Friday, April 3rd

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  Hebrews 13:5

Dear Heavenly Father, These are good times for my generation and me.  The shutdown of our economy makes us stop and reflect on where our help really comes from.  I find myself more worried about widespread financial strain for my friends and me than I do about getting the deadly virus.  Then I have to wonder where my anxiety really comes from.  I think it comes from a subliminal false idea that my economic welfare depends on me and the definable fiscal world in which I reside.  I also think it comes from my lack of experience with widespread economic catastrophe.  Most of the world lives in poverty and disease.  You graciously let me be born into the land of prosperity and opportunities.  So, I’m not very practiced at meditating on truth to get through the hard times.  That’s why this verse is important to me.  It reminds me that you are with me.  I know you will take care of me.  Help me get rid of the very thought that depends on a “what I can see and hear” mentality.  Give me peace and generosity to share with those around me during these tough times.  Make yourself known to every troubled heart.  Calm their fears too and give them friendliness in the stores and along the roads.  Amen.

Worry over finances is the back side of covetousness.  Trust in God and start living free to share.   

Thursday, April 2nd

“But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses.  They said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?’  Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people?  They are almost ready to stone me.’”  Exodus 17:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father, During times when your people are under stress they do not always treat your leaders well.  They grumble and criticize because they are needy and they expect leaders to provide.  I know that many government, corporate and church leaders have to get exasperated just like Moses did.  I’m glad he had your attention.  You spoke to him audibly and came through in miraculous ways to help him lead your people.  Help leaders today during these present crises.  Give them patience and creativity to lead your people and to take care of their needs.  And help your people not to use pressure but prayer to get what they need to make it through.  You always provide.  So, provide for our leaders too.  Amen.

Leadership is a rare gift to be honored and appreciated by its beneficiaries. 

Wednesday, April 1st

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike.  Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.  Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.”  Romans 14:5-6

Dear Jesus, For all my life Easter has been a big deal.  You put me in a family and church that celebrates your death and resurrection as the high point of all earthly events.  Our Easter Sunday experience has always been unrivaled on our church family’s calendar.  And this year, you allowed a nasty virus to disperse us to our homes.  There will be no hoopla in the community, no breakfast in the church, no fanfare.  At first glance it seems unfair and surreal.  But it really does have a purifying effect on me.  I’m left to ask, not, “What do those people say Easter means?” to “What do I say it means.”  When I give this some serious thought I have to admit that Easter really is a big deal to me.  Yes, Jesus, it really is a big deal to me that you rose from the dead and I will be acknowledging Holy Week and East Sunday as I always have.  Only this year it will be more solitary, and personal for me.  You have seen to that.  I am fully convinced in my own mind that on Easter I will be celebrating that day as the day you conquered death for us.  And I will do my best to encourage anyone in the sphere of my influence that they meaning of the day will not be lost on a seclusion caused by a virus.  Help me Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Faith and godly reflection are a fiercely personal matter as much as they are a community celebration. 

Tuesday, March 31st

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:17-19 

Dear Heavenly Father, So often I show thanks only after have granted success in earthly matters.  But here Habakkuk says thanks even though his crops fail, and the livestock are gone and he isn’t sure if he will have enough to eat.  He thanks you because he believes your word that promises your direction and protection even when he cannot see it with his eyes.  I thank you now like he does.  I thank you that you are my rescuer and provider even though I don’t know how you are going to do it.  I just trust you will see me through everything in my life and then give me a place in glory with you as the grand prize at the end.  I will trust you through plenty and puny.  Amen.  

God is worthy of our thanks just because he is our God.  How he blesses is just details.   

Monday, March 30th

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”  Psalms 91:11 

 Dear Father, These words set my heart at rest.  As I walk through my life and face danger all the way, it is comforting to know that you have given a command about me!  About me!  There are so many people in this world that you are concerned about, yet you are concerned about me!  There are so many people whom you protect (all of them!), yet you give commands about me!  You tell your angels to watch over me, to protect me in all of my ways.  You tell them to pick me up in their hands to deliver me from danger, especially danger to my soul.  When Satan wants to rob me of faith and my eternity, your angels' step in to wage war for me.  When I cry out to you, you immediately respond to my every prayer.  Protect me, I pray.  Many dangers surround me.  Unseen dangers and threats come after me.  Protect me with your angels.  Keep giving them commands about me so that I might live and serve you all my days.  Amen. 

Though there are many things and many people in this world about whom God is concerned, he gives his angels charge over me!   

