Instead

Mark 15, Ezekiel 16-17

Mark 15:11 – But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

Oh, the irony, Jesus! Oh, the irony.  The chief priests and the crowd were practically rioting to see Jesus crucified.  They were willing to do anything to see Jesus die.  They were so out of control in their thinking that they thought it was better to have them release Barabbas, a known rebel, murderer, insurrectionists, and criminal back into freedom.  Their thinking makes no sense on no level.  But neither does your, Lord Jesus.  And for my sake and for the sake of everyone else who has, is, or ever will walk this earth, I am glad that it doesn’t.  While the Jews demanded freedom for Barabbas instead of for you, you willingly gave yourself into death instead of Barabbas and me.  Yes, Jesus, you willingly and gladly gave yourself up to death instead of me, so that me, me a known rebel and a sinner against you, O God, might go free.  You, Lord Jesus, willingly let them have their way, so that I could go mine, free and clear, forgiven and justified.  Thank you!  Amen.

No Accusation

 Mark 14:43-72, Ezekiel 13-15

Mark 14:55-56 – Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.  For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony against him, but their testimony did not agree.

Lord Jesus, I don’t think that people would have to look to far or think too hard at my life to accuse me of something.  And they wouldn’t even have to lie. My kids especially wouldn’t, nor would my wife.  They see me at my absolute worst. They get the absolute worst from me. I usually cover up and hide from people outside our house.  They don’t see the full ugliness, though it is also certainly evident.  They wouldn’t have to think too long of all my sins against them and against you.  I’m thankful for your forgiveness and forgetfulness.  It is undeserved, but they give it anyway; sometimes without me even asking for it.  Lord Jesus, more than that I’m thankful for your spotless record.  They couldn’t find anything against you, even when they lied about it.  Because of your spotless record I am free and clear.  There is nothing that you, O God, will find against me or on my record.  There is nothing about which the Devil can rightly accuse me anymore.  My record is clear and clean.  And that means that today I don’t have to live as if I had to make up for all my past sins.  I don’t have to work hard to have a clean record; it is already clean.  It means that today I don’t have to make up for or atone for past sins.  They have already been atoned for and forgiven.  I am free and clear.  I get to. Live without any guilt, any fear, any shame.  Set me free – more and more – by this truth, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Beautiful Things

Mark 14:1-42, Ezekiel 10-12

Mark 14:6 – Jesus said, “Leave her alone.  Why do you trouble her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

Lord Jesus, you say such astounding things at the strangest times. You’re getting to go to the cross to die and you’re taking time to protect this woman from the scorn of the disciples.  And even more than that you’re even calling her work of feet anointing a beautiful thing. I certainly wouldn’t have called this beautiful.  She’s washing your feet!  But that tells me how you view our works, our regular, ordinary works. I never would call helping my kids with their math “beautiful” but you do. I would never call cleaning up the kitchen “beautiful” but you do. I would never call simple things beautiful.  Necessary and important, yes.  But beautiful, probably not.  Jesus, what great honor you show me.  The things that I do in my life, when I simply show my love for you and my love for my neighbor – whoever that happens to be in my life – you love that!  You call it beautiful.  Even the seemingly most meaningful task in my day of service to other people is beautiful in your sight.  Give me joy to know how you view my service.  Give me joy to serve you and my neighbors in this. Amen.

I love God's Word.

Proverbs 26, Psalm 119:161-176, Psalm 120-122

Psalm 119:162 – 163 – I rejoice at your Word like one finds great spoil.  I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Lord God, your Word is so good. It is pure and perfect in every way.  It is inspired by your Spirit and it is useful for this life and to save me for the next. It tastes good to me, even when it confronts that which is sinful in me. It tastes even better when it tells me how good you are, Father, and how great your Son is. I love your Word. Help me to hate false and evil things and to run away from them. Give me a heart to save out of the fire those who are caught up in it. And increase in me, more and more, a love for your Word so that I seek you in it every day and meditate on it all day long. Amen.

Sigh. Groan.

Mark 13:32-37, Ezekiel 6-9

Ezekiel 10:4 – And the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”

Lord Jesus, I’m sighing and groaning as I think about all the evil in this world and even a fascination with it. I hear a news report about a guy who collects ouija boards as a hobby and has thousands of them.  I see the month of October full of horror movies, some of which seem to border on Satanic and people flock to them.  I see that perversions, things that are not natural, are becoming normal.  My heart cries because of shooters in Vegas and gunmen in churches.  My heart weeps most of all because the love of most is groan cold and more and more people are leaving the faith while countless others refuse to come.  Lord Jesus, mark my family with the cross of your Son and save us from this evil age.  Lord Jesus, mark my children through their baptism and claim them as your own. Save those in my church family from this present evil age. Save the people in this community from the evil of this age. Use me in my family, in my church, in my community to be the one who marks them with your Son as I make him known to the people in my life. In this way, I will save both myself and the people I care about now and the people I will grow to care about.  Amen.

