Tuesday, April 2nd

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:3-8

Dear Jesus, Our nation with it’s work ethic, economic prowess, government programs and resort style living for the elderly, makes all of us think that parents and grandparents have to take care of themselves. Then comes your word that lays care for the elderly at the feet of the family and the church. Help us to fully embrace the rich spiritual experience of caring for our family until you call them home. Make us people who won’t leave them lonely and afraid. Help us to give them friendship, provisions, rides and encouragement. Make your churches everywhere places that honor the experience and tenderness forged by years of living with our elderly members. And give the elderly courage to tell of their needs and to share their perspectives with the next generation. Thank you Lord for the privilege to live with people of all ages in our short sojourn on earth. Amen.

Having a friend who is long in the tooth will slow you down long enough to enjoy the deeper meanings of life.

Monday, April 1st

“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.” 1 Timothy 6:1-2a

Dear Jesus, Too often we view our employment as a contractual agreement between us and others without any spiritual ramifications. That’s why we get discontent and snarky about our jobs. Our jobs are a place you sent us to shine for you. If you put someone over me, give me the humility and faith to follow your word here and honor their wishes in everything. If I must disagree, help me to check my motives to see if I’m thinking out of selfishness. Help me to plan my appeal so I speak clearly and with respect. And give me the faith to follow my boss’s decision with joy no matter how he or she leads me. All this, because I know you are at my job with me as much as you are at home or church with me too. Amen.

God works as mightily through us at work as he does in the choir loft, so sing well in that choir too.

Sunday, March 31st

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession. I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will ring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Dear Jesus, You tell me here the true riches I am to pursue; righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. That is enough to fill each day with holy striving that brings with it peace and increased, fulfillment in relationships. Give me the desire to seek these virtues with a dedicated heart, not out of fear but out of thanksgiving that comes from believing in grace. You have totally changed my life from worldly striving to heavenly dedication. My life is yours, you made it and you bought it with your own blood. Please direct it to be a spiritual blessing to everyone who knows me. Amen.

People can tell your net worth in Christ. You wear it on your heart, face, and life.

Saturday, March 30th

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Dear Jesus, It’s so easy for us who receive your earthly blessings to think we have inflated value and are no longer dependent on you for anything. Over confidence and anxiety are two sides of the same coin. All I have is a gift from you. Help me to put my hope in you and not my temporary life. Give me the life that is truly life, a life lived with eyes fully fixed on you. Make me generous and willing to help my wealthy friends be generous too. I treasure my salvation more than anything else. Help me to show this in the way I live and encourage others to live. Amen.

True wealth is the freedom to be a conduit for blessing toward others instead of a reservoir for oneself.

Friday, March 29th

“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all’ 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Dear Jesus, Your gospel is beautiful, simple, sweet, and life changing. In love you came and gave us salvation. Your life for ours! It’s the basis of our identity, our peace and our hope. We trust that in love you have rescued us, even though we don’t really deserve it. Help me to guard and protect this gospel and what it has done in my life from the distractions of religious knowledge that only puffs up. Keep me from wondering into theological debates that starve my soul of this beautiful message. Accept my devotion as a thank you offering to you. Amen.

With Christ the main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing!

Thursday, March 28th

“Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:23

Dear Jesus, You have always shown concern for our bodies that house your Spirit. You fed Elijah in the cave and by the brook. You fed your disciples by the Sea of Galilee. You fed thousands miraculously too. It encourages me to see you tell Timothy to settle his stomach with wine. You want us to be kind and gently to our bodies. Help me take this to heart by treating my body with the love and respect that you do. Give me wholesome remedies for stress and fatigue. Make me strong to do your will and patient in affliction. I want to serve you whether with a healthy body or infirm. Give me wisdom to be a healthy person, dear Jesus. Amen.

Show your thankfulness to God b y how you treat the vessel he has loaned you.

Wednesday, March 27th

“We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:7

Dear Jesus, How in this American world can I wrap my mind around this passage? You call for contentment with only food and clothes. Everything else is superfluous wealth. Jesus, come and liberate me from all anxious thoughts about my welfare because you promise to take care of me and have piled mounds of blessing on top of food and clothing for me.

Help me to use my wealth to bless others as richly as you have blessed me. Give me the joyful exuberance that comes from grace filled generosity. It’s grace upon grace that you privileged me to live in such an abundant land. Thank you for undeserved blessings and keep me thankful always. Amen.

