Monday, May 27th

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”  James 4:13-15

Lord God, I often forgot how small, insignificant, and powerless I really am.  There is an arrogance about me when I plan as if my plans were the only ones that matter.  There is an arrogance about me when I worry as if my way was the only way.  There is an arrogance that happens whenever I think about my life as if it was my will.  Lord, teach me to pray, “Your will be done.”  My life is a mist; I’m here one moment and gone the next.  My control over the events of each day is so limited, but yours is unlimited.  My view of the future and my plan for it is hardly clear; but your view of the future and plan for my life is crystal clear.  You’ve been seeing my life and my eternity long before I was even born.  Lord, you are great.  Your plans are perfect.  And your will for me is good.  Your will be done.  Teach me to pray it.  Amen. 

Sunday, May 26th

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomes the spies was not killed with those who were disobedient.”  Hebrews 11:31

Dear Heavenly Father, Now wait a minute God, I know that Rahab lied when she hid those Israelite spies and yet here and in James 2, you commend her.  That challenges my pedestrian mind.  When I look closely at the story in Joshua I see her faith.  She feared you and held on to her 40 year old belief that you delivered Israel through the Red Sea.  She chose your people because they were yours.  She loved and trusted you no matter what.  It was her choice to follow you that made her do anything she felt you wanted even if meant hiding the truth from her king and his men.  Give me that faith that makes every decision about you and not me or anyone else.  Amen.

Faith knows what’s right and wrong without a rule-book to quote from. 

Saturday, May 25th

“What causes fights and quarrels among you?  Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”  James 4:1

Lord God, I learn so much about myself as I watch my kids live their lives.  I learn so much about myself as I ask my kids about why they do what they do.  I ask them why they fight with each other; I often get the answer, “I don’t know!”  I ask the question why they get so mad about certain things; I often get the answer, “I don’t know!”  And I don’t think it’s a cop out.  They know that there was no good reason for them to be so angry or to get so upset.  They don’t quite understand what’s going on in them.  I find the same going on inside of me, dear Father.  I find myself getting upset with people, but I can’t quite put my finger on why.  I notice frustration rising in me but I don’t know why.  But James puts his finger on it here.  Where does fighting quarrels and frustrations with other people come from?  They come from a battle raging inside of me.  They come from competing desires in me.  My new man wants to do work for peace, wants to get along; it wants to get rid of frustration.  My old man loves to fight and quarrel and bicker.  Lord God, by my baptism help me to put to death that old man that lives in me.  Help me to kill him every day and all day long.  Put him to death, O Holy Spirit, that I might put away fighting and quarrels and work for me.  Do this in me, O Savior, I cannot do it.  My life has proven it.  You alone can save.  You alone can kill him.  Work this in me, dear Savior.  Amen.

Friday, May 24th

“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Hebrew 11:29 

Dear Heavenly Father, What it must have been like for the children of Israel to take those first steps into the chasm you formed in the Red Sea.  Their hearts must have been beating out of their chests as they gawked at the walls of water on either side.  But you led them with your mighty word and you allowed them to watch their enemies fall behind them.  Help me to remember your great act of deliverance in the Red Sea crossing when you call on me to step in between two “walls of water” for you.  Protect me from my enemies and give me the privilege to see either their conversion or their end.  Amen.

When God’s on your team the wins are embarrassingly obvious. 

Thursday, May 23rd

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”  James 2:26

O Holy Spirit, Give me a living and active faith.  You are the One who gave me new birth into a living hope.  You are the one who raised me to spiritual life and adopted me into God’s family.  Continue to stir in me, O Holy Spirit, and give me a living and active faith.  Work in me a daily sorrow and repentance for my sins.  Stir prayers to my loving Father in heaven every day, yes, every moment.  You have made me a temple where you dwell.  Work in every part of my body to live and move and offer up to your sacrifices of a living faith.  Work in my mouth to speak about things that are pleasing in your sight.  Work in my eyes to see things that are good and right.  Work in my hands to move and do things that would serve my neighbor.  Work in my feet to go places where the gospel might be preached and where I might serve the people around me.  I am, Oh God, your mouth, your hands, your feet.  Work a living and active faith in me so that people might know you.  Amen.

