Saturday, December 21st

“Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.”  2 Corinthians 12:7 

Dear Father, You know what I need.  You know what is good for my soul.  You know what is good in my life so that I will spend my eternity with you.  You also know what other people need for their faith and for their eternity.  You know how my life and their lives interact.  I don’t.  I pray, work in my heart and life like you did for Paul.  You gave him a thorn in flesh so that he would stay humble, so that he would lean on you, so that he would depend on your strength.  You gave him exactly what he needed for his salvation and his faith.  I pray, dear Father, do the same in my life.  Do whatever it takes in my life so that I stay true to you and to your Word my whole life.  Do whatever it takes in my life so that I might be an instrument of your mercy and grace.  You alone know what is good for me and for others.  And when your work is unpleasant and even painful give me your Holy Spirit so that I remember and trust your loving and saving purposes.  Help me to see what you are doing and to find strength in you.  Amen. 

I do not always understand what God is doing or why.  But I do know that his “so that” for my life is for my good and my salvation.  His purposes are always saving.   

Friday, December 20th

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8 

Dear Father, What a promise this is!  What a statement this is!  You not only speak about your ability to care for me in an over-the-top way, but you also promise to give me exactly what I need when you want me to do it.  So many times, as I go about my day, I think that I’m short on time, short on money, short on gifts, short on all kinds of things.  So often I feel like I’m missing what I need to do.  But that’s not what you tell me here!  Here you tell me that you have for me exactly what I need to have for the work you want me to do.  I have exactly enough time to do what you want me to do-O Spirit, help me make good use of my time.  I have exactly enough money to do what you want me to do-O Spirit, make me a good manager of the financial resources you’ve given me.  I have exactly the gifts, skills and abilities that you want me to have-O Spirit, empower me to use them for your glory.  Father, you have given me and will give me exactly what I need when you want me to do it.  Give me a contented and joyful heart about what you have given me.  And then, give me wisdom and strength to carry it out.  Amen. 

I am not lacking any gift.  God, my Father, has given me exactly what he wants me to have to do what he wants me to do. 

Thursday, December 19th

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”  Matthew 20:16 

Dear Jesus, This pithy little sentence levels the playing field for all humans.  You spoke it at the end of your parable of the vineyard where people worked different hours but all got paid the same.  Salvation depends on your decision not ours.  It’s yours to give to whomever you wish and you offer it to all.  The value of every soul has already been established.  It’s worth your life.  You bought each one.  So, you do not consider it a waste to watch someone squander all their days but turn to you in the end.  You aren’t happy with their wasted life.  But you still want to save their soul.  You will save even the latest to convert, just like you did the thief on the cross.  Help me to value souls the same way and to not write anyone off as a lost cause.  If their heart is beating, they still can be saved.  So, make me respect everyone enough to give them an opportunity to hear your race presented clearly.  You gave it all to make the most difference in their lives.  Don’t let me get in the way of that with my silence.  Amen.   

A wasted life cannot disqualify a redeemed soul.   

Wednesday, December 18th

“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.”  James 3:13 

Dear Jesus, Your brother James helps separate the fake from the real.  It’s easy to be high minded, critical of others and convinced that I am right about things.  But if I am truly wise, it will show in how humble I am and how I seek to produce goodness for everyone around me.  Give me the honesty and love to focus solely on serving you and others instead of trying to be right all the time.  Help me seek more to understand than to be understood and more to love than to be loved.  Help me forget the disappointments others have caused me, so I hang in there with them through all their ups and downs.  You never give up on serving us and I want to be the same in the few days I have left on earth.  Amen. 

Seek not so much to be rightly understood but to rightly love others.   

232. 

Tuesday, December 17th

“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’”  Luke 15: 3-7 

Dear Jesus, How you love to see people brought home to you by coming to faith in your truth and love.  How you long for each lost soul to realize they are lost and recognize you have come to rescue them.  Teach me the supernatural value of every human soul so I stop smugly judging people and instead I reach out to them with truth and love.  I want to rejoice with you over their return to grace like you and your angels.  The lingering disappointment I have with their failures and mine often hampers me from joining the heavenly party.  Oh Jesus, make me a champion of grace and not law.  Amen. 

