Wednesday, March 13th

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus 33:11

Dear Father, Joshua was privileged to see so much. He was always right there with Moses. He was the commander of God’s army in the wilderness as Moses lifted his hands while they fought. He was right there with Moses when he went up the mountain to get the 10 Commandments; no one else was with them. He was right there with Moses when you spoke to him face-to-face, as one speaks to a friend. Joshua saw and heart so much as Moses led the people. I can see what you’re doing, dear Father. You were preparing Joshua to lead the people after Moses was dead. Lord God, you have been doing this in my life. I can’t always see your hand, but I know it’s true. I know it’s true, Father, because that’s the kind of God you are. You are the kind of God who never wastes a moment, who never is without a plan, who always is at work to raise me up to do what you’ve called me to do. You have always prepared me for what is in front of me. In fact, dear Father, you have prepared works for me to walk in today. Lord God, thank you for preparing me for this day, this moment, and this work. Use me today to do those works you want me to do. And, Lord, if there is to be a tomorrow, keep on preparing me for those works you would have me do. Amen.

Tuesday, March 12th

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20

Dear Jesus, I have seen in my own life how my friends have influenced me for good or evil. I remember being led by you to make new friends that would help me in my spiritual life. Please help my children and grandchildren to get the truth of this word, so they will choose good friends that will guide them not distract them. More than anything else, make them your friend by pulling their hearts close to you in devotion and prayer. Open their eyes to see wonderful things in your word for their comfort and spiritual strength. Lead them in the paths of righteousness in every relationship they experience. Amen.

One good friend is worth more than a hundred shallow fans.

Monday, March 11th

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18

Dear Jesus, Give me this wisdom from above. I cannot produce it on my own. Make me peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Help me see the supreme value of unity and togetherness. Produce this wisdom between others and me. Make it fun and peaceful for us to live and work together. I want to live in the peaceful fruit of righteousness and help others experience it too.

Godly wisdom always heals, always helps, always unites.

Sunday, March 10th

“Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:9

Lord God, I understand why most of Israel didn’t want to go into the Promised Land. They saw the giants and they were scared. They were afraid of being defeated. They were afraid of being killed. I get it because I am so like this. I look at the so-called giants in my life and I get scared too. I’m not as much afraid of dying as I am afraid of failing. I’m afraid of looking like a fool. I’m afraid of losing people’s esteem or friendship. I’m afraid of all kinds of things and that fear leads me to pull back from doing what I know is the right thing. Lord God, Joshua and Caleb knew that there were things to be scared of, but knew that your command and your promise was bigger than anything else. You had commanded them to go in and you had promised to be with them and to give them the land. Fear should not have been on the table because there was nothing to fear; God was going to do hand the land over into their hands. Lord God, you do the same for me. You have given me commands and amazing promises. You have promised to be with me just as you promised to be with them. You have promised to work through me and to work in my life for my good, just as you did here. Lord God, help me to focus my heart on your commands and promises and not on the “giants” that rise up on my life. Teach me that I have nothing to fear because you are near. Amen.

Saturday, March 9th

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” James 5:15

Dear Father, Prayer is so powerful! You tell me it is. You teach me to pray and even promise the Holy Spirit to those who ask. You teach me to pray and show that it makes a difference. You saved Lot because of Abraham’s prayer. You gave Hezekiah more life because of his prayer. You withheld rain and you sent rain because Elijah prayed. Lord God, prayer is so powerful. Make me, I pray, a person of prayer. Make prayer one of the first things I do. Make prayer one of the most important things that I do. There is nothing better that I can do my efforts, then to ask you to get involved to do what only you can do. Lord God, dear Father in heaven, make me a person of prayer. Amen.

Friday, March 8th

“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him’.” Numbers 27:18-20

Lord God, When you commission a man and he is installed into your service to serve as a pastor, you assure him that you will be with him and keep him. You pour out your Spirit on him and fill him with a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control. Lord God, when you call a an or woman and they are installed into your service in your church, you assure them that you will be with them and keep them. You promise to equip and enable them to do the work to which they have been called. Lord God, today I pray for pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and all who serve your church. Pour out your Spirit on them. Give them tools and the ability that they need to serve you well. Give them the strength to carry out their responsibilities. Give them wisdom to do the work. And Lord, help me to support them, to obey them, and to follow them. Thank you, dear Lord, for those whom you have given me, for those who serve me with the Word. Support and help them as they work for me. Amen.