Saturday, March 28th

“The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.  Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”  Psalm 28:8-9 

Dear Heavenly Father, I love this prayer where David asks you to be his Shepherd.  We all want someone to take care of us.  I want you to be the one.  You are the author of my life.  You know the troubles of my situation.  You understand my limitations and my insecurities.  You know my vulnerabilities and my fears.  You know my needs and my wants.  Be my shepherd O God.  Take me by the hand and lead me through any difficult days that lay ahead for me.  As long as I have you as my shepherd, I can face the uncertain future.  Heal me, save me, make me whole.  You are my everything.  Amen. 

God will be with us in every moment.  He cannot forget his own.   

Friday, March 27th

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”  Psalm 28:6-7 

Dear Heavenly Father, I find myself today being thankful for the merciful way you have treated me for my whole life.  Since I was an infant you have heard my cries for help.  Time after time you sent someone to my rescue.  First my parents, then teachers, friends, police, fire fighters, doctors and other medical professionals.  You have given me godly advice through mentors and have even sent strangers to donate their time for my benefit.  You are behind every help and rescue.  I have thankfulness and joy.  I know how selfish I can be and yet you continue to bless with a forgiving heart.  I trust you because you love so unconditionally.  Thank you for being the God who saves sinners and makes their lives valuable and important.  Amen. 

If we simply stop to count blessings, we can change our attitude to gratitude in a heartbeat.   

Thursday, March 26th

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”    Psalm 90:14 

Lord God, The weight of sin and the burden of life is truly heavy to carry.  It is more than I can bear, though I try mightily to bear it.  I try to push through the weakness of my flesh.  I try to ignore the guilt that lurks in my conscience, that just kind of sits there all day long.  I try to constantly shed it during the day by working harder, by praying more, my meditating longer.  Lord God, the weight of my guilt and the weakness of my flesh lays a burden on me that is impossible to bear.  Forgive me for this foolishness, dear Lord.  And this morning, I pray, satisfy my soul with your faithful and unfailing love.  Your unfailing love truly and fully removes all of my guilt.  Your unfailing love truly and fully envelopes me with your grace and mercy, even in my weakest moments of deepest distress.  Your strength holds me up when the burden is too heavy to bear.  In my weakness, teach me to depend on you for strength.  Yes, even in my strength, teach me to despair of me and to depend on you.  Let your mercies rain down on me this morning and this week as I rise up to serve you.  Let your power and your Spirit gush down on me from above that I might be filled with your wisdom and your strength.  My strength is weak; your strength is truly strength.  Fill me with it.  Amen. 

There is only one thing that truly satisfies and sets our hearts at rest.  The faithful and unfailing love of our God is that one thing.  His love and his power alone lift the weight of guilt and the weakness of our mortality.   

Wednesday, March 25th

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12 

Dear Jesus, Help my friends in Christ and me to put on your beautiful clothes today and wear them for the blessing of others and the betterment of all humankind.  Help us avoid soiling our spiritual clothes with crankiness and chronic complaining.  Where we see sin, help us to forgive and to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Help us take words and actions in the kindness possible way.  Amen. 

Jesus Christ’s spiritual clothing is always in style.   

Tuesday, March 24th

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalms 86:11

Lord God, This is what I need; this is what I ask.  Teach me your ways and give me an undivided heart.  Fill my heart so completely with a love for you and a trust in you that nothing can shake me.  Why is it, O God, that I grow afraid and overwhelmed when things and people threaten me?  Could it be, Lord God, that my heart is not fully captured by your love and fully trusting in your works?  That’s what you told the disciples when they
were terrified by the storm.  You questioned whether they were fully trusting in you.  “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Why is it, Lord, that I grow weary and tired in living my life?  Could it be, Lord, that I am trying to do things in my life that are yours to do?  Could it be, Lord, that I am pursuing things that are not good and will never satisfy?  That’s what you teach me again and again.  This is why I ask it, Lord.  Teach me your ways and give me an undivided heart.  There is no god like you in heaven and earth.  There is no one else who has created this world and cares for me like you do.  There is no one else who tore the heavens apart to rescue our sinful human race.  O God, give me an undivided heart that loves you fully and that trusts you completely.  Amen.

So much of our life is spent worrying and chasing.  There is no one like our God!  He will give us what need and protect us from eternal harm.  Set your heart on that and on nothing else. 

