Friday, May 18th

Whoever would foster love will cover over an offense. But whoever repeats the matter will separate close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to be that guy who fosters love not only between others and me but between all people and their friends. This passage makes me think before I tell anyone about someone else’s mistakes.  Help me to leave the sins and mistakes of others unmentioned so they are not left lonely as others think negatively about them because of my gossip. Put a guard over my mouth and a peace in my soul as I encourage grace and loyalty between friends and family. Amen

Love delights to see other people grow in their friendship with one another.

Additional Readings: 2 Samuel 15, James 3

Thursday, May 17th

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. - 1 Peter 2:2

Dear Jesus, I naturally crave many things, like recreation, financial stability, praise, money, a nice car, and a nice home. I naturally desire to be right or at least to be thought to be right. I naturally desire the affection of others. But I do not naturally seek the pure spiritual milk of your word. Even though I have tasted how wonderful it is to get pure truth, I often grow bored with it.  it is hard to admit.  I have noticed that when I neglect your word I often regress in my attitude.  I get grumpy and petty.  My soul seems like it is bogged down in fog.  But your moral truth burns off the fog of my generation's confusion about right and wrong. Your grace washes away the gooey guilt of self-righteousness. Once I get back into the word I feel so much better.  Oh Jesus, make me hungry for your word so that I grow up in my salvation without interruption.  Amen

The word of God is spiritual health food.  A steady diet makes us strong and resilient when life comes at us fast.

Additional Readings: Psalm 119, John 8:31-32, Colossians 3:12-17, Hebrews 4:12-13

Wednesday, May 16th

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. - Galatians 3:23-25

 Dear Jesus, it is so easy to see the Christian faith as a set of theological precepts and rules to govern our lives. But what you have done by bursting forth from heaven and living a perfect life for me has rendered all religious rules obsolete for producing righteousness. Your sacrifice has removed my fear of punishment too. Now I live by your love. Your moral commands are now something that free me from myself and give me a way to know that I am pleasing you. All other rules are just guides that help me learn to love. They do not threaten or define me. Sometimes I even need to break those man-made rules in order to show love for someone you put in my life. Help me to know the difference between godly love by breaking a man-made rule and simply using my freedom as an excuse to be rebellious. And help me to be a lover of all people because I am a lover of you, oh God. AMEN

 God's love, shown to us in Christ, makes us trust him so much that we want to do what pleases him even when it's hard or unpopular.

 Additional Readings: Luke 6:1-11, Romans 13:10, Galatians 5:1-12

Tuesday, May 15th

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. - Ephesians 1:3-6

Dear heavenly Father, when I read the passage above with my heart wide open, it occurs to me that you are telling a story about me and how you chose me from eternity, saved me in my lifetime and still plan to bless me from now on.  You include me in your story because you carry me in your heart even when I am an embarrassment.  You love me 1000 times more than my earthly father did.  Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.  My heart is full of your fatherly love.  It amazes me that you are pleased to you in your heart to choose me, of all people, to learn about your Son and believe.  AMEN

 When you know your heavenly Dad loves you, you can face anything life has waiting for you.

 Additional Readings: Psalm 23, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, 1 John 3:1-3

Monday, May 14th

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:32

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the hard things in my life make me wonder if you are there or if you have good plans for me.  Then I remember this verse and think, "If you gave up your own Son for me, surely you have my best interest at heart. It's just that you haven't brought the "good" to its completion yet. Help me to practice my faith by waiting with sublime faith that you have everything planned for my good, instead of fretting and doubting and making others stressed with words and actions that come from my own anxiety.  Give me the strength I need to live above my natural inclinations. AMEN

God is working everything out for your good whether you enjoy peace from that thought or not. Cash in on the blessing of faith now.

 Additional Readings: Genesis 22:1-19, Malachi 3:17-18, Matthew 6:22-34, Romans 8

Sunday, May 13th

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”  “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”   “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” - Matthew 17:24-27

Dear Jesus, I usually think of taxes as something I have to pay, but you show me in the same way you showed Peter that you give me what I need to pay my taxes in this world.  Since I know you will provide for my tax bill, help me to live free from worry or the begrudging spirit that makes me despise government, so I can be positive and glow with the hope that comes from being in your kingdom.  Thank you for the deeply flawed government you have given me as an American.  It is my government as a gift from you, warts and all!  And finally, if you can pull a coin from a fish for your friend Peter, I trust you can find money from wild places to help me in my needs from now until I step into heaven. So, I will live in peace and freedom. AMEN

If Jesus will use a fish to give a dollar to a friend, anticipate some wild stories in your own life about his provisions.

