Tuesday, May 8th

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. - Mark 7:9-13

 Dear Jesus, I have so many friends and family that are feeling the heavy burden of grief as their parents' health wanes and the flesh like grass loses its beautiful flower.  The challenges of role reversal and life altering decisions leaves them overwhelmed with worry.  They want to do the right thing. They want to fight their own selfishness and honor their parents the way you ask us to.  But it is no easy task.  It is so counter intuitive to tell the ones who have given you life that they must lose their independence and become more the child than the parent.  It is all part of the fallen-ness of our existence.  Help both parents and children to rise up with love, faith, and hope and to cooperate with each other as they suffer through the last days together.  Give them your bright light of forgiveness when they don't get it right and hope for the life beyond when they grieve over the end.  Oh, God, help us be your people of love and truth as we struggle through caring for one another.  AMEN

 Honor your parents in all circumstances even if it means honoring them with a holy struggle for their own safety of body and soul.

Additional Readings: Exodus 20:12, 21:17, Leviticus 20:9, 

Monday, May 7th

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.  Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:6,7,9,17

Dear Heavenly Father, just as you have given me Jesus, you have also given me Christian friends who honestly love and serve my best interest.  help me to appreciate their honest meddling in my heart.  I do not want to  be like a school boy playing dodge ball jumping this way tand that to avoid penetrating conversation.  Make me bold to let my friends affect me.  But also, help me to affect them with the same loving, honest, god-pleasing advice.  It is so easy to imagine everything is good and nothing should be changed while I live with a blind spot that you sent friends to remove.  Give all of us the grace that forgives and makes us vulnerable to one another in that good and holy way.  AMEM

Deep personal friendship is dangerous for our vain ceramic egos.

Additional Readings: Psalm 141:5, Proverbs 20:30, Proverbs 28:23, 2 Corinthians 7:8-13

Sunday, May 6th

"Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:32-34

Dear Jesus, I love these words that you spoke in the Sermon on the Moun t.  I know you lived them perfectly so when I fail by worrying about my bills or fretting over the loss of some possession, I am comforted that your life covers mine and I am righteous by faith.  Then, I am free to practice what you  preach here.  I can pursue the peace of righteousness as a member of your kingdom instead of anxiously trying to make you work for me in mine.  Help me seek your kingdom for me and others today and help me to relax because there is nothing to worry about in regard to provisions for me and my family.  AMEN

We cannot choose how long we will live.  But by grace we can choose how carefree we will live.

Additional Readings: Matthew 19:28-30, Psalm 37

Saturday, May 5th

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Dear Lord Jesus, I have rarely seen so much insight packed into so few words as there are in this three-part challenge from your Apostle Paul.  Hope does bring joy for me.  Please help me to hope in your promises and not in my circumstances.  Becoming impatient when I am troubled is a challenge for me.  I appreciate being reminded that you have empowered me to be patient and expect me to put your power to work and settle down.  And being faithful in prayer is a gentle breeze blowing away the fog of anxiety that clouds my soul when I forget that I can off load my cares and concerns to you.  Give me more hope, more patience, and more interest in prayer.  In this way, help me fight the good fight of faith.  Thank you for loving and forgiving me through it all.  AMEN

When the rubber meets the road, that's when you see what your spiritual tires are made of.  If your tread is wearing thin, go to Jesus for some new tires.

Additional Readings: Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Friday, May 4th

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Dear Heavenly Father, this verse is counter to everything I have naturally thought since I was conceived!  Since the day I was born, my brain has been collating, evaluating, and mastering the data of the world around me.  So often it helps me to do the right thing and be effective in many situations.  I have learned to trust my own perception and understanding of big and little situations around me.  But I do not naturally trust you and the way you guide my life.  I don't naturally trust your promise to turn out everything for my good.  I start out every day trying to be in control.  That's why in my soul, I rejoice in this little famous verse.  It frees me from the burden of trying to figure everything out and it confronts my desire to judge every situation with raw reason.  Dear Father, help me trust you today in those matters that overwhelm me and give me the supernatural power and wisdom to be the child that lets you drive.  AMEN

Trusting God makes us a childlike adult, deciding to follow God into selfless sacrifice for others and not scream like a child until we get our way.