We’re not doing faith to get noticed, but faith is always noticed. 

Wednesday, May 22nd

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  James 1:5

Lord God, I need wisdom.  I need it desperately.  I need it deeply.  I need it to see my life as your child the way that you do.  I need wisdom to be able to know when and where and how and who to live.  I need wisdom to be able to know what way I should be loving people.  I need wisdom to see where my faith is not as active it needs to be.  I need wisdom to repent of my sin and my failures to love and to be useful.  I need wisdom to see your grace to me, to see how long and wide and deep and high is your love for me.  I need wisdom for all of this, dear Savior.  Pour out your Spirit on me and grant me wisdom for all of this and more.  You know what I need, O Savior.  Give it to me according to your gracious promise.  Amen.

Tuesday, May 21st

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” James 2:1

Lord God, I know he’s right.  I know this is the way that it should be.  I know that I shouldn’t give preferential treatment to someone who dresses nice.  I know that I shouldn’t give substandard treatment to those who are still dressed in their pajamas.  I know that he’s right, but I find myself judging people by their appearances and treating them according to the way they appear.  I find that I’m looking at them and forming an opinion of them long before there is anything substantial on which to base that opinion.  Forgive me, dear Jesus, and help me to see them with new eyes, with Spirit-given eyes.  Help me to see all people as those for whom you died, as people whom you desperately long to have in heaven with you.  Help me to see them as people who are valuable, simply because of your love for them.  Help me to serve them, care for them, and wait on them regardless of how their appearances seems.  Lord Jesus, this is the way in which you saw me and had mercy on me.  Help me to see all people the same and to treat them accordingly.  Amen.

Our favoritism makes us poor in God’s sight: God’s lack of favoritism makes all people rich. 

Monday, May 20th

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did.  By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.  And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”  Hebrews 11:4

Dear Heavenly Father, What secrets are locked away in that little story about Cain and Able!  What was it about the faith of Abel that pleased you so much?  Was it his thankfulness, his pure worship, his desire to please you and not himself?  Was it his deep love for you?  I think it was all of that.  All of those virtues are caused by faith.  It had little to do with what he offered.  It was about his heart while he offered it.  Even though his shallow hearted brother snuffed him out; his life, the first to pass on this earth, still speaks to me.  You have made his life count.  You will make mine count too.  I can lose myself in loving you instead of striving to make a name for myself with anyone.  Make my life like Abel’s, one that worships you and is pleasing to you without regard for the opinions of people.  Amen.

God has earned the right to be our audience of one!

Sunday, May 19th

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”  Psalm 9:9-10

Lord God, You are on your throne.  You ruled yesterday and you will rule today too.  Your enemies will never stand nor will mine.  Lord God, stay close to me today.  The devil is always close at hand, crouching in the tall grass.  He desires to have me.  Come close to deliver me, God.  Sin is always right there too.  It wants to lead me astray.  Lead me not into temptation, dear Father.  People are there and they hurt me, attack me, undermine me, and mistreat me.  Do not forget me, dear Savior!  Remind me who I am-I am yours.  Remind me who you are to me-you are my Father.  You will not abandon me.  You will not forget me.  You are my refuge and strength.  Amen.

Saturday, May 18th

“In the Lord I take refuge.  How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain.’”  Psalm 11:1

Lord God, There is much to fear.  My heart and my hands are shaking.  My mind is racing a million miles a minute.  But you, God, hold me in the palm of your hand.  But you, God, have a plan and purpose for me and for my life.  But you, God, have all things under your control.  But you, God, have loved me with an everlasting love.  But you”, God, have redeemed me from death and made me your own dear child.  But you, God, are my refuge and strength.  Your everlasting arms are all around and underneath me on every side.  Help leave me to live in faith not in flight today.  Amen.

