Saturday, March 31st

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  - Luke 18:9-14

 Dear Jesus, with this simple story of a spiritual giant (the tax collector), and a religious dwarf (the Pharisee), you put holy fear in me of becoming self-righteous.  I fear because I not only have looked down on people who have repetitive public sins, but I have also looked down on the Pharisee, because I am sure I have not looked down on others as much as he. Oh Jesus, if I am honest with myself, I look down on everyone for one reason or another at different times.  I struggle with the damning sin of self-righteousness.  Oh, please forgive my sin and purify my heart from thinking I am any different than the rest of fallen humanity.  Be my Savior and light the way out of my dark and lonely cave of self-righteousness.  Help me to truly esteem all others better than myself.  AMEN

The one sin I am proud to have never committed is the sin of looking down on others, or so I thought!

Additional Reading: Philippians 2:1-11, James 1:27, Jeremiah 31:16-20  

Friday, March 30th

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  - Psalm 51:9-10

Lord, my natal spiritual defect is that I have a corrupted heart.  From that heart I have erred in too many ways to count.  I know I am forgiven.  But what I ask today is that you create a new heart in me for today.  Use the new morning mercy you promise to change who I am today.  I am dependent on your daily medicine.  Oh, God I do not want the placebo that the world offers to cheer my soul.  I want the real thing, pure grace.  Make me a new, selfless, happy, and generous person today - all because I know I am forgiven and loved by you.  Take away my judgmental, unhappy heart and give me the steroid that helps me walk three feet above who I would be today without you. AMEN

The human soul is the epicenter where grace works.  All good human operations come from the changes that happen inside and not outside of that holy room. 

Additional Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Genesis 50:20-21, Matthew 5:1-12

Thursday, March 29th

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord?    Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.  - Romans 11:33-36

Dear Lord, thank you for never hiring me to plan and execute the big things in my life.  Although, I have doubted you too many times to count; I always like the end you write for each chapter of my life.  I do get stuck too often begging for you to show me your ways and your plans before I dare step forward with a willing heart.  I am so sorry for being so stubborn.  But now I ask, please graciously keep writing my story for Jesus' sake.  And don't tell me how it ends.  I want to wait until I get there where I will have to hold on tightly to your right hand lest I slip into the unhappy ending that you have prepared for demons and not for people.  AMEN

It's your choice:  Either write your own story and force God to write an unhappy ending.  Or let God write your story and look forward to an amazing finish.

Additional Reading: Psalm 73, Psalm 139, Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes 8:16-17, Ephesians 1:11, Revelation 5

Wednesday, March 28th

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  - Colossians 3:15

Dear Jesus, I love how the words, "be thankful" just creep into grand passages about peace from our relationship with you. I try to imagine descriptors of you when you walked the earth and I think one would be that you were always thankful. I cannot see you complaining about a messy house or a messy roommate. I cannot see you stressing everyone out by what you cannot get accomplished. I don't think you ever complained when you were small because your mom cut the sandwich into triangles instead of squares. You never complained and always thanked your Father and people genuinely. I on the other hand am a "chronic complainer." I know it even when no one else notices because I complain in my heart. In fact, I complain so much that I get bored by my own complaining.   Jesus, make me a thankful person like you.  More importantly, thank you for forgiving my ungrateful heart. I want to live a thankful life because you accept me with a gracious heart. When I do live a thankful life, I feel the peace you talk about too.  AMEN

Complaint is really an identity issue. If you see yourself as blessed without merit you will not complain about much. Until God changes how you look at yourself, you won't stop being unhappy with everyone and everything.

Additional Reading: John 14:27, Romans 1:21, Philippians 2:14-18

Tuesday, March 27th

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  - Deuteronomy 31:6

Lord, I love this promise you gave Israel through Moses.  It reminds me that all of the concerns I have about our country, my church, my finances, my health, and the welfare of my loved ones, every one of them is overwhelmed with this one thought; You are with me.  With your power and love right by my side, I cannot give way to fear.  I am going to be okay and so will everyone else.  You are with me. And even if I die, I will then see you in all your glory instead of only experiencing you through words.  Oh God, help me live today with a comforted heart. AMEN

Finding peace in God frees us to enjoy the blessings of each day.

