Saturday, September 26th

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?’  ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’”  John 11:25-27

Dear Jesus, There was hardly a sweeter exchange in all of Scripture.  Her heart was broken.  Her brother was dead.  She knew you could have prevented it.  She hoped you’d bring him back.  You had come to do just that, but more importantly (how could it feel for her that there was a “more importantly”) you wanted her to know that you had come to give eternal life.  You wanted her to live in hope…and she did!  She confessed her faith in you and your greater plan.  Even with such great faith, she still lived in the tribulation of great loss.  I do to.  I believe you are the Christ come into the world to give me rescue from here.  But I still struggle to deal with disappointment and loss.  Help me to live in the peace and hope of your precious promises.  You have created a door to heaven for me.  It stands at the end of my journey and gives me strength to keep going.  Thank you for living with us a time so we could live with you for all time.  Amen.

Faith brings peace.  Doubt brings darkness.  Don’t rest until the peace comes.  \

Friday, September 25th

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” Acts 3:6-8

Lord Jesus, There are days when my spirit does not sing.  There are days when defeat rests on my shoulders and they sag.  There are days when fear reigns in my mind and it races fearfully.  There are days when guilt weighs down on me and I can’t sleep.  There are days when my spirit does not sing because I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, my own sin in my heart, and do not see you on your throne.  Help me to look up from my mat of despair today to see you on your throne.  You have taken all my sins away and they did not hold you down.  You truly carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.  And in this moment, yes, in every moment, you are sovereign and ruling over all things in this world to refine me like gold.  Lift up my spirit today so that (at least inwardly) I leap and frolic like a well-fed calf.  No sins hold me down.  No fear can hold me back.  Give me courage and confidence to live life as the conqueror that you have made me to be.  Amen.

We have a God who makes our spirits sing so that we “go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2.)  So, what are you waiting for up?  Get up from your mat, leap up and jump and praise your God!

Thursday, September 24th

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be safe.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9

Dear Jesus, People misunderstand this passage because it is so close to the ones where you call us sheep and name yourself the Good Shepherd.  This passage is not talking about sheep but about those men and women who would call themselves shepherds for others.  If they do not come into our lives through you, the gate (you tell us) then they are not honest shepherds and they are not worthy of us following them out to pasture.  You are the litmus test of all true spiritual leaders.  Do they live by you and the grace you brought for all human kind or do they live for morality alone, or discipleship alone, or religious music alone, or for prayer alone, or for any other idea over the idea that you are our Savior of all people.  The rescue of humanity in Christ is the beating heart of all true shepherds.  So, dear Jesus, lead all pastors, parents, elders and Bible teachers to enter by you and your grace.  Make them Christ-centered so that they find pasture for your sheep, so they give them good food for their souls, pasture that changes their lives not by law but by gospel, pasture that does not promise only temporal rewards but promises an inheritance that never spoils or fades, pasture that invites, encourages, lifts up, and changes the way people think deep in the core of their inner being.  Give us good shepherds under you, dear Jesus.  Amen.

Jesus came to become the central figure in everyone’s soul.  Don’t accept anything less from him.

Wednesday, September 23rd

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42

Lord God, In your great mercy, you have joined me to yourself and to your body.  You have joined me to a body of believers.  I am not alone in faith or in life.  I am united to you and to every believer of all times and in every place.  I forget that.  I tend to isolate myself.  I leave my fellowship and connectedness to other believers at church.  I leave behind y devotion to God’s Word when I put my Bible away after devotions.  Sadly, I am not as devoted to you as deeply as I ought to be.  Forgive me.  Forgive me and raise up in me a desire to rise up in my devotion to your Word.  Make your Word-the study of it and the meditation upon it-such a vital part of my daily life that I never stop thinking on it even after I walk away from my study.  Make your people, the community of believers such a constant part of my daily life that I am always thinking of, praying for, and actively caring about them even when we are apart.  You have joined me to something bigger than me.  Help me to devote myself to you and to every other believer who is part of your body.  Amen.

It’s time for us, the church, to rise up and be “all in” for the God who is “all in” for us.  It’s time for us to rise up and increase our devotion to his Word.  It’s time for us, the church, to rise up and be “all in” for the community, the body, of which we are an integral part. 