We live secure in our Savior and will not flee to a cage. We are already safe with him.  You can’t scare me!

Friday, May 17th

“Command and teach these things.  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”  1 Timothy 4:11-14

Dear Jesus, It’s clear that you want young and old Christians to be busy telling your word to others.  I am deeply thankful that you have placed me among a group of Christians that gets it.  I have so many partners in the work.  I hear what you are encouraging me here.  My life is a limited resource on your earth to get your salvation to more souls.  You want me busy being your mouth to speak love and truth into human hearts.  Help me teach your word more effectively, more often and more joyfully.  Also, arouse my Christian friends at my church to scheme how they can engage in the movement of grace instead of finding ways to avoid helping in the greatest restoration project on earth.  Amen.

Like a dad who gives his child money to buy a gift for his mother, God gives us gifts and talents, so we are able to experience the joy of giving back to him. 

Thursday, May 16th

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.  For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’”  1 Timothy 5:17-18

Dear Jesus, Help your church to acknowledge the sacrifice of love that her leaders make so she can be well fed with your word of grace.  Help people to see that they experience a church environment that enhances their faith and spiritual growth because their leaders work hard to make it happen.  So many hours are put in behind the scenes so your children can hear your voice.  Give saints in your congregations the spiritual maturity to see the needs of their leaders and to take care of them, especially those who give up secular work to preach, teach and shepherd the flock.  And when the church forgets to support them, step in with your Holy Spirit and remind your shepherds that you have their back and will meet their needs in due time.  Amen.

When we honor our pastors and elders we honor Christ. 

Wednesday, May 15th

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  1 Peter 1:18-19

Dear Heavenly Father, What am I worth to you?  What price would you pay to get me back after I had wondered away and enslaved myself to the devil?  I cannot fully fathom that you, as a Father, would give your own perfect Son for a broken and self-defeated person like me.  But you did.  You redeemed me and now you call me your own.  Forgive me for not valuing myself at times as much as you do.  Forgive me for trashing and re-trashing my thoughts with negativity, criticism, envy and anger.  Forgive me for being selfish and petty.  Forgive me for thinking am worthless when you say I am priceless.  And give me the power of your purifying grace to rise above my self-centered feelings to make others know their worth in you by the way I handle them even when they are wandering and wayward.  Make me a life changer like you have been for me.  I ask this all for your glory and the glory of your Son who gave it all for me.  Amen.

God thinks we are worth his greatest sacrifice.  So, don’t diminish the value of any human being including yourself. 

Tuesday, May 14th

“At that Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword away!  Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”  John 18:11

Lord Jesus, You were completely willing and totally devoted to going through with this.  Even though there was a group of soldiers who would fight to arrest you, your disciples wanted to fight for you too.  You could have even called a host of angels to your defense.  But you told Peter to put his sword away.  You did not call for that host of angels.  You wanted to save!  You wanted to drink this cup that the Father had given you.  This is that for which you were sent.  This is the cup you were given to drink.  And you willingly drank it for me, for my salvation; for the world, for their salvation.  Thousand, thousand thanks to thee, dearest Lamb of Calvary.  Amen.

Monday, May 13th

“Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.”  Isaiah 32:2

Dear Jesus, I love how you tell me that you will make me a shelter in the storm for other people.  I am yours Lord.   Lead me to the people that you want me to show this to.  And make me a stream of freshwater for their soul.  I will not be such a blessing if you don’t do this through me.  I need your words, I need your wisdom and strength.  Are you my savior and their Savior at the same time?  Make this day useful and a blessing.  Amen.

God loves to help others through his own people.