Stand me up, Lord.

Mark 13:1-31, Ezekiel 1-5

Ezekiel 2:2 – And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Lord Jesus, you have called me to serve you.  Yes, the way in which you have called me is different from the calling that Ezekiel had and yet the need for me to have strength, courage, perseverance, and boldness from you is the same. Lord Jesus, send your Spirit into me daily, hourly, even minute-by-minute, that I might stand up to do the work to which you have called me. Make me the parent that my children need. Make me the husband/wife that my wife/husband needs. Make me the pastor my people need.  Make me the brother/sister my siblings need. Make me the friend which my friends need. Make me the neighbor my neighbors need. Stand me up on my feet and send me on my way to do that work to which you have called me. Embolden me for the tasks that require boldness. Give me endurance for the tasks that require patient perseverance. Make me gentle for those people who need gentleness. Stand me up and shape me for each task and calling to which you have called me.  Amen.

Do you even know?

Mark 12, Lamentations 4-5

Mark 12:24 – Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?”

Lord Jesus, the Pharisees and the Sadducees show their ignorance.  They ask their questions of Jesus, but they don’t even know the Scriptures.  They have fallen away from the faith because they haven’t spent their time studying and knowing the Scriptures.  Lord Jesus, keep me from this!  I pray you, Lord Jesus, by the constant teaching of your Spirit and the constant meditating on your Word, teach my heart, guide my life, and instruct my mind.  I pray, by Your Word transform my heart and mind so that all these important questions are answered not by my understanding but by the truth of your Word. Speak clearly to me in your Word and give me faith to understand, apply, and believe it.  Help me stand up in faith on the truth of your Word.  Amen.

Confident Prayer

Mark 11, Lamentation 1-3

Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Lord Jesus, I hear you say this and suddenly I wonder how true it is and what exactly it means.  Does this mean that I don’t get what I’ve asked for because I don’t believe in you enough? Does this mean that when my prayer isn’t answered that I’m too sinful to get anything from you?  What exactly does this mean? Doubts enter my prayer life.  Questions enter my prayer life.  But that’s not how you would have me prayer.  Lord Jesus, you would have me pray with a confidence that doesn’t doubt and that isn’t blown around like waves in the sea.  Lord Jesus, this is my 100% confidence as I enter your presence to prayer.  I am 100% sure that you love me and you’re listening when I pray. I am 100% certain that you actually do care about my prayers.  I am 100% sure that no request of mine is beyond your powerful answer.  I am 100% confident that your will and your answer to my prayer is what truly is best. Beyond, this Lord Jesus, I only have questions because I do not know what is best for me. I do not know what is truly best for the people in my life or the people outside my circles.  Lord Jesus, teach me to prayer with confidence because of what I know for sure.  Teach me to pray with boldness because you invite to ask for anything.  And teach me to humbly submit my will to yours because you truly do know best.  Amen.

Mercy!

Mark 10:32-52, Jeremiah 52

Mark 10:47 – And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.  I am helpless in so many ways.  I am helpless in the face of your judgment because your judgment is right and I am a sinner.  I am helpless in the life that live because even though I think I have control over my health, my wallet, or any other part of my life, I really have no control; control is but an illusion.  I am helpless in every part of my life.  Lord Jesus, have mercy me.  I am but a beggar. I am thoroughly a sinner. Have mercy, Lord Jesus, and save me from my sin. Have mercy, Lord Jesus, and forgive me. Have mercy, Lord, and give me health, and strength, and pleasures and joy. Have mercy, Lord, and guide me in the path that leads to eternal life.  Have mercy Lord Jesus, have mercy.  Amen.

Delighted

Proverbs 25, Psalm 119:121-160

Psalm 119:143 – Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments give me delight.

Lord God, as I live out my life trouble and anguish are never far away. I can never get far from trouble and anguish in my life.  It is always right there, right around the corner.  Lord, help me to endure these troubles patiently and joyfully.  And more than, Lord God, give me joy to hear your Word, give me delight in following your commandments.  When trouble and hardship would steal my joy and break my spirit, restore my spirit in me and grant me joy in my salvation.  Help me to delight in the good words that flow from your pen.  As I draw near to your house to worship tomorrow, help me to delight in your Word as the banquet from you that it really is.  Amen.