Additional Reading: Joshua 1:5-11, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 41:17, Hebrews 13:4-8, 2 Chronicles 16:9

Monday, March 26th

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  - Matthew 6:27

Dear Jesus, with this little sentence you both comfort and confront me.  I am comforted that my life does not depend on my own or anyone else's decisions.  I am confronted that I waste way too much time worrying as if it does.  Help me find the balance between responsible stewardship of my body and life and careless faith that makes me sleep well and not live with stress every day.  You had a relatively short life on earth compared to mine and you did not waste one ounce of energy worrying.  Come and rescue me from the same.  AMEN

Peace about our future comes when we trust who holds it. Don’t strain to see the future.  Strain to see who is holding it.

Additional Reading: Psalm 39, Psalm 90, Psalm 104, Acts 17:22-31

Sunday, March 25th

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. - Proverbs 14:4

Dear Lord, I know that a neat and tidy home, yard, and office make me more efficient and communicate to you and others that I appreciate everything you have given me.  But I also know how neatness can make my possessions become idols that I coddle and protect.  I can even make messes of other people's emotions if they make a mess out of my tidy things. Help me to appreciate that a home that is slightly messy is lived in by people I love, that a disheveled desk means I have productive work that makes my life matter, and that a yard that needs mowing is a healthy yard with growing things.  Give me enough of life to keep it a little messy and enough thankfulness to take proper care of everything you loan to me.  Above all, help me truly value people more than things.  AMEN

The goal is productive, thankful living, not becoming a curator of my own private, tidy museum.

Additional Reading:  Psalm 144, Malachi 3:6-12, 2 Corinthians 9:1-12-15

Saturday, March 24th

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 Dear Lord, I did not ask to live in this time and place.  You placed me here right where you want me.  But ever since I got here, I have tried to control time and place.  It always sets me up for frustration and makes me lose the joy of the moment no matter what "time" it is.  Help me to savor the time you have given while I have it, to use it for good and to do what is appropriate for each "time." Give me wisdom to know when to save and when to toss, when to tear down and when to build up, when to stay put and when to move.  Help my family and friends with this same challenge.  I cannot stop time from passing, but I can stop just passing through time.  I want to worship throughout my entire time on earth and make every second count.  AMEN

 Time cannot be created, stopped, saved, or exploited.  It runs its course for everyone and no one can keep it forever.  It cannot help or hurt you by itself.   In heaven, the anxiety caused by time will be forever forgotten. 

Additional Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Ephesians 1:3-23

Friday, March 23rd

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.  Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.  For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.  Proverbs 6:20-23

Dear Jesus, you gave me great parents who labored tirelessly to rear my siblings and me with careful instruction and love.  I know their rules, instructions and modeling were all from the faithful heart of parents who owned the success of their children.  I grieve even today about the times I made their work stressful or difficult.  However, now all of their work is bearing fruit long after they have entered your palace in heaven. Help me honor my parents and you by doing from the heart what they engraved there.  Encourage parents everywhere that you are proud of them when they invest time, energy and insight in the children you have loaned them.  Help them have faith that one day their children will pray like this.  Encourage them, so they do not give up in the face of temporary resistance.  AMEN

God invented parents and families.  He highly esteems this arrangement. That's why he protects it with one of his "Big Ten" commandments.  

 Additional Readings: Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:21-26, 1:7-9, 10:17,

Thursday, March 22nd

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”   “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” - Matthew 14:27-31

 Dear Jesus, if it is you who is walking over the waters of my life, then call out to me and ask me to come out there with you.  There are several things that make me anxious and I am not sure what to do with them.  They are like the wind and the waves that galloped on the night you surprised the disciples.  I am so tempted to stare at the problems with fearful eyes and no ideas about what to do.  Fix my eyes on you and give me the wisdom and insight to do what you would do, trusting that you will hold me up above the waters that churn to engulf me.  Be my Savior in the difficult moments just as you were at the cross. AMEN

 "Peter doesn't walk on water anymore.  It's our turn to trust and obey." 

 Additional Readings: Exodus 14:13-14, 2 Chronicles 20:12, Daniel 10:12, Matthew 9:1-8, 17:7, 28:10, Acts 23:11, Revelation 1:17

Wednesday, March 21st

“No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.  - John 13:8

 Dear Jesus, I understand why Peter's objected to you washing his feet.  He adored you.  He wanted to honor you, serve you, and keep you on a pedestal.  I want to do that too.  But glued to my worship of you is also my addiction to myself.  It is an uninvited guest that always seems to tag along with my faith in you.  That’s why you came to wash us, to rescue us.   If we do not let you rescue us, we have no part with you. If we are thinking that our worship of you is more important than you, we have subtly and completely missed the point.  You are God who loves to save us.  We are sinners who must be saved.  So, wash away dear Jesus. Wash away my sins and all the sins of my family and friends.  Flood our lives and relationships with your cleansing grace and drive out the judgement and selfishness that so easily tears us apart.  AMEN

 "It's all about Jesus and his cleansing grace.  If he doesn't wash us, we will live dirty selfish lives toward each other." 