Thursday, March 7th

“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” 1 Samuel 18:1

Dear Heavenly Father, The friendship you created between David and Jonathon is an example for all of us. They had every reason to let jealousy and disappointment separate them. But instead they loved each other as dear friends. They looked out for each other, listened to one another and helped each other make it through life. Make me be a friend like that so I don’t foolishly let my disappointments and desires get in the way of being a friend who can be trusted. Break down whatever selfishness is in the way of a loving friendship. Amen.

We must first learn to be a friend before we demand friendship from others.

Wednesday, March 6th

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Dear Jesus, As I get to know the story of Joshua (which means “The Lord saves”), I see you in it. As I follow the story of Moses, I see myself in it. I see a man who desperately wanted to follow you, but struggled mightily to do it. You called and he resisted. He obeyed and then he disobeyed As I look at Moses, I see a man who couldn’t finish what you sent him to do. He could bring Israel right up to the edge of the Promised Land but he couldn’t bring them in. I find the same struggle in myself. Lord, I need the better Joshua. For the people of Israel he did what Moses couldn’t. He brought the people of Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. He didn’t just wander with the people, he gave the people what you had promised them. You, Lord Jesus, have done that for me. You don’t just wander with me in the wilderness of this life, but you will bring me into the Promised Land in heaven. You do for me what no other person can do for me. You do for me what I could never do for myself. Lord Jesus, I see you in the story of Joshua. You are my Savior, Lord Jesus. Lead me and bring into the Land you have promised me, the sweet land of heaven, where I will rest securely with you. Amen.

Tuesday, March 5th

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Dear Heavenly Father, How you must smile when you watch me plan. You know what you will do with each one. Your way is always better even if I do not acknowledge it right away. I have seen how you bring failure into my plans so you can turn them into your own successes. Thanks for letting me make plans. It’s fun. But thanks also for puzzling me with your interruptions. Your control over my life keeps me connected to you in prayer and it makes me cognizant of your tender guidance. Amen.

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

Monday, March 4th

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

Lord God, You have spoken clearly in your Word. You have made it very clear who you are and what your will is. You are the God who has redeemed us from slavery to sin. You are the God who has promised us an eternity with you. You are the God who teaches us how to live our lives as your children in this world. You have spoken clearly to us. Put these words on my mouth and heart all day and all night. Keep sending your Spirit to remind me of all that you have spoken. Make me diligent to hear, read, study, and meditate on all that you have said to me. Forgive me, dear Lord, because I know all too well how I have despised your Word and haven’t given it the attention it is due. I have set it on the shelf and let it get too dusty. I have treated it as an answer key to life’s problems, instead of a book that gives life and breath to my soul. Lord God, your Word is good, better than any wisdom that this world has to offer. From it, you give your Son to us and make him known to us. From it, you give life and eternity to me. Lord God, help me to keep it always near me, in my heart, on my lips, so that I am careful to believe and to do all that it says. Amen.

Sunday, March 3rd

“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 Jesus, Now that you are my Savior I live for you and only you. You have made me, saved me and you will get me to heaven. I live and die for you. This makes every day more simple, more meaningful and more peaceful. I dedicate this day to your honor. Make it a good day for both of us. Amen.

Only one fan matters most and he will never stop rooting for you.

Saturday, March 2nd

“Do not let anyone despise you.” Titus 2:15

Dear Jesus, What a powerful little phrase you gave the young pastor, Titus. I find confidence in these verses. I’m easily intimidated by the critique of others. Everyone wants to be liked including me. But your grace and love have strengthened me so I don’t need to work at being liked. Instead, I’m free to love others even if it means I do or say something that earns their rejection. I hear your fatherly voice. Don’t let anyone despise me. In other words, keep their rejection on the outside of my heart. Only your love and promise to bless are allowed to enter the throne-room of my feelings. They can criticize me but I won’t let their negativity become my own. It can be theirs but not mine. My acceptance of myself is based on your perfect grace. Amen.

When you know who you are to God, you care less about who you are to others.