Tuesday, September 22nd

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”  John 8:12

Dear Jesus, I love how you talked about being the light that we follow just like your ancient people followed your Father’s cloud and pillar of fire during their wondering in the wilderness.  Since you said these words at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles that commemorates this phenomenon, I can see why you used the imagery.  Your Father was the nightlight for your people, reassuring them of his presence during their struggles on earth.  You are now the fulfillment of the picture.  You are our nightlight.  So much about my life can seem dark, such as guilt, shame, regret, disappointment and fear.  But you and your mercy step in and I feel safe and loved.  I have light in your gospel that assures me of your gracious presence in my life.  I have the light of hope and peace too.  In the light of your love you lead me to impact others and I follow you even into challenging moments in relationships.  You are my light and I will follow you where you lead me today.  Amen.

Monday, September 21st

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”  Acts 2:36

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Messiah.  You have come to take my sins on your shoulders and to pay the price for all of my sins.  You did that when you died on the cross.  You are also my Lord.  You have ascended higher than all things and now rule over this world, even over me, with power and might and justice.  Yet, this is where I often have trouble submitting.  I don’t like the idea that you get to tell me how I should feel or how I should act or what I should do in this world.  I don’t like the idea that you get to be the boss of me.  I bristle at the idea that I am not free to do as I please.  Forgive me for this, dear Jesus.  Forgive me and help me to submit to you in every part of my life.  Forgive me and help me to follow you and obey you.  You truly are my Lord and my Savior.  Amen.

Saturday, September 19th

“Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart.  Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.  Acts 1:24-26

Lord Jesus, This is your day and I get to live in it.  As this day begins please send me your Holy Spirit.  Give me your Holy Spirit to work in me to guide my thinking, my choosing, my deciding and my actions.  Holy Spirit, remind me of everything you have taught me in the Scriptures and more.  Help me to make decisions that will please you.  Help me to do things that align with your Word, with your will and with your desires.  I truly do not want my own way, but yours, O God.  Yet, I know my sinful heart.  It thinks, it feels, it desires, and it decides things that align with my sinful heart rather than with yours.  In addition, though I truly want your will to be done.  I do not always know what that will truly is.  So, I pray, Lord God take everything that I think, that I feel, that I desire and that I decide today and use it for your good.  Turn it and redirect it if you must so that your way and your will and your desire is always accomplished.  Amen.

God allows us great influence over our lives.  We are not simply pawns on God’s chessboard.  At the same time, our Father continues and maintains his will over our lives and over this world.  What a God we have!

Friday, September 18th

“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”  Luke 10:41-42

Dear Jesus, Things keep breaking.  I keep getting bad news.  People keep needing help.  I keep forgetting things.  I suffer from miscommunication.  Some is my own.  Some belongs to others.  There are delays on the one hand and deadlines on another.  Disappointment and sorrow loom.  I hear you saying to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things but Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  I want that better part.  When I rest at your feet, listening to your word, I find the escape that comes at no cost.  It settles me and gives me joy and hope.  It’s your good word and your good news.  In that quiet place teach me what I need to know to be happy while I get up and go out to live in the soup.  Be my peace and my guide, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Life is like a bowl of soup, lots of random pieces all thrown together until Jesus brings just the right seasoning.  Then it all comes together and tastes swell. 

Thursday, September 17th

“At the pool of Bethesda a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?”  John 5:3-6

Dear Jesus, I wonder what made you pick that guy out of all the sick and lame people that day.  What made you relieve him of suffering while you left others to struggle?  I wonder the same today.  What makes you choose to rescue one and not another?  You have taught me that earthly struggles all play a role in our grand struggle and rescue.  If I demand to know why you choose to help one and not another in a single moment, I will miss the point that you really have rescued everyone.  But I still cannot overlook the fact that you chose me to know you and salvation.  You chose me, to give me the Holy Spirit who makes me understand the meaning of life in the context of grace.  You chose me to be healed of guilt and blame.  You chose me to the recipient of grace!  I don’t have to understand why you chose me.  I’m just grateful for the grace full you have poured out on me.  Yes, I want to get well.  I want to be healed of my otherwise hopeless life.  Thank you for rescuing me of all people.  I will live by faith today and will choose to love others the way you have loved me.  Amen.

