that I won’t fully grasp this.  It is too wonderful for me to know.  And yet, if you will just help me to ride the wave of the life that you give, if you will just teach me to trust your plans and your working in my life, then I will see and rejoice in the perfect path that you have laid out for me.  Help me to ride the wave of life and enjoy the beauty of each season in my life, the life that you have given to me.  Amen.

When we see things from God’s perspective, then we can see God’s perfection.

Too Wonderful

2 Thessalonians 2-3, Job 39-42

Job 42:3 – Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.

Lord God, your ways are not my ways, your thoughts are not my thoughts.  They are higher from me than the heavens are above the earth.  But I wish they were closer!  I see things happening in my life that I don’t get.  I experience things in my life that I don’t know.  I find myself grumbling against the circumstances and so even against you for what you’re giving in my life.  I’m talking like a donkey.  I don’t know what I’m talking about.  Forgive me.  Your ways and your plans and your works are always good.  They have always been; your track record proves it.  They always will be.  Teach me to be content and joyful no matter what the day brings. Give me joy and content to say with Job as his story began in this book – The Lord gave and the Lord took away; may the name of the Lord be praised.  Teach me to praise you, even in the storm.  Amen.

Always Praying

2 Thessalonians 1, Job 38

2 Thessalonians 1:11 – To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worth of his calling and may fulfill ever resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.

Lord God, my prayer list is long and it keeps on growing as I meet people and know their needs.  Lord, this is my prayer for them today.  Wash their sins away and make them confident of your grace, mercy and love.  Help them to grow in faith and in godly living.  Help them to make your Word – the hearing of it, the meditating on it, the applying of it – a non-negotiable part of not just their weekly lives but their daily and hourly lives.  Without your work in them they won’t make it.  Lord, thank you also for all those who mention my name and pray for me at your throne.  Thank you for those who beg you that God would save me, give me strength, give me wisdom, and know your love.  I don’t know all those who pray for me, but I am thankful for their prayers.  Most of all, Lord, I pray that you would keep on working in my life just as you do in theirs that we all would remain faithful to the end of our days and live with you in heaven for all eternity.  Amen.

More and More

1 Thessalonians 4-5, Job 34-37

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Lord God, these words from Paul are a call to me to keep on growing, to keep on working on my following of Jesus, to keep on listening, to keep on studying, to keep on wrestling, to keep on meditating, to keep on – and more and more all the time. It’s easy to get tired and stagnant in my life as a follower of Jesus.  It’s easy to get content and complacent in my life as a cross-bearer.  It’s easy to be plateau and be okay with that. Forgive me for my sinful complacency and work in me a healthy discontent with where I am in my walk of faith. Keep me from being okay with what seem to be little, bothersome sins.  Keep me from being okay with “good enough” or “the ole college try.”  Work in me a healthy discontent and spur me on by your Word and by your Spirit to learn how to walk and please God more and more.  And then, don’t just teach me what to do, but spur me on by your Gospel to do it, to actually live it out, more and more.  Amen.

God at Work

1 Thessalonians 2-3, Job 32-33

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – We thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Lord God, it is really easy for me to get discouraged as a Christian because I tell people and I tell them again.  And so often it seems that it’s not working.  So often I pay attention to all the places where faith isn’t happening and growth isn’t happening.  Lord God, these words lead me to pause and give thanks for all the ways and for all the places where your Word is working, all the places where I can see your hand at work.  I am thankful for the word that I share with people – and they listen!  They gladly hear your Word from my lips and they listen eagerly and gladly.  I am thankful Lord for the transformation that you are working in their hearts and lives. You are keeping your people in the faith and, by your Spirit, you are transforming them more and more by the word that comes from my lips.  Lord, I am thankful for every chance that you give me to pour your Word into people, whether they listen or not. I am so thankful for the opportunities to explain, teach, correct, and encourage whether to many or to just a few.  Lord, I am most thankful for the resurrection power of your Word, for the transforming nature of your Word, and for the call of the Gospel that goes out from me and from every Christian. You truly are at work through your Word.  Thank you.  Amen.