Friday, March 1st

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his vey own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

I want to think and do the right things for the right reasons. You have given me a new lease on life. But even though I long to do better, I notice that worldly passions are right there with me to tempt me to indulge instead of serve. My downfall happens in my heart long before it is seen in my life. But deep in my heart I appreciate your grace and mercy so much that I will not give up this fight to be eager to do what is good for you. Thank you for being patient with me.

Living for God is like loving your best friend, it comes easy when you remember their love.

Thursday, February 28th

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.’ ” Joshua 6:2

Father In Heaven, Your plans and your direction for my life are so simple and clear. The battle plan that you lay out for me is so directive. You haven’t given me a scheduled agenda for each day, but you have told me what you want me to do in the callings of my life. You want me to parent, to be a husband/wife, even as a single adult, to work hard and to be a kind and loving neighbor. The directions to me are simple and clear. Help me, Lord, to order my life by the simple instructions you give me in those callings. As a father/mother, help me to lead my family in God’s Word and to raise my children up to know you. As a husband/wife, help me to love my spouse as you love me. As a single person, lead me to know you through your Word.. Make me a wise and faithful manager of all the gifts you’ve given me for the good of my neighbor, starting with y own family. Lord God, your plans and your direction for my life are so simple and clear. Help me to follow through on those battle plans, simply trusting you to do what you will do in my life and for my salvation. Amen.

Jesus isn’t afraid of nothing; don’t be afraid to let him lead you!

Wednesday, February 27th

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing lover, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:18-19

Dear Heavenly Father, I’ve often called to you from the quicksand of trouble and begged for relief and help. I recall so many times that you have come to my rescue. You sent someone to help me or console me. You gave me answers and cures and help from various places. You quieted my anxious heart with your promise to save. Here I am living thousands of years later than the psalmist and I feel what he is saying. You are there for your children. But I need this word because I can’t see you, hear you or touch you with my senses. It’s spiritual, deep in my soul. But there the word, restores my inner peace. You love being my God and Savior. I know one day you will send angels to gather me to yourself. My end here will be my beginning there with you. I cling to that promise in my most fearful moments. If it’s not too much to ask, please Lord, right before you take me to glory, let me see your angels that come for me so in that most epic moment I won’t be alone to face the leap over the canyon between earth to heaven. Amen.

God always delivers his people one way or another. He cannot abandon his own.

Tuesday, February 26th

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.

Monday, February 25th

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. 

Sunday, February 24th

"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

 Dear Jesus, Open my eyes to every opportunity to do good, for You have created me in Christ Jesus to do good works and have appointed in advance that I should walk in them. Give me a faithful heart for every task set before me, and grant me grace to serve all people as I would serve You my Lord. Help me to live this day as though you died yesterday, rose today and are coming back tomorrow. Make your cross be my glory and crown and make the thought of your return not intimidate me but stimulate me to earnest attention to my faith life toward you. AMEN

 "To be serve God and others is medicine for our souls.”

Saturday, February 23rd

"O Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything and by your will they are created and have their being." - Revelation 4:11

Dear heavenly Father, I exist because you invented me in your creative mind from eternity. You chose my gender, my parents, my siblings, my DNA, height, hair and eye color, even my raw intelligence was slotted by you. Thank you for thinking of me and then putting me into my place in your vast creation. I am sad too that I joined humanity in rebellion toward you and yet you redeemed me in your Son. Help me to live in thankfulness and praise today just as the creatures in heaven are praising you as I see from the Revelation passage above. I want to glorify you for the gift of life today in the way I live. Show me how to do that. AMEN

 "Thankfulness is a product of true faith."

Friday, February 22nd

"How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer and these things and then enter into his glory?" - Luke 24:25-26

 Dear Jesus, don't let me be slow of heart to believe that what you did in your single solitary life was the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament prophets had foretold as well as the answer to all of my fears and sorrows. You suffered to win for me freedom from my guilt, freedom from my fear of death, freedom from my inability to forgive others. Melt my stony heart and replace it with your powerful love fulfilled by your very life. Give me what I cannot produce on my own, faith, hope and love. Make me the person you always intended for me to be. AMEN

"Christ in us is the hope of glory."