It’s hard to judge people that you long to see in heaven with you. 

Monday, December 16th

“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.”      1 Peter 4:16 

Lord Jesus, I wear your name, loudly and proudly.  You called me to be yours at my baptism.  You marked me as your child and proudly announce to the world that I am yours.  You are not ashamed of me.  You are not ashamed to call me your child.  I pray, fill my heart with confidence and boldness to call you my God and my Father.  You have done gracious and merciful things for me, more than I can count or number.  Make me proud and even joyful to bear your name into this world.  Amen. 

Saturday, December 14th

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 

Dear Jesus, If I don’t stay connected to you by the word of God and prayer I will soon wither under the drought of my times.  There is so much to suck the energy and interest out of my soul.  I need to hear from your word every day.  I need to know you are with me, sustaining me, teaching me and loving me.  I need daily forgiveness and peace.  I need you to be the God of my soul.  These words really grab me, “apart from me you can do nothing.”  They sweep away my stubborn independence.  I need you to produce in me the blessed life that blesses others or else I will become a useless self-serving creature.  Oh Jesus, keep me connected to you and do not let me go.  Amen. 

We were made to receive spiritual power from God not the other way around.   

Friday, December 13th

“Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.”  1 Peter 4:15 

Lord Jesus, Sometimes when I suffer, my pain is justly and rightly deserved.  I often suffer with the consequences of my sin.  And sometimes other people mistreat me because I’ve been a jerk, because I haven’t been kind and gentle.  Sometimes I suffer their unkind words because I’ve been unkind to them.  Lord Jesus, when suffering comes, help me to repent of my sin where it is revealed to me.  Keep me humble and gentle to receive correction when it is given.  Suffering because I’ve been sinful is nothing to rejoice in.  Suffering because of sin is a time to repent and find relief and refreshment in your forgiveness.  Lord Jesus, keep me from sinning that my light for you might shine brightly.  Yet, when I do sin, dear Savior, lead me to quickly repent of my sin to find solace in you alone.  Amen. 

Thursday, December 12th

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”  Proverbs 10:17 

Dear Jesus, Help me oh God, to open my heart to correction and teaching that guides my otherwise misguided ways.  I want to be led so I can lead others by example.  But I must let you teach me.  It’s easy to fall into a smug self-gratifying thought that I have arrived and am above instruction.  Forgive me for that blind pride that makes me feel like I have little to learn.  Help me to reduce my entertainment and busyness enough to sit and listen to your word and learn from the people you have put in my life to teach me.  I know that I am a forgiven child of God and y prayer is that knowing this will give me the humility to keep learning from others every day.  Amen. 

Wednesday, December 11th

“If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  1 Peter 4:14 

Lord Jesus, I am not always content with the circumstances and conditions of my life.  It seems I can always find something to complain about, something about my life that doesn’t make me happy.  Lord Jesus, since that’s true, how in the world am I going to find contentment and blessing when I’m laughed at for being your follower!?!  Lord Jesus, when suffering comes to me because of your name and because I’m confessing you, help me to realize what this means.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because I’m yours.  The devil can’t stand to see me in your grasp and will make my life full of trouble to drive me out of your arms.  I’m suffering because he’s after me.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because the world as a whole does not love you.  I’m suffering because I stand out as your follower in this sin-darkened world.  Help me to remember who I am.  And then, dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the blessedness of resting in your mercy and grace.  Help me to find joy in suffering for you.  Amen. 