Additional Readings: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, Romans 1:33-36, 1 Corinthians 13, James 4:13-15

Thursday, May 3rd

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:12-13

Dear Jesus, every morning I must decide how I will dress that day.  Sometimes it gives me a low level of anxiety because the clothes I thought would fit the day are not clean.  I have to settle for something less than I hoped.  But I see in this passage that you have filled the closet in my heart with a wardrobe that never gets dirty.  It's the virtues that come from your love which your Holy Spirit keeps laundered and hanging in my soul.  Help me to dress with this patience, humility, forgiveness, and compassion.  So, when others encounter me today they do not remember what I was wearing on my torso as much as they remember what I wore on my soul.  Give me your grace that enables me to dress for loving and truthful living.  AMEN

God has given us all amazing clothes to wear on our hearts.  Make sure you change into them throughout the day.

Additional Readings: Philippians 2:3-1, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 6:10-20

Wednesday, May 2nd

"Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body."  Ephesians 4:25

Dear Lord, your grace has freed me from the guilt and shame that come from my sins.  You also make me trust that you still love me and will bless my life as a restored child of God.  With the strength and confidence that come from grace, make me an honest member of your body, the church.  First, help me be honest with myself so I do not live in a "make believe" world about who I really am.  Next, make me honest with my family and friends so they really know what they are dealing with when they interact with me.  Fin ally, make me honest with even the most casual stranger so they learn that your gospel is creating real, honest people around them.  Help me promote faith and trust in every arena of my life so I help you retore humanity to living in the light of love and truth.  AMEN

Live in truth at all costs.  Love without counting the cost!

Additional Readings:  Psalm 15, Psalm 51, John 4:21-24, Romans 12:3-21, Ephesians 4:17-32

Tuesday May 1st

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:7-8

Jesus, with so many changes in the world, in my nation's political climate, and in my church and family it is so easy for me to feel insecure and lost.  You have brought to yourself so many people who were significant to me.  You have moved so many strong Christian friends away from me, too.  In trying to fix my insecure heart, I easily want to "check out" by daydreaming about how things used to be.  And yet, you want me to live today secure in your love and truth.  You never change.  You were my rock in those "good ole days" and you will be my rock now.  Help me boldly step out into the future by remembering you are with me and that the leaders you have given and taken away have left a piece of themselves in my heart to guide me.  AMEN

Since Jesus and his promise to re-unite us one day never changes; I can live today in hopeful anticipation.

Additional Readings: Psalm 106, 1 Corinthians 16:15-18, Hebrews 13:7-8

Monday, April 30th

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. - Proverbs 31:10,27-28

Dear Lord Jesus, it is so easy for every one of us married people to take our partner for granted. It is easier to think of what they aren't instead of the blessing that they are.  Fill us with thankful hearts so we reflect honor and gratitude in how we speak to and about each other.  Help us remember that encouragement and praise work so much better than criticism and manipulation.  Make our marriages what you have always intended, a reflection of your relationship with your church, one of holy and unconditional devotion and love.  AMEN

God always intended marriage to be a huge thing in our lives. It’s the first big blessing he gave Adam after making him.

 Additional Readings: Ruth 3:11, Proverbs 12:4, 18:22, 19:14, 31:10-31, Ephesians 5:21-33

Sunday, April 29th

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. - Zephaniah 3:17

Dear Heavenly Father, I know how I gushed over my kids and grandkids when they were little. Even now I can't disconnect from them.  As their lives go, so goes my life.  It is very comforting for me to know that you feel the same way about me, especially when I read in this verse that you don't just watch me, but you work hard to make my life better.  By grace alone you have chosen me as your child and I feel your love in so many ways.  Help me to live in the confidence of knowing I am in your arms and that through your Son you are gaga over me.  AMEN

God loves us more than we could ever imagine.  If we can imagine that he loves us at all, we won't be able to stop smiling.