Monday, March 23rd

“We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.”  Psalm 78:4

O Almighty and gracious God, You have been so good to me.  You have been so good to your people throughout history.  Through the ages you have been our God and you remain the same.  You rescue your people dramatically and powerfully time and time again.  You turn from your anger and turn to snatch them from the grip of their enemies.  You have been so good to me.  Father, as much as you remain the same, so do
I.  I struggle with the same forgetfulness and stubbornness of previous generations.  I know the lessons of the past, but I have not always learned from them.  My heart often grows bitter and envious.  My heart often grumbles and complains against you. I forget your goodness.  I forget your rescue.  And then I complain against you.  O almighty God, first, I pray help me to remember the things you have done.  Make these truths about your rescue rise to the top of my heart that I may remain your child.  And, then, Spirit, make me eager and bold to pass this on to my children, to my community, to my church family.  Make me eager to remind,
to teach, to encourage, to rebuke.  Give me the right words in the right season to pass on the truths of your Word to the next generation.  You have been so good to me.  Help me to hold it close for my own heart and to share it widely for the whole world.  Amen.

The story of God’s goodness is a story for my own heart and soul.  It is also a story that meant for the rest of
the world.  Pass it on. 

Saturday, March 21st

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12

Dear Jesus, Help my friends in Christ and me to put on your beautiful clothes today and wear them for the blessing of others and the betterment of all humankind. Help us avoid soiling our spiritual clothes with crankiness and chronic complaining.  Where we see sin, help us to forgive and to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Help us take words and actions in the kindness possible way.  Amen.

Jesus Christ’s spiritual clothing is always in style.

Friday, March 20th

“Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.”  James 1:18

Dear Jesus, By your own will you brought me to faith by teaching me the gospel of your love.  It was your plan, your choice, your mission.  I feel so valued that you would rescue me and call me a first-fruit.  The first-fruits were the treasured produce after a long growing period that were given back to God as a sign of the people’s love for you.  If I am your first-fruit then you are saying I’m treasured.  Since I know I’m treasured enough for you to send your Son for my rescue, I want to give me life back to you in return.  Use me to bless others the way you have blessed me.  Amen.

The key to longevity in service to others is the constant awareness of our own rescue. 

Thursday, March 19th

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, and extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”     Psalms 68:4-5

O God, Rise up!  There are so many people around me, in my city, who are broken and hurting.  There are so many people who are helpless against their circumstances.  They are helpless against trauma that has entered their life.  They are helpless against their own weakness, the depression, the anxiety, the mental disease, the physical disease that attacks them.  They are helpless against people in their lives who only want to hurt and harm them.  Father, rise up!  You are a Father of the fatherless, a defender of the widows.  You are a
protector of the weak.  You are not just a God who cares; you are a God who can.  Rise up in your might and your power to defend, protect, to right the wrongs.  Rise up and lead prisoners to prosperity, the homeless to homes, and the fatherless to families.  Rise up and do what is good and right.  You, God, are King.  You, God, are seated on your throne.  Use me today as an instrument of your peace, of your righteousness, and of your justice.  Use me to rescue and protect and defend. Rise up God and be the father of the fatherless and the champion of widows.  Show your strength, God and act on our behalf.  Amen.

Our God is not just a God who cares. Our God is a God who can.  He has all power and might. 

Wednesday, March 18th

“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”  Psalms 62:7

 Dear Father, In this world, I am constantly seeking honor and glory.  I seek in the praise of the people around me.  I seek it in the acclaim of the larger community of people who may hear about me and the things that I’ve done.  They say that they’ve heard about me and I wonder if that’s good or bad or indifferent.  I see recognition and notoriety.  When someone else gets it, a seed of jealousy is sown in my heart.  Father, I want to be noticed.  I want honor and glory.  I want recognition, even if that is just a nod in my direction.  But, Father, I know that this pursuit of earthly glory is sinful.  I am simply confessing that my heart pursues the wrong things.  And, Father, in this I am not only pursuing the wrong glory but I am despising and forgetting about a better glory.  I am forgetting about the better glory and honor that I have through your Son.  His blood and his righteousness give me an honor far greater than any person or organization or institution could ever give me. 
His blood and righteousness gives me an honor and a glory in your presence so that through him I get to hear your voice of pleasure.  And, Father, it’s not something that I need to chase.  My salvation and my honor not
only depend on you, but they come from you.  You give it to me.  You put it on me.  So, now, Father, help me to lift up my head today because of honor and the glory which you have laid on me.  Help me to stand up and live with confidence because of who you have declared me to be.  Amen.