Sunday, May 12th

“This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent-Jesus Christ.” John 17:3

Dear Lord Jesus, You had one thing on your heart and mind when you came to earth.You wanted us to know God, our Father.You wanted us to know you, the one sent by the Father to save the world.You wanted us to know you and your Father that we might live with you forever in all glory.Dearest Jesus, continue to reveal yourself to me in your Word that I might know you better.Continue to make my Father known to me that I might grow closer to him.Holy Spirit, keep teaching me that my eyes might be enlightened to see and know how long and wide and deep and high your love for me is, to know your power that passes all understanding, and to know your presence in any and every circumstance of life.Dearest Jesus, continue to work in me to know you and to make you known.Just as it was your mission to make your Father known, so let this be my main endeavor to make sure that people know who you are that by hearing they may believe.Work this in me, O Spirit, and keep me in this faith until my dying breath.Amen.

Saturday, May 11th

“Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  Unto him that loves us, and looses us from our sins by his blood; and made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”  Revelation 1:5-6

Dear Jesus, You have loosened me up from every negative feeling I might have about myself because of my sins and failures.  You have restored to me my own personal identity that I am part of your kingdom and royal member of your family and a priest that represents you in the world.  You have made all of my Christian family and friends into the same new creation.  Help me to live in the optimism that remembering I am your chosen royalty brings.  Help me also to view all my fellow Christians as the same royal citizens treating them with dignity and respect.  And since you rose from the dead I live in the hope that I too will beat whatever it is that threatens my life now and always.  Amen. 

We are members of God’s royalty with his angels as secret service protectors. 

Friday, May 10th

“May they all be one, as you, Father are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us, so that the world may know that you sent me.”  John 17:21

Dear Father, Strengthen and deepen the unity of your church.  Make it just like the unity that you share with your Son.  I can hardly imagine how tight, deep, and synchronized the unity that you share with your Son is.  How your thoughts completely align.  How your beliefs and characteristics are in total synchronization.  You share completely in everything-your goals, your desires, your characteristics, your motives, your works.  They are all united fully.  Strengthen and deepen the unity of your church.  We are all unique and different, made that way by you.  Yet, we are all one!  By faith in you, we share a unity that goes beyond the differences and uniqueness.  Remove all false doctrine and teaching from church so that we all stand together and confess the truth together.  I pray, dear Father, bring the church to united confession in all that your Word clearly teaches.  Give us a full and complete unity in mission too.  Align your church in confession and in mission, dear Father, with your Word and your mission.  Yes, Lord, strengthen and deepen the unity of your church.  Make it just like the unity that you share with your Son.  Amen.

Thursday, May 9th

“I am not prying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world just as I am not of the world.”  John 17:15-16

Dear Lord Jesus, I don’t belong here.  It is becoming clearer and clearer to me every day.  My thoughts are so different than those who still belong to this world.  My priorities and goals in life are so divergent from theirs.  My wants, my likes, my pursuits and my passions are all from a different place.  Lord Jesus, first, I thank you that you set me apart from this world and made me an heir of eternity.  Because of your grace, this is not my home; I don’t belong here.  Then Lord when my thoughts, priorities and goals clash with those of the world protect me from those who would cause me harm.  Protect my thinking and my wanting.  Protect my planning and my pursuing.  Protect my heart, Lord, because if the evil one can get my heart then he has my life.  I pray, deliver me from the evil one by protecting my heart from his temptations.  Keep on praying this prayer before the Father’s throne that I might be protected by your praying and your power.  Amen. 

Wednesday, May 8th

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”  Isaiah 30:15

Dear Heavenly Father, How much energy I can spend worrying and scheming on how to control my life and get what I want!  But you give me clarity here in this verse about the path to a secure future.  It’s through repentance of what I am by nature and resting in your grace that erases all the guilt.  It’s about silencing my self-defense and trusting that you have already fixed the problems.  It’s in letting go and letting forgiveness repair every relationship and all the fallout from my life.  It’s in letting myself be a child again while you do all the parenting.  I want that life where I give the controls to you but I learn to be honest, humble and trusting.  Give me this attitude by your Holy Spirit and make me a quiet but strong Christian.  Amen.

Sometimes it’s just best to sit quietly by, admit that you are powerless to fix the big problems and leave room for God to do what he does best.