Friday September 7th

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. - Luke 15:21-24

Dear Jesus, I love this parable that you told and I love this moment in the parable.  The father's love for the son takes over the whole scene.  It makes me realize that you and the Father are consumed with me as a child of yours rather than waiting to reject me when I fall.  I am all too aware of my sins.  It is your grace and love longing for my return that I often forget.  Fill me with this grace and help me to live today as if I am in the same celebratory moment with you as this son was.  You are throwing a party for me in your grace.  Let's celebrate the salvation of my soul together!  AMEN

"God's grace reconciled him to us, now let it reconcile us to him."

Thursday, September 6th

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Dear Jesus, it is not normal to welcome disappointments and difficulties.  It is not normal to believe that there really is good to come out of a relationship difficulty.  No one I have ever met has told me that they like their health problems because ....  So, when you say that all these "abnormal" things in my life are working something good for me, I have to listen in a concentrated way.  Give me an open heart to genuinely see the spiritual and eternal benefit of all these so called "negatives."  Give me the grace to believe that you are working great things into my life through the crosses you choose for me.  Make me trust you from a heart that understands your greater good.  And when I must attend the interment of one of my own earthly dreams, give me the strength not to erect a monument over its grave and obsess so much over the loss that I do not get on with the life the you have chosen for me.  AMEN

"Through difficult relationships and circumstances God works to expose your heart so you will seek the grace that can only be found in him." - Paul David Tripp

Wednesday, September 5th

Jesus fed over 5,000 people on the east side of the Lake of Galilee. Overnight he left with his disciples to the other side of the lake.

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. They found Jesus on the other side of the lake. Jesus told them, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” - John 6:23-27

Dear Jesus, I am so closely tied to the material world that I would have been just like those people.  Once you bless me I am right back at your feet begging for more food, more creature comforts, more temporal security.  I love the tangible gifts you give to me more than the spiritual.  It is hard to admit, but it is true.  Help me to want you and the spiritual gift of eternal life more than the earthly things you freely give to me and my family.  I believe you have already given me this gift that lasts.  Help me to not just say it is meaningful to me.  Instead make it my greatest treasure in the deepest place of my heart.  AMEN

"Do you love God for the life he has given you in his Son or the game of 'Life' he allows you to play for a short time on earth?  He wants to be loved for both."

Tuesday, September 4th

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26

Dear Jesus, Yes, I believe what you told Martha that day at the grave of Lazarus.  I believe that my dearest loved ones who have fallen asleep in the faith are still living with you, but sometimes I miss them so much that I cannot stop grieving for them.  I need your help by your Holy Spirit to let your words be the thing that makes me happy that they are now happy with you.  They are already living past the sad events surrounding their earthly end but I get stuck reliving them.  They are exploring new heights in heaven while I am running on the treadmill of loss and loneliness without them.  I sometimes think that I am worried that we will forget them here.  Maybe I am also afraid that they would forget me too.  Oh, Jesus, your promise of a final and long lasting reunion is my only hope. Thanks for the silver lining of redemption and heaven.  Give me freedom from my grief so I can live well in my remaining days here before we are reunited in heaven.  AMEN

"Grief shows the deep value of our personal relationships.  Faith shows the deeper value of a Savior who really made all things new."

Monday, September 3rd

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore, pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73 - Selected Verses

Dear heavenly Father, it is very easy for me to envy the wealthy carefree people around me that have no interest in you or living in repentance and faith.  Sometimes you seem to bless them more than your struggling believers.  It is comforting to know that a thousand years before your Son walked the earth that Asaph had the same inner struggle.  And I love the solution you gave him.  You are working in every life and we should never judge your justice until the end.  That's when it all will make sense.  I can live with your answer to wait because I know you gave up your son for me.  If you saved me like that, I know you can be trusted when you temporarily bless a godless person.  Help me to see my own worldliness when I am chaffed by their success and help me to want them to experience grace and not justice.  Make me a patient, loving friend instead of an envious judge.  AMEN

"Grief is good when it mourns what God hates, but it is dangerous when it questions God's goodness and love." - Paul David Tripp

Sunday, September 2nd

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Dear Jesus, this is a hard one. I have never been to heaven and no one I know who is still on earth has either. So, we all get tied to the things of this earth as if they constitute wealth and security. But in fact both savers and spenders are fools if they do not consider that it will all be removed from their lives eventually. You are my greatest treasure and I already have all of you. Help me to live in peace knowing I have everything when I have you. And give me the wisdom and courage to speak to others about you. I want to lay up treasures in heaven and there is no greater treasure to you than people. AMEN

"Hoarding money on earth is like feeling really rich when you win at Monopoly. At the end, both winner and loser walk away and re-enter reality."

Saturday, September 1st

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. - Proverbs 25:2

Dear Jesus, our culture has lied to us by making us think that we have a right to know what is going on in everyone else's lives.  They love to make a story out of the evil things others do.  They keep the attention off of you and the powerful grace you are spreading everywhere.   And I have suckered for it.  As all of my peers, I have developed an appetite for tantalizing news that distracts me from more wholesome thinking and living.  Give me the power to diet from all of the "breaking stories".  Help me to settle down to serving real relationships with real durable love and commitment. Give me the strength to live my own reality with you in the middle of it all covering my sins and erasing guilt and shame.  Amen

"The devil likes to get us to say "wow" at bizarre sin.  God likes to get us to say "wow" at redeeming, purifying, changing grace."

Friday, August 31st

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8-10

Oh God, it is counter intuitive for me that if I give up excuses, denial and hiding I will find relief, a clean conscience and peace.  My natural mind wants to fix what I have broken without any help because that way I could be proud of my own power to improve.  But there is no fixing what I have done.  I am a sinner and I can point to several ways I have sinned recently.  I admit them.  I am sorry.  I need your forgiveness and cleansing!  And ... I believe your promise.  In Christ you have removed them all!  I am out of hiding and I can live honestly before you and others.  Thank you for the light of true spiritual repentance and renewal.  Help those clinging to their sin to come out of their closet too, not to celebrate but to repent and be washed by the grace you so freely share.  AMEN

"Repentance is created by God through his promise to forgive."

Thursday, August 30th

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. - Romans 12:15-16

Dear Lord, it is so hard for us sinners to get out of our own little worlds to truly and deeply rejoice with those who have happy things going on their lives and to truly and deeply hurt out loud with those who are experiencing struggle and tragedy.  But your Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts drives us with this passage to make sure that others are not alone in their joy or their sorrow.  Give me the mojo I need to make me "be there" with people whom I know are experiencing one of these two extremes.  I don't want to avoid feeling their pain or their joy because of my selfish instincts to protect myself.  Use your love to make me really live the fully connected life. AMEN

"Christ's love eradicates the loneliness caused by success and failure."

Wednesday, August 29th

“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. - Leviticus 19:18

Dear Jesus, the temptation is there to find subtle ways to get even with those close to me while I rehearse all the reasons they deserve it. It's easy to justify withdrawing love from them if they are careless or selfish around me. My sins may not be news worthy but I know you see my conniving ways. Forgive me and by your grace reach down and make me emotionally mature enough to act in love and not revenge in even the slightest ways. I want my family and friends to know that you are alive and well by what they see in me. AMEN

"Selflessness and aspirin have this in common: they both reduce pain.

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