 Additional Readings: Galatians 3:1-14, 5:1-6, Titus 2:11-14, Titus 3:3-8

Tuesday, March 20th

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  - Romans 14:8

Dear Lord, being honest, I would have to admit that all day long I am tempted to measure my happiness by whether I am getting my way or not.  I unconsciously ask myself, "Did I get what I want or need?"  This verse is a game changer.  I belong to you.  I was made by you.  I was purchased back by you after I got lost. I belong to you.  Therefore, I am not master of my own fate or captain of my own ship.  Actually, this makes me feel safe and secure even if my life in this world is non-descript or even hard.  Knowing that I belong to you also binds me to a purpose higher than my own desires.  I live for you and I die for you.  Help me to live for you as for an audience of One.  Restore to me the happiness of a life well lived for the One who lived well for me.  AMEN

Most of our unhappiness is caused by our self-centeredness and self-pity, not by the people or circumstances around us.  That's good news because with God's help we can choose to be happy at any moment.

Additional Readings: Philippians 1:12-26, Romans 15:1-13

Monday, March 19th

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.- Hebrews 11:8

Dear Jesus, you would not tell Abraham where he was going but you told him to leave his comfort zone and follow you. Not knowing what that meant for his family and him was exactly what you wanted.  You purposefully kept him in the dark.  For a long time, I have wondered why you do this to us. I think you don't tell us what is next in our lives so we will stay close to you with an open heart to who you are. You made us to live with you.  We tend to live by ourselves, especially when we think we know how things will go for us.  Even us Christians are often functional atheists.   You held Abraham close, as your friend, by keeping him in the dark. Hold me close to, dear Jesus.   I don't know what huge challenges and great opportunities wait for me. I can’t figure it out. But I can stay close to you. If you will stay close to me and fill me with the fruits of your Spirit, I will boldly step into an unknown tomorrow. I will go where you lead me. Take the wheel, Jesus.  Just don't ever kick me out of your car. AMEN

God keeps us from knowing what's next in order to keep us close to him now and in the 'what's next'! Having us close to him is why he made us in the first place.

Additional Readings: Genesis 12:1-9, Acts 7:1-8, Hebrews 11 

Sunday, March 18th

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  - 1 Peter 1:3-5

Dear heavenly Father, by sending Jesus for me you have given me a living hope. He conquered death and gives me the grace and power to live forever after I die. Believing this gives me a sense of optimism even while I am a realist about my situation. My biggest goal is to live joyfully in faith while I love others in your name. Help me be honest with myself about whatever challenges and problems I face, but not depressed by them.  I do not have to resolve every problem or achieve every goal when you have promised I will leave them all behind anyway. Oh, Father, make me honest about my earthly life and hopeful in my eternal life at the same time. AMEN

Real faith honestly treats earthly matters with passing concern and heavenly matters with tenacious respect.  

Additional Readings:  Luke 12:13-21, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Mark 8:36

Saturday, March 17th

 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  - Romans 12:4-5

Dear heavenly Father,

You make a very bold statement that I belong to every other Christian and every other Christian belongs to me.  We own each other like family.  I confess that by nature I like to pick and choose who I want to consider as a brother or sister.  I know others can tell it, too.  I can tell when they are picking and choosing, also.  Lord, forgive us all for being choosy and not submitting to your truth that we are all brothers and sisters who must serve each other in every way. Help me to lead the way by "being there" for others.  When I reach my limit and cannot help another Christian that I know needs help, then raise up other Christians to reach out with unconditional love to help that brother or sister in need.  Oh, Lord, help us love each other the way you want us to.  

AMEN

In Christ there are no “black sheep.”  All have been made white in the blood of the spotless Lamb who purchased them.

