Tuesday, August 28th

"When you pray, do not be like the pagans, but pray ... 'thy kingdom come!'" - Matthew 6:6,10

Oh, heavenly Father, I am tired of being on the throne.  I willingly yield it to you. Just a warning though; there is more to get done and to fix in my little kingdom than one man could ever do.  I thought I was man enough to do it all, but alas, I was not.  The harder I tried, the messier it got.  I'm afraid to throw so much at you since you are already ruling so many other things, but then again, you are God.  You can handle it and you tell me that you want to handle it too.  Now that I am not all stressed out running the show, what small parts do you want me to concentrate on?  I like this.  I will help you as you lead my life, instead of allowing you to help me as I lead myself.  Thy kingdom come ... AMEN

"There is room for only one king in the throne room of your heart."

Monday, August 27th

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. - Romans 12:10-13

Lord, strengthen my devotion to family, especially aging relatives who need so much more of my support and the young who take more energy and guidance. Help me to be patient in the afflictions caused by everyday life and the aging of my own body.  Help me to day dream not so much about what more affluence would look like for me, but about what more love would like for others. Give me ideas of someone new that I could practice hospitality for.  Fill me with a servant's heart that changes the lives of others with your warm presence working through my imperfect life. AMEN

"Wealth and health that serve only ourselves are blessings that never reach their intended potential."

Sunday, August 26th

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-8

Dear Jesus, it is liberating to know that since you have come into my life that my attitude and emotions are no longer a captive of my circumstances.  With you in my jail cell, I can choose to live like you in humility and love even when I feel slighted, hurt, vengeful or angry.  It is very comforting to know that I can acknowledge those feelings and the people and incidents that cause them and then simply fold them up and put them away in a box while I lose myself in loving everyone, even my enemies.  It is invigorating to think that nothing and no one can really dictate how I feel except you and your promises.  Help me to remember all of this when I step out of my home today because I am used to forgetting it around 10:00 am every day.  Give others the light of your love by helping me to remember to choose a good attitude. AMEN

"As a child of God you don't just sit and wait for hope.  No, grace enables you to get up and live in hope." - Paul David Tripp

Saturday, August 25th

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

Lord Jesus, I marvel at how so many of the things you give all people are the same.  We all have the same air to breath, the same birth, life, death process.  We all have the benefits of water and light and four seasons. (Okay, well some of us have two.) We all have the same moral law written in our hearts and the same bible as an anchor for our souls. And here you remind me that we all have the same you.  You are the same for my generation and me as you were for my parents, grandparents and all the others before me.  Today, I want to be so aware of how we are all equally gifted by you that I kick my envy and striving for more to the curb while I lose myself in giving people something extra because you made sure they encountered me.  AMEN

"You will never be God's greatest gift to anyone, but you will be the icing on the cake for a few."

Friday, August 24th

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! - Romans 11:33

Dear Heavenly Father, when I was just knee high to a grasshopper and my parents took us on our annual summer two-week vacation, I knew very little about the cost, the preparations, the map or the blessings they were intending us to receive from their planned journey. I was free to concern myself with who got the window seat and if my little sister's blanket was touching me or not. I really was just along for the ride. I think back on those times with great peace.  I was well parented.  I had it made.  I fall back on those feelings of contentment when my present journey gets crazy.  I have had very little to do with so much about my journey.  I am in your car on the journey you have chosen for me.  Keep me in the back seat while you drive!  Help me to look out the window and take in the countryside because you are watching the road.  Give me the peace of a well parented child.  And when you surprise me with a challenge help me anticipate the blessing beyond the present struggle so I do not lose hope.  AMEN

"God is driving your life.  The sooner you quit jerking the wheel the sooner you both start enjoying it more."

Thursday, August 23rd

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

Dear Father,

Thank you for promising that you have given me your Son to fellowship with in the word and prayer. I have his support and help to make it through this life and to the end with my faith intact.  I am convinced that if you did not give me the help I need from Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who work through your word and the church, I would be a wandering sheep who traveled from one hill to another far away from you and the truth.  It gives me peace knowing that your plans and schemes to keep me close to you are endless.  

AMEN

Sheep who are prone to wander underestimate the creative and radical methods God will use to ultimately bring them home.

Additional Reading: Luke 15

Wednesday, August 22nd

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:8-9

Dear heavenly Father,

Today I am not only thankful that you are so patient with me but also that you are patient with all those I love and hold dear who have wandered away from you.  I know that you are patient with the whole world and that makes me trust your love even more.  Make me patient like you so I am there for everyone no matter how far they have fallen.  