Jesus, your blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress; ‘midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.”  Nicholaus von Zinzendorf

Tuesday, March 17th

“Vindicate me, my God, and champion my cause against an unfaithful nation.  Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.”  Psalms 43:1

Lord God, If you were not on my side, I would have long ago gone my own way.  If you were not with me, I
would long ago have wandered away and even given up the fight.  If you were not walking with me and filling
me with your Spirit, I would have thrown up my hands in despair.  But Lord, you have been on my side from the
moment I was baptized into your holy name. You have been championing my cause from the moment I became your child.  You are certainly on my side.  As I begin my work this week and pursue your ways and your will, champion my cause against all those who would oppose you.  Better yet, Lord, champion your
cause in this world and use me to do it. Use me to push forward the kingdom of God with great force.  Give me strength to take hold of it and to advance your kingdom mightily.  Champion my cause against the forces of the devil. Champion my cause against this unbelieving world so that your kingdom might take root in the hearts and lives of your most holy people.  Keep me from getting discouraged when the work is hard and seems to be in vain. Assure me that because of your mighty resurrection this work is never in vain.  It is always yours.  And I am yours.  Champion your cause and use me to do it.  Amen.

The Christian life and cause is never in vain because God champions their cause.  God will not let it be for
nothing. 

Monday, March 16th

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”  John 15:16 

Dear Jesus, I remember how exhilarating it was to be chosen to play on a team, or to be chosen for an award.  My sense of self-worth would skyrocket.  How much more meaningful it is to know that you have chosen me to be your disciple.  My relationship is safe since it’s based on your choice and not mine.  Thank you for singling me out to be your follower.  I want to serve you with all my heart since I’m on your team.  I want you to make glad that you chose me.  I know your grace keeps your heart safe, but I want to bless you too simply because I’m thankful.  Help me know what is pleasing in your sight in my relationships with people all around me.  Amen. 

God started his friendship with us and he will finish it too.   

Saturday, March 14th

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”  Psalms 40:2-3 

Lord God, You have completely and thoroughly changed my fortunes and my outlook for my life.  And sometimes I don’t even realize it and it doesn’t even hit me.  It happened in my life before I was even aware.  At my baptism, Lord God, you snatched me from the jaws of hell and brought me into your family.  You lifted me out of the slimy pit and rescued me.  You set my feet on a rock, solid place so that I might stand.  You filled me with songs and praise to you.  O Lord, so often I lose sight of this great rescue.  Life with its every flowing stream of activities and responsibility distracts me from your greatness and from my firm standing.  And, Lord, I hate to confess this, but since I have been your child for many years and know well your gospel, I easily and quickly think to myself, “I’ve heard all of this before.”  Too many times, Lord, I lose my awe at your grace and your goodness.  I do not stand back with a sense of awe at all you have done for me.  Restore this to me, Lord.  You have so thoroughly changed my future and my fortunes.  You have so completely changed my footing and my destiny.  Help me to lift up my head and to live with the confidence and the outlook on life that only becomes because of the footing you have given me and the fortune you have laid out for me.  Amen. 

Our future is certain and destiny is secure because our God makes it so.  Stand up and live life with the confidence that your future is secure in his grip.    

Friday, March 13th

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weights the heart.”  Proverbs 21:2 

Dear Heavenly Father, Solomon said he got his wisdom from his father, David, and the Holy Spirit.  David was chosen by you to be king because you saw his heart.  You even passed up his older brothers because David’s heart beat in rhythm with yours.  You see the heart when we only see outward actions.  I know of people who have endless arguments about being “right.”  I have a few such arguments myself.  I love how your Proverb blows away all our self-rightous attempts to justify ourselves.  You weigh the heart.  I know you see how out of balance mine can be.  Please have mercy on me and forgive my sinful heart.  But take it further and purify my heart from all unclean and selfish thoughts and make me someone you like as much you love.  Make me holy from the inside out.  Amen. 

In Christ and his word, we clean up really well! 

Thursday, March 12th

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”  Proverbs 22:9 

Dear Heavenly Father, You are generous with all that you have made.  I am a grateful recipient of a multitude of your gifts.  Make me a generous person like you.  Whenever I have given freely to others, I have been blessed in my heart beyond what I would have thought.  But I have also noticed how often you put back double of what I have shared with others.  Oh God, you can be trusted to take care of the generous follower of yours.  Increase my faith so I will bless people in big way for the rest of my life.  Amen. 

Love people big and you’ll be living large!