Thursday, November 12th

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.  Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”  Acts 14:21-22

Lord God, Your gospel is the only thing that saves.  Your gospel is the only thing that converts.  Your gospel is the only thing that turns people from unbelief to faith.  We must preach it.  It is the only thing that will turn a hardened opponent into a passionate follower.  Yet it is hard and scary to go into what can be a hostile environment to share the gospel.  Fear makes my heart shake.  Anxiety makes my feet stand still.  But, God, you have called me to go.  You have given me your Spirit so that I will speak up with your gospel.  Overcome my fear and overwhelm my timid spirit with your Holy Spirit.  Give me a spirit of boldness and of love so that in any situation and in every circumstances.  I am bold to speak your Word.  Your gospel has saved me.  It has the power to save those in darkness who have the deepest opposition to you.  Lord, help me to roar like a lion with your gospel, never backing down, but lovingly, courageously and boldly going with the gospel, speaking for you even in the face of the harshest opposition.  Amen.

Lord, help me to roar like a lion with your gospel, never backing down but lovingly, courageously and boldly going with the gospel, speaking for you even in the face of the harshest opposition. 

Wednesday, November 11th

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  John 15:12-13

Dear Jesus, You are my best friend who laid down his life for me.  I have lived under the grace you purchased for me for my whole life.  It makes me feel loved and valuable to think about this. In a similar way, on this Veteran’s Day, I am deeply grateful for all the men and women who served me in the US armed forces, especially those who have given their lives to protect my family and me.  Their sacrifice reminds me of yours.  Bless all the families of veterans today because they all suffer with their soldier.  And give special attention to those soldiers who still survive but are haunted by terrible memories and dreams about war.  Carry their hearts to visions of heaven where you make everything right.  Amen.

Say something thankful and encouraging to a veteran today.  It will be a blessing for them. 

Tuesday, November 10th

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”           Philippians 1:29-30

Dear Jesus, It’s a strange insight; you have granted to me the privilege of suffering for you.  It seems counter-intuitive.  But when I think of what you suffered here so I could be saved, I willingly accept my path even if it leads me to suffer for your name.  When I do experience any set-back for being a Christian, help me to be respectful and full of forgiveness for those who slight me, so they are confronted with the same love you used to overwhelm me.  Amen.

Christ suffered for us when he was here.  Now he suffers in me while I’m here. 

Monday, November 9th

“When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”  Acts 13:12

Lord Jesus, There is nothing quite like your Word.  Yet, I am not always amazed at it.  Sometimes I find it ordinary, regular, sometimes even boring.  Sometimes I find it uninteresting and am not moved to get into it.  I know that’s the devil making me bored with something so life-changing.  I know that’s my own nature which doesn’t grasp or understand or appreciate what your Word always says.  Forgive me for my attitude toward your Word and raise up in me a spirit that loves, appreciates and treasures your Word.  Make the teachings I have so often heard before new in my heart and mind.  Make the things I have learned before come alive for me so that I have a new and deeper understanding of your word.  Open the eyes of my heart so that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of my inheritance among the saints, and your mighty power at work for those who believe.  There is nothing quite like your Word.  Help me to treasure it daily and to feed on it deeply.  Amen.

There is nothing quite like the teaching about Jesus.  To it there is no beginning or end, no bottom or top.  When we hear God’s Word and the true teaching about our Lord, it completely knocks our socks off.  That is that the Holy Spirit brings to the Word.  He makes the spoken word carry more weight than a miracle. 

Saturday, November 7th

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.  Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’”  Acts 12:5, 12-14

Dear Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.  This is why I pray.  This is why I call on you.  I do believe that you are good and merciful.  I do believe that you are powerful and mighty.  I do believe that you have wisdom beyond knowing and knowledge as wide as the ocean.  I do believe that you only have good in mind for me and for those whom I love.  I do believe in you.  That is why I pray.  I do believe, help my unbelief.  I pray with uncertainty, with a lack of conviction, with a lack of faith.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you can.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you want to.  Help me to pray with absolute conviction that you can and want to do what is the very best.  Help me to believe that you can and that you will when I call on you.  At the same time, help me to believe that your will is always best.  Lord, I do believe.  Help me to pray with confidence, with openness, with trust, and with a faith that fully trusts you to do what you have promised.  Amen.

Our Father does not determine his answer to our prayers because of the sincerity of our prayers.  Our Father does not decide to answer our prayers because of how much we trust and believe in him while we pray.  Our Father answers our prayers simply because of his mercy.  Our Father answers our prayers because of his deep love for you.  Our Father hears and answers us because of his Son, Jesus.  This is why he hears.  This is why he answers.  And this is why we will keep on praying. 

Friday, November 6th

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.  Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’”  Acts 12:5, 12-14

Dear Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.  This is why I pray.  This is why I call on you.  I do believe that you are good and merciful.  I do believe that you are powerful and mighty.  I do believe that you have wisdom beyond knowing and knowledge as wide as the ocean.  I do believe that you only have good in mind for me and for those whom I love.  I do believe in you.  That is why I pray.  I do believe, help my unbelief.  I pray with uncertainty, with a lack of conviction, with a lack of faith.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you can.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you want to.  Help me to pray with absolute conviction that you can and want to do what is the very best.  Help me to believe that you can and that you will when I call on you.  At the same time, help me to believe that your will is always best.  Lord, I do believe.  Help me to pray with confidence, with openness, with trust, and with a faith that fully trusts you to do what you have promised.  Amen.

Our Father does not determine his answer to our prayers because of the sincerity of our prayers.  Our Father does not decide to answer our prayers because of how much we trust and believe in him while we pray.  Our Father answers our prayers simply because of his mercy.  Our Father answers our prayers because of his deep love for you.  Our Father hears and answers us because of his Son, Jesus.  This is why he hears.  This is why he answers.  And this is why we will keep on praying. 