Live grateful of the grace full you have received from Christ.

Wednesday, September 16th

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Lord Jesus, Pour out your Holy Spirit on me generously, boldly, and abundantly.  Set your Word in my heart and make it like a fire in my bones that I cannot hold back.  There are many times, dear Savior, when my own fears and doubts keep me from speaking up.  There are many times, O Spirit of God, that my own selfishness stops me from sharing your truth.  There are many times that I am afraid of what may happen to me if I speak.  O Holy Spirit, light a fire in my heart with your Word that cannot be put out.  Let your truth overflow from my heart and into my mouth as I go into this world.  Make me bold.  Make me courageous.  And let nothing hold me back from sharing your Word today.  Amen.

The Holy Spirit powers us up and makes us bold and courageous so that nothing will hinder us from sharing Jesus with our world. 

Tuesday, September 15th

“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’  ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied.  ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.  Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.  He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.  Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’” John 2:3-10

Dear Jesus, You told Mary she had crossed the line and then you gave her what she asked.  I will spend all day thinking about that.  She trusted that once she had told you, she would be able to accept your answer.  I will think about that a lot too.  When I see her prayer, your response and her repose, I learn the nature of prayer.  I learn to ask indiscriminately and to accept your answer without judgment too.  I trust you will handle my prayers with grace even if you see me ask too much or for the wrong thing.  I feel safe praying to you after I read the wedding story.  Thank you for being my gracious Savior who leads me into truth while I am just trying to get by.  Amen.

Pray to God about everything.  Let him sort it out.  But learn to pray to him about his main things too. 

Monday, September 14th

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Dear Jesus, The older I get the more I face situations I seem to handle less confidently.  I think you are purging me of my self-confidence so it will give way to “God confidence.”  I remember my dad’s tight grip on my little hand when we walked across busy streets.  I am comforted to know you hold my hand in every situation.  I can be small while you are big.  Give me the peace that you won’t let me go even when I am jerking my hand around while saying, “Let me handle this.”  Don’t listen to me.  Listen to this prayer and hold to me forever.  Amen.

God won’t let go of his child any more than you’d let go of a screaming toddler near a busy intersection. 

Saturday, September 12th

“He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?’  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’  She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’  (which means ‘Teacher’).”     John 20:15-16

Dear Savior, You know the sound of my voice.  It doesn’t matter how weak it is.  It doesn’t matter how doubting my cries are.  It doesn’t matter how fearful or troubled my prayers are.  It doesn’t matter how upset or frustrated I am.  You hear my voice and you come to me.  Every time.  That’s the way it is with my prayers.  Your ears are tuned to my voice.  As soon as I begin to speak to you, you turn your ears to listen.  I can be sure of this as well.  You will come to me.  You will come to me just as I need your peace, to restore my confidence.  You will come to me.  You will not leave me alone.  Amen.

Friday, September 11th

“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’  ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’  Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’  Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.  You will see greater things than that.’  He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” John 1:47-51

Dear Jesus, You saw how ardently Nathanael pursued a relationship with God, your father, as he meditated on truth and honestly tried to deal with his sin.  He must have been exhausted by his concentrated effort.  But then he heard the words of grace as you reminded him that you were the gracious God who forgave Jacob of his deceit.  Nathaniel was introduced to grace, the only path to your father.  He called you the Son of God.  You called yourself the Son of Man.  You revealed your two natures and your saving work, all in a dialogue with a soul.  You have done the same for my soul.  I believe you are God and man come to give me grace.  But I also want to be good, to honor your gift not earn it.  Thank you for being gracious to all of us.  Amen.

God’s angels surround all who trust in him.  Don’t forget to live with that confidence. 