Find Rest

Proverbs 21:1-22, Psalm 114-116

Psalm 116:7-8 – Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, Lord, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

O Lord God, how good you are!  Yet, how frantic and frazzled I am. Too many days I run around like Chicken Little, acting as if the sky has been falling.  Too many days I act as if my world is coming to an end.  Too often I make mountains out of moll hills. Bring my heart, O God, back to its resting place.  You have been good to me, more than I know.  But I do know much of it. You have given your Son for me and even to me to rescue me from the one who holds the power of death, to dry my tears.  You have poured out your Spirit on me and placed in him to keep my feet from stumbling and to strengthen my weary heart.  You have given me family and friends to walk with me and to support me in my faith.  I am not alone either in my life or in my faith.  More than that.  I know that in your hands, O God, are all things.  The earth is yours, O Lord, the world and all who live in it. You founded it upon the seas.  This is all yours.  And I am too.  Bring my heart back to its resting place that frantic and frenzied might be replaced with hopeful faith, that my “Chicken Little” heart might rest its weary head on your chest.  My rest, O God, is in you.  Amen.

Life Changing

1 Thessalonians 1, Job 29-31

1 Thessalonians 1:5 – Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Lord God, I am so thankful for the way that your gospel is working in my life, in the life of my family members, and in the life of people all around the world.  I love to hear the reports from our missionaries all around the world and the people who are believing in you is astounding.  I am so thankful. I am so thankful for the faith that you’ve worked in my family.  I am so thankful to hear their Spirit-worked expressions and confessions of faith.  It gives me joy to hear their faith. I am so thankful for the opportunities, Lord, that you give me every day to share my faith.  Use my witness and your gospel to come powerfully to the hearts and lives of the people to whom I witness.  Thank you, Lord, most of all for coming to me through the gospel. It’s never been fancy or flashy.  But your gospel came with power and the Holy Spirit and changed my heart and so also my life.  Lord God, I pray keep coming to me through the gospel to transform me into your likeness every single day.  Amen.

Hidden Identity

Colossians 3-4, Job 25-28

Colossians 3:3 – For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Father in heaven, I live like a stranger here on earth. This is not where I belong.  But sometimes I forget that; I forget who I am.  I forget that as I live my life.  I get so caught up in living life here and making a home here.  It feels and seems often so permanent to me.  I forget that it is but a campground and soon I’ll be going home. I forget that when I live my life.  I let words come out of my mouth that don’t belong on the lips of one of your children. I behave in ways that are not fitting not fitting for an heir of heaven.  I wonder, “If people know me, do know that I belong to you? That I follow you?”  Or do they see me as just another inhabitant and citizen of this planet.  Lord God, by your grace who I am – who I really am – is hidden.  I have been bought by you and I belong to you and your kingdom. One day, I will be coming home to live with you.  I am forgiven and clean.  As I live for you today help me make this hidden truth known as I speak, live, act and do.  I am truly yours. Heaven is truly my home.  Help me to live as an heir of heaven.  Amen.

Hold it together, Lord.

Colossians 1:1-15, Colossians 2, Job 22-24

Colossians 1:17 – and he is before all things and in him all things hold together.

Lord God, sometimes I feel like I have to be the one to keep it together, like I’ve got to be the glue holding my family together, like I’ve got to be the connecting piece keeping the church together.  I often feel the pressure to keep things moving and to keep things rolling.  I often feel the burden of handling things.  Lord Jesus, this isn’t mine to handle or my burden to carry.  You’ve been things longer; actually, you’ve been doing this for all eternity.  You’ve been doing this longer than I’ve even been alive.  In fact, you existed before there was a “here”.  And through all these years, you’ve handled everything and you’ve always had it under control.  Your Word declares that you are the one who holds it all together.  Lord Jesus, you can handle whatever I or anything else in all creation throws at you.  You will hold it all together; that’s who you are and that’s what you do.  You will care for my family, my church, my community.  You have been and you will. Help me to trust you more.  Grant peace and rest to my soul because you have this handled. Amen.