Tuesday, March 26th

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

Dear Lord, Sometimes I get intoxicated with the idea that I have to know exactly what happened and who is to blame and how I can fix it. Then you come along and say it’s to your glory to conceal a matter. It’s better to quietly make sure the sin is confessed and forgiven and not to sneak about the incident or involve others who do not need their hearts distracted by it. Oh God help me to keep myself and those around me looking up to you in faith and out to each other in love and forgiveness. Stem the tide of my morbid curiosity about everyone else and teach me to let go of judgements about people and problems that do not concern me. Thank you that you give us all grace in catastrophes we cause by our own sins and weaknesses.

Love leaves one’s own sins and the sins of others at the foot of the cross and gets on with living a care free life.

Monday, March 25th

“These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” 1 Timothy 6:2b-5

Dear Jesus, Because the faith you have taught us is wrapped up in words, it’s easy to get derailed into thinking that if I have the correct doctrine then I have the correct life. But here you link the truth I believe to the life you lead me to live. If I simply seek to be right in my head without willingly allowing my life to come under your leadership. I am deceiving myself into thinking knowledge defines faith. I can also get caught up thinking it pays to be right. All of this is sterile hairsplitting that does nothing for my heart and life. Oh, Jesus, spare me from shallow theological debates that lead nowhere in my sanctified life. Instead help me to practice my faith in love for you and people. Amen.

God’s teaching about Christ always leads us to behave like him in ways we never imagined.

Sunday, March 24th

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Dear Jesus, Like everyone else I am duped into believing that the more I have the more content I will be. Like a carrot hanging from a stick out in front of me, I get tempted to pursue an elusive contentment. But here you give me the answer. When I am satisfied with the godliness you give freely through the gospel and learn to be content with what I have from you both spiritually and physically, then I have great gain for my heart and soul. I am at peace and I feel settled, rich and strong. I don’t need anything to feel satisfied. I am already satisfied to know I am owned by God and destined for glory. Everything I have now pales when compared to what you are promising for the future. I can weather losses with spiritual optimism about life with you forever. My life is truly hidden with you by faith. Thanks for giving me contentment freely that I could never get by ardent effort. Amen.

Contentment is not getting what you want but wanting what you get from God.

Saturday, March 23rd

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

Dear Heavenly Father, Your friend Abraham is one of the greatest mentors of faith that I have ever known . He went even though he did not know where. We waste so much time waiting to see where we think you are leading when you love to hide the details. You want us to put our hand in yours. Instead of charting a course for myself and calling it your plan, I will let you drive where you want me to go. I want to live by faith that doesn’t have to see to step out. Shed light on my next step and I will go that direction even if the following steps are still hidden to me. I do not have to know exactly what you are doing, only that I have you guiding my life. Give me the faith of Abraham so I am truly your friend and not your boss. Amen.

Why waste time being overly disappointed or overly thrilled with anything in our temporary life, when our permanent home in heaven is being built by God himself.

Friday, March 22nd

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Hebrews 11:7

Dear Heavenly Father, I realize that faith is also calling out sin when you do, instead of pretending everyone can do whatever they want to do without consequences. It seems that my generation thinks the biggest sin is not being nice. Otherwise anything goes. You led Noah to build the ark because you were done with evil in your justice. Thank you for being merciful to Noah and his family, for preserving their faith and blessing their efforts. I am their descendant and had you killed them also, sinners that they were, I would never had the privilege of living here. Your mercy toward them was mercy toward me. Help me to have the courage to stand out for you against the evil that runs rampant again today. And most of all, help me lead people to your redeeming grace before the great and terrible day comes when you will once and for all destroy this sinful world in your justice. Amen.

When God says his patience has come to an end, faith sits up and listens.

Thursday, March 21st

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:18

Lord Jesus, The world should be able to see that I am yours and that I follow you. You tell me that I am to let my light shine before men that they may see my good deeds and praise my Father in heaven. You tell me that I am to be salt in this world, both seasoning and a preservative in this world headed for destruction. You tell me that, since I live with a hope that the world doesn’t have, people will notice and ask me about the hope that I have in me. Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying to blend in. Forgive me for living a life that doesn’t show the faith that is in me. People should be able to tell that I’m yours. Forgive me because they often don’t. Today, grant me strength and wisdom to stand out in this dark world. Amen.