Tuesday, December 10th

“If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  1 Peter 4:14

Lord Jesus, I am not always content with the circumstances and conditions of my life.  It seems I can always find something to complain about, something about my life that doesn’t make me happy.  Lord Jesus, since that’s true, how in the world am I going to find contentment and blessing when I’m laughed at for being your follower!?!  Lord Jesus, when suffering comes to me because of your name and because I’m confessing you, help me to realize what this means.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because I’m yours.  The devil can’t stand to see me in your grasp and will make my life full of trouble to drive me out of your arms.  I’m suffering because he’s after me.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because the world as a whole does not love you.  I’m suffering because I stand out as your follower in this sin-darkened world.  Help me to remember who I am.  And then, dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the blessedness of resting in your mercy and grace.  Help me to find joy in suffering for you.  Amen.

Monday, December 9th

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”   Proverbs 10:9

Dear Heavenly Father, I know you see the chasm between what I am and what I think I am.  Help me to bring those two together through honest reflection, repentance and reformation.  I want to have integrity but it’s painful to admit my failings.  Sometimes, I catch myself thinking falsely about things and it scares me.  Don’t let me lie to myself, to you or to anybody.  You want people to worship you in spirit and in truth (John 4) and I love you so much.  I want to be someone whom you can trust.  Thank you for being my rock when I am wavering.  Now, guide me to live honestly, good, and righteous in my dealings with everyone.  Amen.

Honesty is painful, pure and refreshing all at the same time. 

Sunday, December 8th

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.”  1 Peter 4:12-13

Lord God, I am often surprised when hardship and trouble comes to me.  I am often caught off guard by the reaction that people have to me as a Christian.  But I shouldn’t be.  If people reacted to you, and even hated you, Lord Jesus, why would it be any different for me, a simple follower?  If people turned on you and even crucified you, why would I expect that they would all love me and receive me with welcome arms?  If they rejected your message, they will often reject mine.  If they turned on you, they will often turn on me.  Lord Jesus, when suffering and rejection comes to me because of your name give me joy because I’m suffering with you.  More than that, Lord Jesus, help me see and remember the joy that is set before me, an eternity of heaven with you.  Keep me from being surprised.  Rather, help me to find joy in suffering for you.  Amen.

Saturday, December 7th

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.”  Titus 2:2

Dear Jesus, It’s hard to admit, but I no longer can view this passage as your injunction to me as a young pastor to teach older men how to live.  It seems that in almost no time I have become one of the “older men.”  Now these six attributes of a mature Christian man are directly applicable to me.  You want me to be temperate, that is calm and gentle.  You want me to live worthy of respect, to curb my passions and resist the temptation to be lazy or crazy in my ways.  You want me trusting firmly in your word and not wavering with doubt.  You want me to love people deeply instead of withdrawing into myself.  And you want me to endure hardship with a reliant hope in your deliverance.  That is, you want me to recognize that my anxieties are often self-inflicted.  I get what you want and it helps me some.  But without your presence I will utterly fail.  I need you to give me the strength to live above my sinful nature.  Help me Lord Jesus to live the godly life you call for.  Be my Savior and my sanctifier.  Amen.

Only God can use godly people.

Friday, December 6th

“To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 4:11

Lord God, So often when I’m doing things I’m wondering to myself:  How are people going to think about me?  What will they think of me if I do this?  I ask:  What will people think of me if I don’t do this?  I do and say so many things in my life that are motivated by the opinions and thoughts of people.  Not only is it impossible to make everyone happy, but this is also chasing the wrong applause and seeking the praise of the wrong name.  I do so many things to make my name great.  Dear Father, hallowed be your name, not mine.  Help me to hear your divine applause flowing from my baptism.  Help me to remember that through Jesus I am already wholly and completely pleasing in your sight.  And then, dear Father, with your full approval, help me to serve so that people praise you and give glory to your name.  All that I do is empowered by your strength.  Let is also be done for your glory!  Amen.

Thursday, December 5th

“If anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.”  1 Peter 4:11

Lord God, You have really high expectations for me.  You tell me exactly how you want me to behave and how you want me to serve my neighbor.  Jesus, in your Sermon from the Mount, you tell me to turn the other cheek, to love your enemies, to give your clock and the shirt off your back to others, even to go the extra mile in service to other people.  The bar is high and sometimes I don’t even want to do it.  More than that, I don’t have the strength in me to give and to give and to give like you ask.  My cup is empty and my strength dries up.  Lord God, give me strength to keep on servicing.  Fill up my cup by your Spirit so that I can serve other people day after day, time after time.  Create a steadfast spirit in me and renew me daily.  Satisfy me with your unfailing love.  And give me your strength so that day after day, hour after hour, I can serve and give and love.  Amen.