My Heart Yearns, Even Faints

Colossians 1:1-14, Job 19-21

Job 19:25-27 – For I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see with my own eyes, I and not another.  My heart faints within me.

Lord God, my heart doesn’t yearn within me today for my own sake, at least not today and not right now.  I’m enjoying the days that you’re giving me. I’m enjoying my family, my work and the gifts that you’ve me.  I am very content and thankful. Thank you for your gifts.  Today, Lord God, yearns for so many who are suffering like Job was in their lives.  My heart yearns even faints for them, that they would know you, that they would know your gifts, that they would know your grace.  Lord, I pray, help them to know your grace and forgiveness.  Help them to know that their suffering is not divine punishment or karma.  Help them to know and believe in you despite their pain and suffering.  Grant relief from their suffering, even escape.  There are so many in my heart and mind as I pray this prayer.  I pray that you would grant them the peace, the joy, the confidence, even the yearning of Job.  Amen.

Footsteps.

Proverbs 20, Psalm 110-113

Proverbs 20:24 – A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

Lord God, I don’t always understand what you are doing.  In fact, I rarely do. Sometimes I even grumble against the places and the circumstances to which your hand has led me.  I don’t understand them.  I don’t always like them and even kick against them.  Forgive me, Lord.  Forgive my donkey-like behavior, for my stubbornness and my pride, for thinking that I know the place for my feet to step.  Lord, your Word and my own experience has shown me that the footsteps in which you lead me are always and only best.  You do only good for me. You work only good for me and for your kingdom. Lord God, help me to trust your leading.  You place my feet on solid ground.  There they will not slip.  There I will not stumble.  Help me to go along with your gentle leading. No matter where it leads. Your leading and your plan is always best.  Amen.

Garbage. It’s all garbage.

Philippians 3-4, Job 16-18

Philippians 3:8 – Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.  For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.

Lord God, it is tempting for me to find value and meaning in so many things besides you.  I like to keep score. I like to keep score of all the things that I’ve done seemingly well.  I like to keep track of all the things that other people seem to do quite poorly.  And then I compare the score.  It’s easy for me to keep track like this and feel like I’m doing pretty well.  It’s easy for me to take credit for and find my joy in value in the things that I do.  It’s easy for me to be built up by the pats on the back, by the congratulations, even by the thanks for a job well done.  But Lord Jesus, your apostle, is teaching me to guide my heart and my mind to count even the best of the things that I do as garbage and rubbish.  Even the best things that I do, he wants me to think of them as rubbish because that’s what they are when you set them right next to your righteousness.  My deeds are so measly and worthless next to your works, O Christ.  Your works are pure in every way. Your works are saving in every way.  And my works are thoroughly corrupted by my sinful motives.  And my works, even if they might manage to be pure could never save me.  Lord Jesus, give me your Spirit so that I think about my works less and your works more.  Help me to keep no track of my activity and to notice well all of your activity.  Help me to throw all my works in the trash that I might see and hold tightly onto you, O Christ.  Amen.

Shine like Stars

Philippians 2, Job 12-15

Philippians 2:14-15 – Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Lord God, you’ve made me and formed me.  You brought me to faith and declared me to be a light in this dark world.  Simply because of your grace and your call I am a light in this world and you call me to shine like stars in this dark, crooked and twisted generation.  At yet, Lord, sometimes I wonder how brightly I shine.  I wonder how many times I have shed a dark light on you.  My life often preaches a sermon to the world and it isn’t often a good one.  My words and my way of speaking preach a sermon to the world and, sometimes, it doesn’t put you in a good light.  Forgive me.  Forgive me Lord and remove my guilt from me.  Then, Lord, help me and change me.  Give me an attitude and a heart like yours.  Transform me into your likeness, into your image that I might shine more brightly so that more and more people may know you and your Son, Jesus, whom you have sent.  Amen.