You see that we are saved by faith alone, but faith is never alone.-Martin Luther

Wednesday, March 20th

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

Lord Jesus, There are parts of my life that I have very much in control. I’ve learned to avert my eyes away from many things that I shouldn’t be looking at. I’ve learned to stay away from places that lure me into temptation. There are many things in my life that I have brought under my control but my tongue remains untamable. I sing on Sunday. I pray in the morning. I praise you and teach others to know you. But then I go home and complain about people. Then I go off to grumble and complain about people who hurt me. I say all kinds of evil, hurtful, and shameful things about people behind their back. And sometimes I even say it to their face! Sometimes, dear Jesus-and I say this to my great shame-all kinds of vile things come out of my mouth. People must look at me sometimes and question how I can be even be a Christian. O Lord, Jesus, all I can say is forgive me for my vile mouth and give me your strength to control my tongue. Don’t let it be the destruction of me. Forgive and help me, dear Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, March 19th

“And by faith even Sarah who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Hebrews 11:11-12

Dear Heavenly Father, It’s easy for me to get discouraged when I do not see the fulfillment of your promises to bless me as soon as I expected. Sometimes I wonder if you will turn away from me because I am so easily discouraged. But then I see in this passage that you commend Sarah for her faith, even though she pushed Hagar on Abraham because she doubted, and she laughed when you sent visitors to tell her she would have a baby in a year. You saw her imperfect faith and you counted it as righteousness. Oh, how little faith you will commend! I do believe in you Lord and I believe in all of your promises too. But in my heart lurks doubt too. Help me overcome my unbelief and thank you for fulfilling your promises in spite of me. I will not let Satan lead me to despair because I know you count my weak faith as righteousness. Amen.

It only takes a thimble of faith to grab a life preserver when you are drowning.

Monday, March 18th

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasurers of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Hebrews 11:24-26

Dear Heavenly Father, Faith makes us different. You gave Moses a wealthy upbringing with all the riches of Egypt but you never intended him to exploit that for himself. You wanted him to use it as a leader to be prepared for bigger things. He understood your purposes and was willing to give up an easy life to accomplish great things with you. He led Israel out of captivity and he signed up for the last 40 years of his life to be hard labor. I want to be like Moses, living for you no matter the cost. I cannot do it on my own. Give me the will and the power to overcome the self indulgent messages of my culture to become a servant who burns brightly for you right to the end of his life. Amen.

God went all in for us. Let’s go all in for him too.

Sunday, March 17th

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” Colossians 2:2

Dear Jesus, I love it when Paul tells us his motives were that people be encouraged in heart, united in love and growth in understanding of you. Too often I have more pedestrian goals for my family and church; like attendance, and conformity and progress on projects. How shallow! How worldly! But to want them to grow in love, unity and spiritual understanding-that guides my leadership in a much deeper direction. It makes me prepare to teach them in their hearts more faithfully. Help me grow in these areas first. Use your Word to take me to new spiritual heights. So, from there I can teach others. Amen.

Through his word, God restores us to his own likeness and reverses the fall.

Saturday, March 16th

“God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Dear Heavenly Father, I have been brokenhearted about several things in my life. In time, with the strength of your word and people who knew how to love, you have healed my brokenness. I know I will be broken again and you will heal me then too. Your promises are my cell companions when I am confined to my hurts. I cling to them and let them speak to me. They are like a light gleaming through the small window at the top of the cell. Thank you for being the God who heals our hurts. Make me a healer of hurts too. Amen.

God knows how to heal a broken heart. He healed his own first.

Friday, March 15th

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:13-16

Dear Jesus, I see your brother explaining to us the underlying reasons we have arguments and divisions among us. We are tempted by our vain desire to be right in the eyes of all. We have ambition for being in charge, top dog or simply to have an impact. We want to be right whether we really are or not. It’s humbling to think we are dancing with demons while we are getting angry and firing off at someone we are supposed to love. Oh Jesus, come give me a ride home from the dance. Expose my envy and give me the strength to sweep it out of my heart. Amen.

Love wins the person before winning the argument.

Thursday, March 14th

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’” Matthew 20:20-21

Dear Jesus, How easy it is for me to see the vanity in others and overlook my own. It was audacious for James and John’s mother to ask that her sons be elevated with you in eyes of the whole universe. But I know deep down that by nature I am the center of my universe too. I value an experience as good or bad by how it serves me and then my closest loved ones. I ponder most often how I can get ahead and not how I can get behind and serve. I want grace and forgiveness for me but too easily withhold it in my heart from others. I’m embarrassed that I want what that mother wanted for her children. Forgive me for wanting to be king of my life and king in front of others. Give me your servant’s heart that is lost in self forgetfulness. Make me a servant today who leaves the selfish brat in the closet. Amen.

Hurt feelings and vain boasting are the heads and tails of the coin called self intoxications.