AMEN

Patience is the first leaf sprouting out of mercy.

Additional Reading: Matthew 5:2-12

Tuesday, August 21st

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. ... The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. - Genesis 2

Dear God, marriage is your creation, your institution, your beautiful gift to humanity.  And humanity has made a mess and a mockery of it ever since the fall.  In my generation, it is treated as the creation of humans who can abide by it or ignore it on a whim.  I am confessing the sins of our entire generation.  We have lost our way in regard to this beautiful creation of yours.  Help me to live in reverent thankfulness in regard to my own marriage and to give that solitary person nearest to me the satisfaction of a happy marriage.  Give me the insight to meet the needs of my wife so that she enjoys marriage as you wanted her to.  

AMEN

Great human beings are not those who neglect marriage to conquer some worldly goal.  They are the humble servants who strive to make God and family happy in God pleasing ways.

Additional Reading – 1 Peter 3:1-7, Ephesians 5:21-33

Monday, August 20th

"You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.  Genesis 3:4-7

Dear Heavenly Father,

The devil is a beast in conversations with my soul.  He calls you a liar and puts thoughts of distrust in my heart.  At the same time, he tempts me to be independent and to decide for myself what is good for me and what is right or wrong.  When I fall for his tales, I find myself naked with guilt and shame.  Oh, please lead me not into temptation by him.  I am no match for him.   Hold your cross in front of my eyes to clothe me in its shadows.  I have never found anything else that will free me from the guilt and shame of having acted selfishly.  Thank you for this deep hearted salvation.  

 AMEN

Only with God in our corner can we stay in the ring with Satan.

 Additional Reading: James 1:2-18, , James 4:7-10

Sunday, August 19th

Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for reminding me of the terribly temporary nature of this world and everything which make sentimental. Make me sentimentally attached to your word and the insights they teach me. Today, bring to mind the verses you want me to have for the challenges and opportunities that lay before me. Do not leave me alone with my temporal things. 

AMEN

Sooner or later everything except God and people end up being sold at garage sale values.

Additional Reading: Psalm 1, Psalm 119

Saturday, August 18th

I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God." -Isaiah 43:11-12

Dear Heavenly Father,

There is so much pressure today in the news, in high schools, universities, and in the general public to believe that all faiths are the creation of human minds springing from our culture and our need for security.  These voices want to mute the offensive and beautiful message that you are the only true God and that you want all humanity back under your redeeming grace.  Help me not to believe the muting lie that all faiths are equal.  You are the only God for me and everyone else.  Give me boldness to challenge everyone who is lost around me with your confrontational love.  

AMEN

When you know you are loved by someone perfectly, you will show it by your boldness in defending their reputation, God included.

 Additional Reading: Isaiah 8:16-22, Romans 1:18-32

Friday, August 17th

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. - Ephesians 6:10

Dear Jesus,

 I always seem to get myself into trouble when I feel strong and confident.  I believe it’s because, too often, I’m feeling strong in myself without you.  Then, by myself, I do something rambunctious and I hurt others or myself.  I want to be strong in you.  I want your gentle, firm strength to speak the truth forcefully but in love, to be a support for others but not in my own strength, to be a beacon for the weak and troubled but not to be their Savior.  Will you give me that strength today so that when I am weak I am strong?  

AMEN

True spiritual strength is a gift from Christ and not a force or a philosophy.

Additional Reading: Colossians 2

Thursday, August 16th

Give us today our daily bread. - Luke 11:3

Dear Lord Jesus,

I confess that I spend too much time living in the past and evaluating all my decisions and disappointments.  When I dwell on the past, I’m not looking up to you and what you promise me today.  The past has no bearing on the fact that you are going to give me what I need for today.  Help me to let go of the past when I pray the Lord's Prayer, "Give me today my daily bread."  Thank you that you have covered the past, even yesterday, with your life, death, and resurrection. Your life cuts my life free from my failures.  The release enables me to enjoy a good day under the sunshine of your grace.  I know you will bless my body and soul with all that I need for today.

AMEN

When you look up to Jesus, you can see past every dark cloud.