Additional Readings: Isaiah 63:7-19, Luke 12:4-12, Ephesians 3:14-21

Saturday, April 28th

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! - Romans 11:33

 Dear Lord, just when I think I have my life under control, you lift your pinky and change everything for me.  Just when I think I can see what you are doing and where you are taking me, I realize I have no idea what is next for me. I know you are behind it all.  I just don't know what you have in store for me.  I join Paul in saying, your wisdom and judgments are past finding out.  Instead, I will sit quietly in the back seat and quit asking, "Are we there yet?"  After all, I no longer know exactly where my earthly life is going.  As long as you will be there with me, I will be at home.  Thank you for the peace that passes human understanding.  AMEN

We do not know what tomorrow holds.  But we know who holds tomorrow.

 Additional Readings: Genesis 12-25, Psalm 139, Acts 17:22-34, Revelation 20-22

Friday, April 27th

"Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - Hebrews 6:9-10

Dear Lord, I hear comfort and yet urgency in your words above.  First of all, I am comforted that you look down from heaven and see my struggle to love and serve people for you.  You are pleased with any meager fruit produced by faith through me.  Secondly, I hear the urgency with which you call me to take my faith life seriously as the most important part of my life.  Oh Father, work in me the desire and the power to live a godly life, so my life will be a thank offering to you and your Son.  Do not leave me stranded to take on my temptations by myself.  I need you every hour to be my strength and my shield. AMEN

God yells at us because we are his starters not the benchwarmers. 

Additional Reading: Joshua 1, Hebrews 10:19-39, Revelation 2:8-11

Thursday, April 26th

Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” - Joshua 6:1-5

Dear heavenly Father, you put Joshua and his people in an impossible situation so that you would be their only deliverer.  And, oh, how you delivered them.  Help me to remember this story when you put me in difficult places. Help me to remember that you love to be the knight in shining armor for all of your children.  Help me to pray confidently and to look to heaven expectantly for your fantastic solutions.  Give me hope and courage to be gentle and patient with everyone around me when I am facing a scary event.  Make me like Joshua because without your help I will sin the way cowards do.  Thank you for never cowering from anything I am frightened by.  AMEN

Jesus ain't afraid of nuttin!  And he lives inside of you!  Don't forget to let him lead you!

Additional Reading: Exodus 33 and 34, Psalm 46, Mark 4:35-41
 

Wednesday, April 25th

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. - Proverbs 14:30

Dear Jesus, you gave yourself so little of everything on this planet when you were here.  You only lived 33 years.  You never owned a home or had a wife or children.  You had no bank account, no fancy toys, and not much of a vacation ever.  And yet, you were the most contented and tranquil person we will ever know. Thank you for not ever giving way to envy.  I have all those things you did not afford yourself and I struggle with a continual lust for more.  Be my Savior from the power of envy and give me the tranquility that comes from abiding faith in the goodness of your Father.  AMEN

Envy will pack her bags and catch the first flight out of your heart when you invite Jesus over for a visit.

 Additional Reading: 1 Kings 21 and 22, Proverbs 17:22, Luke 12:13-21, Philippians 4:10-13

Tuesday, April 24th

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:8-9

Dear Jesus, you have shown love for me by giving me life and salvation, friends that many people long for but never seem to get, family that loves and respects me even though they really, really, know me and my scruples, and work that allows me to have an impact for good in society. Protect me from the insatiable appetite for more that prevents me from finding contentment in what you graciously give.  Oh Jesus, give me the secret of contentment by allowing me to want what I have and not have all I want.  Be the Savior of my attitude as well as my soul.  And then, as a changed person, make me generous like you.   AMEN

Contentment is a God given state of mind that is unaffected by any circumstances.