Rewards of Grace

Mark 10:1-31, Jeremiah 50-51

Mark 10:29-30 – Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will receive a hundred fold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Lord Jesus, it really is a difficult thing to follow you.  It means to leave behind everything that matters to me and to consider it a small thing next to holding on to you.  It means to consider my family to be a small thing because you are a big thing.  It means to consider my property a small thing because you are my all in all.  It means to risk my life, limb and safety for your sake because you are one and only God and Savior.  But this is hard because my heart gets attached to  all these things.  It is hard for my heart to truly hold you as my number one when I grow attracted and attached to all these things.  But Lord Jesus, I see where you’re going with this.  When I value you as my number one, then I am really free to enjoy all these other gifts.  When I have you, then I really find joy in these gifts of grace from you.  Lord Jesus, help me to break my love affair with the things of this world and people in my life so that you are my everything.  Then, help me to enjoy these people and these things as the gifts from you that they are.  Help me also to endure whatever persecution and hardship comes because of my devotion to you alone.  Amen.

Last Not First

Mark 9:14-50, Jeremiah 48-49

Mark 9:35 – And he sat down and called the Twelve.  And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Lord Jesus, I find myself walking with the disciples and debating about who is really great in your sight.  The whole time I want the answer to be me.  I think so often about greatness in terms of a position, power, prominence, importance, even success and accolades. And that’s why these words are so important for me to understand.  My greatness comes from your grace that elevates me to be your son.  My greatness comes from your grace that justifies me.  Grace calls me to my vocation. Grace calls me to a place in life where I can serve other people and be of benefit to them. Teach me, Savior, Jesus, to rejoice in my calling and to serve people from that calling.  It is a great thing for me to be redeemed by you, to be called by you, to be kept by you. Help me to find joy in serving other people.  Amen.

A Sight for Sore Eyes

Mark 8:22-38, Mark 9:1-13, Jeremiah 45-47

Mark 9:2 – After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before him.

Lord Jesus, this is a sight for my eyes that I wish I could have seen.  There is so much evil and hate in the world. Terrorist attacks.  Racial tensions.  There is so much hardship and hurt in the world, even in my own life. It’s easy to forget that you’re in charge and that you’re ruling all things for my good. But here it is for your disciples to see.  And though I wasn’t there with them to witness this divine glory of yours, you made sure that I would see it by placing it on the pages of Scripture for me to witness through their testimony.  This really is a site for my sore eyes.  I see you fully glorified, brighter than the light of the sun.  I hear God, our Father, declare his pleasure with you and all your work.  I see Moses and Elijah encouraging you one last time before you take your final steps toward Jerusalem and toward winning our salvation.  Lord God, let this sight of your glory go with me as I walk out into this world.  Help me to remember your glory, your power, your might and most of all your love.  It was your love that led you to walk down from this mountain and up to another mountain, Calvary.  Let this sight of your glory go with me as I come down from this sight.  Let it comfort and assure me.  Let it inspire and compel me.  Amen.

Standing Word

Mark 8:1-21, Jeremiah 40-44

Jeremiah 44:28 – [They] shall know whose word will stand, mine or theirs.

O Lord, throughout the ages you have proven yourself to be trustworthy and faithful.  You have kept your Word.  Time after time we see it happen.  You promise to punish and discipline your people and you do.  You promise to come to the rescue of your people and you do.  You promise watch over to protect and you do.  You promised to send your Son and you did.  You promised to send out your Holy Spirit and you did.  You promised to send out your Word and your gospel into all the world and I’ve heard of it.  Lord, your Word and your promises are standing and true.  They were true and trustworthy the moment you spoke them.  They remain true.  Your Word and your promise stands.  Help me to take you at your Word and to trust you whole heartedly.  Amen.

He does all things well.

Mark 7, Jeremiah 37-39

Mark 7:37 – And they were astonished beyond measure saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Lord Jesus, they don’t even know. This crowd couldn’t even begin to know what they were saying. I can’t even begin to know how right this crowd really well. They were just talking about what they could see. And what they saw was amazing all on its own.  You took a man who was deaf and mute and you loosed his tongue and opened his ears.  Astounding.  Just that was enough for them to say, “He has done all things well.”  But Jesus, there is so much more truth in this statement than that you did a good job healing this man.  Everything you put your hand to is done perfectly well.  Your gifts and abilities, Lord Jesus, are limitless.  Your skill and your personality and boundless.  Jesus, if you took a strength finder’s test they wouldn’t know what to do because you are strong in every area.  You have no weak spots.  Your wisdom and your understanding overflows for every situation, for every individual in every situation, even for the eternal good of every individual in every situation.  You know what needs to be done and you get it done.  It is good.  And Jesus, my heart overflows with joy and astonishment, because you have me in your sights, to do good for me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future.  Lord Jesus, my heart is in awe because you certainly do all things well.  Amen.