Additional Reading: Hebrews 13:5-5, Matthew 6:19-34, Psalm 37

Wednesday, August 15th

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26

Dear heavenly Father,

Although I do many things to love and care for the body you have given me, it’s going to fail me.  Up until now, it has only partially failed me but I know  the hour is coming when no matter how badly I want to stay here, my body will check out on my soul. But you will never check out on my soul.  You have redeemed me and you promise to raise me up with a restored and renewed body on the last day.  You are my portion and my strength forever, oh God.  You will hold me close to you even when my body will make it hard for others to look at me.  This makes me love you more than life itself.  

AMEN

Our souls never age, never die, have no gender or race and are dearly loved by the one who created them.

Additional Reading: Luke 23:39-43, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

Tuesday, August 14th

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. - 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Dear Jesus,

I want to stand up for the truth and help sinners find their way back to you, but I do not want to be a rude know it all that always picks a fight with everyone. Help me to set my heart on winning people over with gentle prodding instead of clubbing them with my frustration.  When I am with my family, help me to encourage them so they feel their heart overflowing.  When I need to defend your truth help me to protect their feelings while I correct them so they are attracted by the beauty of love as much as he brightness of truth.

AMEN

Love is powerful, gentle, and life changing, but never brash or rude.

Additional Reading: Galatians 5:22-23, 6:1-5, Philippians 4:4-9

Monday, August 13th

Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people especially those that belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6:10

Dear Jesus,

Today, help me see my deep connection to the entire human family and to own the happiness and needs of fellow humans as my own personal mission. Help me to leave behind selfish ambitions and singular, personal goals that are only all about me. In my heart set aside your bride, the church, as my own sacred family so that I deeply serve every believer I know from a mind enlightened by your grace and truth, not counting our differences as worthy of a passing glance.

AMEN

No one is too small or too far gone for Jesus to love them through us.

Additional Reading: Ecclesiastes 11, Mathew 25:31-46, James 2:1-13

Sunday, August 12th

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:20-21

Dear Lord Jesus,

In recent months I have had to sit by and watch as the bodies of my nearest and dearest friends failed them until finally their soul was released to you.  It’s the most difficult experience in our lives.  It reminds me that my turn to let go of my borrowed space is nearer.  If it were not for your short life, death, and resurrection, I would be hopeless and unable to enjoy anything.  The thought of the end would rob me of joy.  Your gracious gift of rescue is my dearest friend and it becomes more precious to me as each loved one passes.  Help me to live in the hope of heaven today and to reflect this hope to all those who are suffering from the deep disappointment that comes from the loss of a dear one.

AMEN

Be happy.  Because of Jesus we will have the time of our lives once the time of our lives is over.

Additional Reading:  Luke 21:25-28, Hebrews 2:5-18

Saturday, August 11th

My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:20

Dear Father in heaven,

What Paul told the Philippians is true for me, my family, and my friends.  You will meet all of our needs.  You won't hold back because of our sins and you won't miss any of our needs by being distracted.  So, I have chosen to give up worrying about anything today.  I give all my needs and wants to you.  I know you care for me and I know you will come through at exactly the right time.  Help my friends and family to let go of worry also.  Give them peace that their mental mulling squirrel cage could never give.  Help us all find the peace that comes from trust.

AMEN

God never feels unprepared to meet our needs.

Additional Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Friday, August 10th

Oh Lord, teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom ... Establish the work of our hands, yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90

 Dear heavenly Father,

You have already planned the length of my life. Sometimes, I live as if I will be here forever and I know deep down that’s not true. Help me to do the right things and the important things today, so that this day, which otherwise seems insignificant, will take its proper place in a meaningful life. Use your supernatural power to make even the insignificant moments to have an impact down the road in a positive way. And I pray for all of my friends and family that are between jobs.  Remind them that you have their next job waiting for them and that you will make today meaningful even though they are not employed by some human entity.  

 AMEN

 For a believer every day is a gift exchange with God.

 Additional Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-3

Thursday, August 9th

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

Dear Jesus,

Even your apostle Paul, who was inspired to teach us things unseen, lived his life without knowing many answers to his deepest questions. You tell us all that we need to know, but not all that we want to know.  We cannot handle the answers to every question.  Help me to accept this and then to let go of all the unanswered questions in my life.  It’s enough just to know that you are the Author, the Provider, the Savior, and the welcoming party at the end.  I want to rest in faith and not perfect knowledge.  I give to you all the stress of trying to make sense out of tragedy.  When I get to where you are, you can tell me more.  And when I get there, I still won't need to know everything.  Just to know you more than today will be enough.  

AMEN

Wanting to know why instead of wanting to know love is a major character flaw in us all.

Additional Reading: Galatians 5, 1 John 4