Additional Reading: Psalm 73, Psalm 100, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:4-13
 

Monday, April 23rd

God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

Dear heavenly Father, too often I try to be all grown up in my heart.  I try to live with independent strength that I can be proud of. I unwittingly think you would be proud of me, too.  But here in this passage you teach me that you are proud of me when I know my weakness and reach out for your strong hand to help.  Being grown up is not being equal to you.  It’s living as your child just as I did with the earthly father and mother  you gave me. Help me to embrace my weaknesses today and to depend on you for help at every turn.  Walk me safely across my "parking lot" where there are "cars" that would otherwise run me over.  AMEN

People who know their need for God are among the most enlightened people on the planet.

Additional Reading: Galatians 2:20, Romans 7-8, Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,
 

Sunday, April 22nd

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. -Luke 12:6-7

Dear heavenly Father, it gives me great comfort to know that you remember every sparrow and that I am worth far more to you than any of them.  I can face today with all of its challenges when I know you are behind me planning to bless me.  Since I don't need to worry about myself, help me to seize every moment and make it count for the good of others.  I want people to be better for having known me today and not worse.  So, help me crucify my selfish desire to be served and make me a servant of all.  AMEN

When you know God chose you to be on his team, you are not anxious about any game you might have to play.

Additional Reading: Joshua 1:7-9, 1 Samuel 14:1-14, Matthew 10:24-33, Matthew 28:18-20.

Sunday, April 22nd

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. - Luke 12:6-7

Dear heavenly Father, it gives me great comfort to know that you remember every sparrow and that I am worth far more to you than any of them.  I can face today with all of its challenges when I know you are behind me planning to bless me.  Since I don't need to worry about myself, help me to seize every moment and make it count for the good of others.  I want people to be better for having known me today and not worse.  So, help me crucify my selfish desire to be served and make me a servant of all.  AMEN

When you know God chose you to be on his team, you are not anxious about any game you might have to play.

Additional Reading: Joshua 1:7-9, 1 Samuel 14:1-14, Matthew 10:24-33, Matthew 28:18-20,
 

Saturday, April 21st

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. - Acts 20:24

Dear Jesus, you raised up a giant of a man when you made Saul into Paul (Paul means “small” or “humble”).  The fact that he could honestly say that his life was nothing to him when he addressed the Ephesian elders while he was on his way to Jerusalem fully knowing he'd be arrested and sentenced to death, amazes me.  Every day, I think about staying alive as long as I can.  In fact, I spend so much time thinking about how to stay alive that I neglect thinking about why I would want to lose my life for the sake of your gospel.  My soul is safe and heaven bound.  Help me to throw myself into godly living and gospel outreach without worrying about how long I stay on this sinking ship.  Give me the peace of faith-filled abandon from concern.  AMEN

Faith leads us to spend our lives not save them.   

Additional Reading:  John 12:24-26, Acts 21:13, Titus 4:7, 1 Corinthians 4:7-12

Friday, April 20th

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  - Galatians 6:14

Dear heavenly Father, as a husband it is so easy to try to find glory for myself in my wife.  As a dad, it is tempting to find glory for me in my children and how well they perform. As an employee, it is easy for me to long for the glory of promotion and raises. As a worker I am tempted to find glory in the work I produce.  As an American, I have been "cultured" into believing that my car and my home give me glory.  I was made to have glory, only it was always supposed to come from you. You want me to feel glory in being made special by you and in being loved so much that you would save me through your Son.  All the other gifts only point to your glory making grace.  Your grace makes me glorious.  I am special because you thought I was worth creating and then buying me back. Help me to find glory in the thought that you chose me.  Give me the strength to get off the spinning wheel of chasing earthly glory.  You have made me for heaven.  Help me to live for heaven, too.  AMEN

 Blessings are a sign that God is there for us.  The sign never is the thing.  The thing is what the sign points to.

 Additional Reading: Romans 12:3-8, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 2:6-15, 1 Peter 2:9-10,

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