Additional Readings: Deuteronomy 8:1-5, Luke 5:1-11, Romans 13:1-7, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Sunday, May 13th

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”  “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”   “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” - Matthew 17:24-27

 Dear Jesus, I usually think of taxes as something I have to pay, but you show me in the same way you showed Peter that you give me what I need to pay my taxes in this world.  Since I know you will provide for my tax bill, help me to live free from worry or the begrudging spirit that makes me despise government, so I can be positive and glow with the hope that comes from being in your kingdom.  Thank you for the deeply flawed government you have given me as an American.  It is my government as a gift from you, warts and all!  And finally, if you can pull a coin from a fish for your friend Peter, I trust you can find money from wild places to help me in my needs from now until I step into heaven. So, I will live in peace and freedom. AMEN

 If Jesus will use a fish to give a dollar to a friend, anticipate some wild stories in your own life about his provisions.

 Additional Readings: Deuteronomy 8:1-5, Luke 5:1-11, Romans 13:1-7, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Saturday, May 12th

I pray that you, being rooted and established in Christ love, may have power together with all of God's people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:17-19

Dear Heavenly Father, I awakened this morning, as always, with conditions placed on my love for others. Unconsciously, I put them in different classes, some deserving my love more than others. It's like they are on a huge bell curve.  I know this is wrong.  But without your supernatural, unconditional love working in me, I will be stuck here all day. So, fill me with your love that makes me forget whether I like someone or not. And give me at least one moment today that I consciously choose to love someone that would have been low on my conditional "love scale." Work in me the love that is wider, deeper, and higher than my mind and heart. Amen

 The heart of Christ is to love without discrimination.

Friday, May 11th

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. - Proverbs 18:2

 Dear Lord, give me the grace today to not so much seek to be understood as to understand. Help me to honor the fact that you have given me two ears and one mouth and to trust that I can do more with my ears as I listen with the intent to understand.  When I do open my mouth, help me to ask kind and thoughtful questions that reach deeper into the heart of the other person.  After I have fully comprehended what they are feeling, thinking, and saying, then help me to answer in such a way that shows humility and love as I give whatever two cents I have left to give.  AMEN

To seek to understand is the first-fruit of wisdom.

Additional Readings: James 1:16-27, James 3:12-18

Thursday, May 10th

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

 Dear heavenly Father, I sometimes sit and wonder why you do not act more quickly to discipline and punish those who make grave mistakes or commit sins in broad daylight. But I see in this passage that you are practicing the wisdom that you lead me to embrace.  You are perfect in your patience. You even let the mistakes of people work a good plan and ultimately help both the sin maker and sin's victim.  It is to your glory to overlook my offenses and refrain from nagging me all day long with how I have, yet again, failed you.  Now, oh Father, full of love, make me the same kind of wise leader that you are.  Help me to exude patience and to overlook the many ways I could be slighted every day.  Help me focus on the big things like love, restoration, and encouragement.  AMEN

 Eagles do not swat at gnats.  Neither should God's people become petty and picky.

 Additional Readings: Psalm 130, Proverbs 16:32, Colossians 3:12-14,

Wednesday, May 9th

"Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go." – Deuteronomy 1:29-33

Dear heavenly Father, this candid discourse from your servant Moses to the children of his peers, who had left Egypt with him, reminds me how easy it is to have you right there helping me and yet still complain and lose trust.  They had your miraculous deliverance from Egypt. They had signs of your presence every day and still their challenges in the upcoming "Promised Land" made them cower and complain.  I want to learn from their mistakes. I want to be optimistic today in the face of the challenges I am experiencing.  Thanks for forgiving me of my recent grumbling.  Now, pull my eyes toward you and all of the promises you give me that apply to my life and the path you have chosen for me.  Make me a positive influence and joyful servant in my family, my church, and my community.  AMEN

Joyful service to God by meeting one's responsibilities without fear and grumbling is the gift of faith from God.

Additional Readings: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10, Philippians 2:12-17, Jude

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