Thursday, September 10th

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  John 1:16

Dear Jesus, I have always let this verse live in the shadow of verse 14 that comes before it.  (“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.)  But today this verse stands out to me.  From your fullness I have received grace in place of grace.  I looked up an older translation and it reads, “one blessing after another.”  Both translations remind me that I’m receiving countless blessings from you without deserving any of them.  I have had so many people love, share with me, forgive me, bless me, encourage me, thank me, and build me up.  You have provided for me in embarrassing abundance.  I have enjoyed the peace of grace and faith in my heart for decades because you taught me your word as a child.  I have lived under promises like an umbrella during a rain storm.  I have hope in heaven that crowns every day.  From you, Jesus, I have received grace upon grace.  I am overwhelmed with thankfulness when I pause to think of the grace you have given me.  I cannot help but love you all day long.  Amen.

What we realize what God has given us is a fraction of what he really has. 

Wednesday, September 9th

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”  Proverbs 14:10

Dear Heavenly Father, There are times when I experience deep feelings of disappointment toward people I had hoped would walk close to me in life but who seemed out of touch with my emotions and even uninterested in trying to figure me out.  Here you tell me that it’s the way of life on earth.  I have an “alone” road to walk.  Knowing that you see this, understand this, and love me through this, helps me immensely.  In one way, I get to have a unique experience that no one can invade.  You created me and you know all my thoughts.  You “get me” even when I don’t get myself.  I know your Son, Jesus, understands this alone-ness because he felt alone as your perfect Son when he walked here with us.  So, I have him also as an understanding friend.  I repent of expecting too much from people.  I forgive them for not being with me in every feeling and emotion I have.  And I commit myself to being the best friend I can be for them.  Thank you for giving me a path to walk that is uniquely mine.  I will work hard to make the best out of it, trusting that you graciously accept my efforts.  Amen.

 Alone-ness will only be loneliness if you make it so.   

Tuesday, September 8th

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”  Luke 24:30-32

Dear Jesus, Ever since Adam and Eve hid from you when you came to walk with them, you have longed to restore your friendship with humanity.  Once you had removed the wall of guilt between us you went for a walk with people.  It’s what you love to do with us.  Those two fellows had the time of their life with you on that walk to Emmaus.  But you had a great time too.  You got to open their hearts to meet you and your Father in the word.  I love hearing about them “getting it.”  “Did not our hearts burn within us?” they asked.  I want that warm feeling every day.  I want to have fellowship with you by having you speak to me through your word.  Bring to mind Scriptures today that you want me to have.  Help me understand them, to believe them and to let them change my life.  Walk with me today, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Take a walk with God in the word today.  You won’t regret the time. 

Monday, September 7th

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Dear Lord, I pray for all those who are tired, who are exhausted, and who are burdened, or weary.  May you give us all rest and lift our burdens.  I lay down everything before you, everything that seems to weigh on us heavy.  Please help us to trust you and to let you help us.  May your peace fall over us.  May your power lift us up.  May your Holy Spirit teach us, and guide us through this life in Jesus.  Amen.

Saturday, September 5th

“Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.  Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’”  John 19:11

Dear Jesus, It seems to me that in my life I am being swept along as a rag-doll caught up in the rapids, beaten against the rocks, pressed down under the waves, helpless against it.  But I can be sure of this, that you are at the helm and I am safe with you in the boat.  You will not let me be thrown overboard.  You will not let me be lost.  You are on the throne.  I am yours and you are mine.  Amen.

Friday, September 4th

“Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.  Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’  Immediately the tree withered.  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed.  ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’ they asked.  Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’”            Matthew 21:18-22

Dear Jesus, While you were living perfectly on a mission for me, you prayed that a fruitless fig tree would die and it did.  When your disciples marveled, you reminded them that when we are living out our lives we can pray in faith expecting to be answered.  It was only one point you were making about prayer.  In other places you told us as long as it was the Father’s will, we’d be answered how we wished and that you wanted us to seek the kingdom of grace above all things.  Still, this promise that I could pray for amazing things and would see them happen is intriguing to me.  You know the desires I have for so many things to happen for people I know and love.  I’m praying for them now.  I want to see them change and grow and come to faith.  I have faith and I don’t want to doubt.  So, hear my prayers and do what you promised.  Make them come true for the benefit of those I pray for and for all those who know them.  Amen.

God is serious when he asks us to pray for his help.  It’s not a game for him.  It’s real life.