God will Finish.

Philippians 1, Job 9-11

Philippians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began and good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.

Lord God, my heart is stirred as I think about all the believers whom you have put in my path, my family members, my fellow-church members, and even other Christians with whom I walk in life.  Lord, what I want for them is what you want. I want them to be with you in heaven. I want you to finish your work in their life.  Make it happen, dear Jesus.  You started a good work in them when you brought faith to them through Word and water.  You started a good work in them when your Spirit raised them to life and gave them faith.  Finish it!  Finish it, dear Jesus.  Keep them in this faith until the day that you return.  Keep them in this faith, always believing in you, until the day that they breathe their last and lie in the dust of the earth.  Finish your work in me, dear Jesus, so that together with them I may stand with you on the last day.  Finish your work in us that we may enjoy an eternity of joys with you and at your right hand.  Do whatever it takes, dear Father, to save all of us and everyone else too. That’s your desire and I’m sure that you will do it.  Amen.

Spent.

2 Corinthians 12-13, Job 6-8

2 Corinthians 12:15 – I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

Lord Jesus, you spent everything for me.  You spent sleepless nights praying for me, for your disciples, even for the world.  You spent restless and exhausting days serving people.  Even when you wanted to escape, to get away and rest, you couldn’t.  Even there the crowds hounded you.  You were abused.  You had no pillow, no place to lay your head.  You were even persecuted and put to death for me, yes, even for the whole world.  You gladly spent everything for me.  Jesus, help me to spend and be spent for the souls in my life today and every day.  Give me gladness and a cheerful spirit as I pour myself out for their good, yes, that whatever I do might aim for their salvation.  Give me a cheerful heart that loves to give and give and to give and never to ask what I might get in return.  Give me joy to serve and serve and serve and serve and never ask how it will turn out.  Give me Paul’s desire and spirit to totally exhaust myself and to spend all my energy and all my other resources too so that the souls whom I meet might be saved, even at my expense. I can do this, Lord, not because I am paying for their salvation, but because, with you, I desire their salvation and the good of their souls.  Give me wisdom and insight to do whatever it takes for them to be saved.  I am yours, Lord Jesus, to be used and to be used up for their salvation.  Use me however you will.  Amen.

I am Weak!

2 Corinthians 11, Job 4-5

2 Corinthians 11:30 – If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.

Lord Jesus, this is not the way it normally goes.  Normally, if I’m going to puff out my chest and strut like a rooster it’s because I’ve done something great.  Normally, it’s because I’ve achieve something remarkable.  Normally, it’s because I’m strong in some way. This is not the way it normally goes, but I think I understand why Paul says this.  He says it first for the sake of his own salvation and then for the sake of the Corinthians.  If Paul boast in his own weakness, then he must realize that you are his only hope.  And if Paul brags about his weakness, then his people must realize that you, Lord, are their only hope as well.  Lord God, highlight in my own eyes and in the eyes of the people in my life the weaknesses.  Highlight my sins for me and others, that I might find joy and peace in your forgiveness. Highlight my frailties and imperfections, that I might lean on you for strength for when I am weak, then I am strong. Highlight where I am lacking skill or gifts, that I might learn to rejoice in the body of Christ and lean on her to do what I am not skilled or gifted to do.  Highlight my weaknesses and teach me to boast in it so that all whom I meet will know that our only hope – both mine and theirs – is you alone.  Then, my weakness is truly something to boast about.  Then, my weakness becomes strength as all people, including myself, put our trust in you.  I am weak Lord.  Be the salvation for me and for all who sees my weaknesses.  Amen.