Our service to other people is neither for ourselves nor from ourselves.  Our service is for our neighbor.  Our service (and our strength for service) is from God.

Wednesday, December 4th

“Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.  My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”  John 14:23

Dear Jesus, I know you didn’t mean that I would perfectly obey your teaching.  As hard as I try I can’t.  Everyone I know fails too.  But you did mean I would honestly attempt to obey your teaching, that I would open my heart to rebuke, to correction and to change, even with it was a challenge.  You meant I would make you “number one” in my life and lose all, even family and friends in order to obey you.  You meant I would be clear headed and mature about my failings.  You meant I would watch what I said and apologize when I messed up.  You meant I would witness to others and carefully listen to them as well.  You meant that love would be the gas in my soul tank and faith would be the oil.  Oh Jesus, help me love you and obey you from the heart.  You are my loving Savior.  What else would I want to do?  Amen.

God gives insight and wisdom to those who trust his word and honestly seek to follow it. 

Tuesday, December 3rd

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”  Psalm 17:8

Dear Heavenly Father, I remember how wonderful it made me feel as a small child when my parents would show me special attention.  I can still feel their hugs.  Encouraging words that were said years ago still hang in the walls of my heart like trophies.  When they were there to see me shine on the athletic field, the game always took on more meaning.  Even their loving discipline is a memory I cherish.  Now I read this prayer from the psalmist who asks you to keep him as the apple of your eye.  You are our heavenly Father and you count each one of us as precious in your sight.  We are the apple of your eye.  I still feel like a nobody at times on this lost planet.  It fills my life with meaning when I read in your word that you give me special attention.  All I ask is that you keep me as the apple of your eye and hide me in the shadow of your wings.  I need the security of your love to face dehumanizing health struggles and calloused disregard from people.  Your attention by your Holy Spirit to guide, correct and comfort me make me feel the way I did when my parents hugged me.  In your mercy, keep me as the apple of your eye.  Amen.

God’s attention is always on his children.

Monday, December 2nd

“If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words.”  1 Peter 4:11

Lord God, When you speak to your people you do not speak weakly so that there is doubt about what you mean or what you want.  You speak forcefully and demand that people listen.  You speak clearly so that there is no doubt about what you mean.  You speak gently so that we hear and believe what you say.  Lord God, you have planted in me your Word of truth.  You have opened your Scriptures to me and continue to do so every single day.  When I speak your words, make me sure of your Word and make my words bold.  Make my words clear.  Make my words gentle.  Put your Word in my mouth so that when I speak it is as if you are speaking.  And then Lord, make me bold and proud to speak your Word.  Because I am not speaking about me or words that come from my imagination, these are your words.  This is your truth.  Through faith and by your Word, you have made me your mouthpiece.  Help me to speak as one who speaks God’s words because your words are the only words worth sharing.  Amen.

When we speak God’s Word, there is no room for timidity.  His Word is like a fire and hammer.

Sunday, December 1st

“This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

Dear Heavenly Father, How it must hurt you to see people without faith or knowledge of your word, teaching others how to think and live.  You shout from the rooftop of the Bible, “I am your Redeemer and I teach you what’s best for you.”  I’ve come to trust your word more than any other life manual on the planet.  It teaches me about the power of purity, the freedom of forgiveness, the clarity of the divine law of love, the right way to resolve conflict and the way to have hope in the darkest days.  Your word is my soul manual.  Help me to believe this enough to open it every day and read from its pages.  Give me a hunger for your word that outweighs my hunger for all other things.  Help me experience the full life you promise for those who personally feed on your word.  Amen.

God’s word can get rid of all spiritual hungriness.