Honey for the Soul

Proverbs 24:8-34, Psalm 119:81-120

Proverbs 24:13-14 – My son, eat honey for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Lord God, I love sweet stuff. You’ve given me taste buds that crave candy and cakes and all things sweet. Give me such a craving for the wisdom of your Word. Give me such a longing to study, understand, meditate on, and apply the good things that your Word has to say. When I understand your word, help me to stick in my heart, to remember it’s truth and to take it with me onto my days paths. When I don’t quite understand what your word is saying, give me a desire to dig in, to work on it, and search your Word so that I can begin to understand it. Pour out your Holy Spirit on me so that I see the wonderful things of your Word.  Open my mind and heart to hear, understand, meditate on and rejoice in your wisdom. Make worship the same for me.  Make the word that you give me in worship – my pastor, through the readings, through the hymns, songs, and spiritual songs – make it all honey to my soul. Give me a craving for wisdom from you that I might hope and a future from you and in your Word. Amen.

Rest

Mark 6:30-56, Jeremiah 34-36

Mark 6:31 – “Come away with me by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”

Lord God, Father in heaven, I have every reason to rest right now even as I set my mind to go to work today.  I have every reason to set my heart at rest today as I go about my daily work.  Lord God, your power and might is truly amazing.  You created this world in six days and rested on the seventh. You knit me together in my mother’s wombs.  You created me, little ole me, and you are concerned for me.  You care about me and watch over my coming and my going now and forever.  And that’s not all.  My eternity is not in doubt, not even a little bit.  You died on the cross for me and there paid the price for all my sins, that I might be forgiven, that I might be justified and be declared righteous in your sight.  You have done all this for me and still you do more.  You have given me so many gifts and treasures on earth.  Oh God, I can rest and set my heart at ease.  There is no reason for me to worry, to be afraid, to be stressed.  There is no reason for me to fret at all because you are my Father, because you are my God, because you are my Lord. Grant rest to me today while I work. Grant rest to me this weekend as I worship you with my fellow believers. Grant rest to me today and every day. Amen.

Nothing is too hard.

Mark 6:1-29, Jeremiah 32-33

Jeremiah 32:17 – Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too hard for you.

Lord God, you often ask me to believe things that seem impossible from my perspective.  You were asking Jeremiah to step out in faith and trust you to do something that seemed highly unlikely and even impossible. And yet, in this his prayer, he confesses clearly who you are and what you can do. Nothing is too hard for you!  Help me to take you at your word, to trust your promises and your Word. Teach me to step out in faith knowing that you will set my feet on solid ground and you will keep me from falling.  Teach me to trust you with every decision I make and every step I take. Help me to remember that you made it all, that you brought all that exists into being with your powerful world.  Help me to remember that nothing is too hard for you, nothing at all. Grant me faith to trust you even when all that I see seems to be impossible.  Amen.

Tell your Friends.

Mark 5, Jeremiah 29-31

Mark 5:19 – And he…said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Lord Jesus, this man was set on fire for you.  He had just experienced one of your greatest miracles.  You had cast a legion of demons out of him.  It’s no wonder that he wanted to come with you when you left that area. But your instructions were simple and clear: Go home and tell the people in your life how much God has done for you.  Jesus, I forget this simple instruction so often.  I want to do great things.  I want to sparkle and shine for you.  But your instructions to me are just as simple and clear.  Just go home and tell the people in your life about what I’ve done for you. Go home and tell them about how good I am. Go back and tell your friends and family, your neighbors and relatives about my mercy and grace.  Help me to keep these words in mind as I live my life. Instead of looking beyond my present company to some greater thing, help me see each interaction in this day as an opportunity to talk about your goodness and grace. Give me words and boldness to talk about your goodness with my family, to pray with them and to pray for them, to tell them about how good you are.  Give me words and boldness to talk to strangers, acquaintances, and people I know extremely well.   Fill my heart to overflowing because of your goodness, mercy and grace that I can’t help talking about how much you’ve done for me.  Amen.

Growing

Mark 4, Jeremiah 26-28

Mark 4:26-27 – And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.  He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.”

Lord God, I need to read this parable often.  I need to remember it’s truth.  I need to remember this parable because I often get discouraged about your kingdom and your church on earth.  It doesn’t seem to be doing well.  The gospel doesn’t seem to be working.  Christians pour out the gospel often but it often doesn’t seem to be making a difference.  But this parable tells me differently and reminds me of the truth about your kingdom that often remains hidden.  Your kingdom grows all on its own, whether I’m sleeping or working, whether I’m working or resting.  That’s what your kingdom does because that’s how you work.  Your work and the ways of your kingdom are like the wind.  It blows wherever it wishes; I don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going.  And that’s how your Spirit does his work in the kingdom.  That’s what your Word does.  It doesn’t return to you without accomplishing whatever you desire.  And when it bears fruit and grows up, it is an astounding and glorious thing.  Something completely other grows up.  Where once death reigned, now life reigns.  Where once unbelieved lived, now faith dwells.  This is what your Word does.  This is what you do God. Plant this parable on my heart and help to remember it’s truth.  Amen.