Plans

Proverbs 19, Psalm 109

Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

O Lord, your plans stand forever.  Before the foundations of the earth were laid you planned the world’s salvation, even mine.  Even today, your plans are unfolding day by day.  Lord, thank you for the wisdom of your Word and the plans that your Spirit stirs in my as I consider your Word and look at my life, the callings in which you have placed me.  Give me wisdom from your Word so that my plans are according to your Word, your revealed will, and are not flowing from my own imaginations.  Give me wisdom then to make wise and good plans as I see you unfolding my life in front of me.  Help me to trust your unfolding of my life.  When it doesn’t unfold the way that I plan, teach me to trust you and rely on your working and guiding.  Your way is best.  My plans are only as good as they line up with your perfect will. But your purpose and your plan which overrides and overrules all of my plans will stand not just now, but forever.  Give me wisdom to submit to your purpose and plan.  Give me peace to trust your working and your guiding.  Amen.

God's Commendation

2 Corinthians 10, Job 1-3

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 – Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD.  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Lord God, the temptation is always there for me.  It’s easy to recommend myself and to want to talk about my accomplishments and successes.  Even in private the temptation remains. I silently take pride and find confidence in the things that I’ve done.  I don’t just want to brag about things; I want to make my activities my boast and my claim before you. This is always a temptation.  But I am nothing.  My works are nothing.  Lord God, my commendation must come from. I have nothing to bring you, Lord, except sin.  Your blood must wash me. Your Son must clothe me. Your Spirit must fill me.  Your call must call me. Your strength must work in me. Your Word that comes from my mouth must.  You, Lord, my turn my dust into gold.  My only hope and boast is you.  Your Son, O Father, has sacrificed for me and has clothed me in his righteousness.  Your Spirit has called me – both to faith and to this calling in which I serve right now.  You, Father, have called me yours and have commended me to the world saying that I am your beloved Son whom you love.  You have put me where you want me when you want me there to do what you want me to do. It’s all you!  Father, help me find my confidence and my commendation in your grace and in your working in me alone.  Amen.

Above and Beyond

2 Corinthians 8-9, Nehemiah 12-13

2 Corinthians 8:7 – But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this act of grace.

Lord God, you held nothing back when it came to loving me.  Though you had all things at your disposal and were rich, you gave it all up and held nothing back from me.  And you did all of that for me.  You gave up up your life, pouring out all of your life-blood for my salvation.  And there’s more.  Lord Jesus, you continue to give me grace in place of grace already given.  And you don’t just give a little bit, you give abundantly and extravagantly. You are over-the-top in your loving of me.  Fill me with your Spirit and help me to be just like you.  Help me to excel and abound in all that I do.  Forgive me for the times that I have done things half-heartedly.  And instead, help me to pursue you and your ways with reckless abandon, just throwing myself into it all.  Help me to excel in my believing and in my speaking.  Teach me to salt and pepper my every conversation with your Word and your truth. Fill me with more and more knowledge and an earnestness for the work to which you have called me.  Most of all, help me to abound in giving to others.  It’s easy to be stingy and closed-handed.  Lord God, move me by your love and promised care of me to give generously and with open hands to any and all who may need generosity from me.  Help me to be like you in this, dear Jesus.  Amen.

Remove Obstacles

2 Corinthians 6:3-18, 2 Corinthians 7, Nehemiah 9-11

2 Corinthians 6:3 – We put no obstacles in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

Lord God, I hear Paul say this and immediately I wonder to myself how many times I have put obstacles in the way of me serving other people.  I wonder how many times I have been the obstacle.  I wonder how many times what I say, how I say it, pushes people away.  I wonder how many times my dress or my mannerisms have been a stumbling block to people hearing me.  Lord God, teach me to love people like you did.  Help me, out of that deep love that you have for me, to remove all obstacles from the path of people hearing the gospel from me.  Help me get rid of any stumbling block that would hinder them from being served by me.  Lord God, there are obstacles that I cannot remove. I cannot make your gospel more palatable or pleasant to the ears of hard hearts.  Lord God, this is an obstacle that you alone, by your gospel, can remove.  Lord God, remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Open their hearts to hear the gospel and believe it.  Lord God, use me how you will so that your gospel is heard, hearts are softened and faith is worked.  I stand with you and do not want any to perish.  Help me get out of the way so that people might see you.  Amen.