 

Additional Readings: 1 Corinthians 12:7-26, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 4:7-11, Colossians 3:11-12

Friday, March 16th

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.  - Philippians 3:7-8

Dear Jesus,

I know the story of Paul's life and how you took away all of his earthly status and renewed him in the status of grace. He had been so proud of his own accomplishments and then suddenly they meant nothing to him anymore.  In the same way, I have already thrown away my childhood trophies, but I struggle to cling to what I consider adult accomplishments.  I try not to talk about them but I still caress them in my thoughts and measure my life by them when I daydream.  By your Holy Spirit, I am begging you to free me from the temptation to measure my life by anything other than your grace.  Help me to consider even those things I have accomplished as a Christian to be garbage compared to having your unmerited favor. That way, I will be immune to both diseases called success and failure.

AMEN

When Christ fills the room in our hearts we forget who we were and relax in who we are in him. 

Additional Readings: Matthew 13:44-46, Luke 14:33-35, Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3, 2 Peter 1:2-11, Psalm 73

Thursday, March 15th

I want to be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:9-11

Dear God,

You sent your Son to give me what I needed in order to give back to you.  I could never be completely right in your eyes.  I know what you want.  I even nod in approval.  But still, I somehow choose to fall short and do my own will each day. Then you, like a mother giving her child the money he needs to buy her a present, give me Jesus to be the righteousness you desire. I believe this, and so I cannot leave your side. Help me to know what it means to live in your Son and to obediently participate in his sufferings.  My generation tells me to seek comfort and convenience but you tell me to seek love and sacrifice.  It scares me to think that you have called me to suffer, but I believe it is holy and right to selflessly serve.  Now, by your grace, help me experience the sacrificial Christian life with a spiritually mature heart. AMEN

Jesus came to save us, change us and then make us a replica of him for our generation.
 

Additional Readings: Romans 3:9-28, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:1-4, Jeremiah 33:14-16,

Wednesday, March 14th

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:12-14

Dear Jesus,

I know that my life isn't quite over because I am still here.  I know that at the moment my body dies, my soul will be perfected.  Until I receive that gift, I have a purpose for my life; it's to live out faith and love in your name in an athletic way.  It’s to press on in ardent, concentrated love toward the day I experience your perfect love and power in heaven.  Every now and then, I am overcome by memories of past failures. They turn me inward and downward.  But in this passage, Paul tells me that even he willfully forgot what was behind, so he could live fully in the present.  Help me today to forget all of my sins and failures as well as every supposed accomplishment. These two impostures only distract me from today.  Instead, give me the singular purpose to live today the way you have called me to. Thanks for paving the way for me to do this with your pure grace.  

AMEN

God has promised to give us grace and forgiveness for the rest of our lives.  Let's promise him to run in that sphere with all the spiritual agility we can muster.

Additional Readings: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Timothy 6:12, Luke 9:62, Hebrews 10:36-39, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Romans 8:28-29

Tuesday, March 13

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. - Ephesians 3:17-18

Dear Jesus,

Today, I willingly lay aside all my requests that you fix this or that in my life or in the lives of those I love.  Instead, according to your word above, I ask with Paul, one thing: enlarge your love and power in my heart, so that I grasp more than ever before, how real and powerful that love is to make me secure, to give me peace and hope, to enable me to want to be there for other people, even those who irritate me, and to fill me to overflowing with love for everyone.  

AMEN

You don’t have what it takes to know the depth and breadth of God’s love.  This you must receive as a gift from Him who loves everyone incomprehensibly.  

Additional Readings: Romans 11:33-36, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 1 Corinthians 13
 

Monday, March 12

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. - Romans 12:19

Dear Jesus,

You modeled this word from the Holy Spirit perfectly.  In grace you kept going back to get your wayward disciples without rejecting them.  From the cross you forgave those murdering you.  But me?  I stumble and struggle.  A big part of me wants to see all bullies fall into grave trouble.  The pain they cause magnifies my sense of justice.  I naturally want them to pay for their wrongs.   But your love and redemption is sublimely more powerful, putting justice back in its cage.  Fill me with your supernatural love so completely that I forgive those who have hurt or ignored me.  Make me not wish any negative experience on them.  But instead, help me seek to bless their lives in creative ways.  I am yours.  Change me into the peaceful, redemptive person that you are.  

AMEN

Christ forgave everyone living with him when he walked the earth.  Now, through us, he wants to forgive everyone living today. 

Additional Readings: Lev 19:18, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 24:29, Deut. 32:35, Genesis 50:15-21, 1 Samuel 26:5-11.