Thursday, November 5th

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  John 15:13

Dear Jesus, You had the greatest love to lay down your life for me.  I am forever grateful.  But you have also led American soldiers, both men and women, to express that love for all of us fellow Americans by laying down their lives for us.  Today on Memorial Day, I am forever grateful for their ultimate sacrifice for my freedom and tranquility in the United States of America.  Thank you for giving me this gift of grace, so undeserved.  Today, bless families of American service people fallen in the line of duty for me.  Give them peace and purpose to go forward without their loved ones in the same altruism that they exhibited for all of us. 

Nothing establishes our value more than another person giving up their life for ours. 

Wednesday, November 4th

“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’  Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.  Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify god.  Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” John 21:17-19

Dear Jesus, How patiently you reinstated Peter to his life’s purpose of apostleship.  You wouldn’t guilt shame or the attractions of fishing get him off mission.  When I hear you talking to him, I think about my own life.  I do love you and all you do for me.  I want others to know you too.  Help me live on mission too.  Keep me from getting lost in my own goals or guilt so much that I miss opportunities to share your word with people.  Help me to fulfill your mission for my life instead of creating my own mission and asking you to bless it.  I ask all this to your glory so that the world may know you through their dealings with me.  Amen.

Only one life to live and soon it will pass.  Only one life to live and only what is done for Christ will last. 

Tuesday, November 3rd

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb.  He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.  The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.  He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)      John 20:6-9

Dear Jesus, How graciously and lovingly you condescended to give your first followers what they needed to believe that you had risen from the dead.  What they witnessed coupled with your prophetic word rose up to give them a foundation for faith that saved their eternal souls.  It does the same for me.  Because they witnessed your resurrection and reminded us of the Old Testament promises, I believe that you have saved me and all people from the terrors of death and hell.  I’m going to survive these troubles in my life and live on forever because you rose from the dead.  Help me to proclaim your rescue to the people I know who are still living as if this world with all its fatalities is all there is.  Give me the courage and creativity to give them your hope that has become my hope.  Amen.

Christians live in an eternal morning filled with hope of a new day. 

Monday, November 2nd

“Later Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.  Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.  With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.  He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.  Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.  Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.  This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.  At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.  Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”        John 19:38-42

Dear Jesus, At first you borrowed a manger.  Then you borrowed a house.  After that, you borrowed a boat from which to preach.  You borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem and then an upper room to have your Lord’s Supper.  At last you even borrowed a grave.  You own everything and yet you borrowed it all from people to whom you had lent it.  All this you borrowed so that I might borrow your righteousness.  Thank you for borrowing so I might live in peace and hope all my days.  Give me the same kind of abandonment that loves people instead of things and makes their restoration the goal of my interactions with them.  And accept my offerings for you just as you did Joseph’s and Nicodemus’ as the proclamation of my faith that you the greatest thing that ever happened to this planet.  Amen.

He borrowed everything that we might borrow his righteousness. 

Saturday, October 31st

Lord God, I praise you for making me a partaker of the blessings of the Reformation.  Without any merit or worthiness on my part, you sent your Holy Spirit into my heart and brought me to faith in your dear son, Jesus Christ.  You made it known to me the worthlessness of my own good deeds and the perfect merit of Christ.  You have directed my faith away from the commandments of men and caused me to rest my hope only on the great and precious promises of your Gospel.  You have revealed the beauty of your grace, which rescued me from a just condemnation and assured me of certain salvation in Christ.  Grant me your grace that I may receive your forgiveness with thanksgiving and reflect your mercy in thanks-living.  Use me as your witness in bringing the message of pardon in Christ to my neighbors everywhere.  Amen.

Friday, October 30th

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, but put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  John 19:28-30

Dear Jesus, Your bucket list was to live and die for all of us.  You had no ambitions to exploit this temporal world for your own entertainment.  You were 100% committed to finishing your life without succumbing to one temptation no matter how hard it was or how good the temptation looked.  You wanted only to fulfill Scripture so we could find you for ages on the pages of your word.  You wanted to settle the score for every human that would ever live.  You wanted to save the world!  And so, what a triumphant cry it was for you to say, “It is finished!”  I on the other hand will die with regrets about unfinished projects, un-repaired relationships, unfulfilled dreams and wasted moments that I can never get back.  I find great peace in knowing that your finished life envelopes my incomplete sojourn.  Thank you for giving me the freedom to live my life for others without grieving too much over my losses.  Amen.

Jesus died without regret so we’d have a place to hide ours!

Thursday, October 29th

“So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”  Acts 11:17

Lord God, forgive me.  I have treated fellow Christians and new Christians as second class.  I have said that they have the full rights of every Christian, but I have treated them otherwise.  I have not fully embraced them.  I have expected them to become more like me.  It should have been me who became more like them.  Forgive me.  I have kept them at arms distance.  I have looked sideways at them.  I have thought negatively of them.  Forgive me.  Help me to embrace souls with the very same love with which you have embraced me.  You have removed my sin and given me the full rights of sonship.  You have fully embraced me as one of yours.  Help me by your Spirit to fully embrace all into your family without reservation, with open hearts and open arms.  Amen.

As the Holy Spirit adds new people to the fold of the holy Christian church, what will we do to fully embrace these new members?  What will we give up?  O what will we hold tightly?  What are willing to lose so that the body of Christ wins?  This is the question that the Jerusalem council sought to answer.  It is one that we too must seek to answer. 

Wednesday, October 28th

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’” Acts 10:34-35

Father, Help me to see your hand in my life and not to make decisions about how you care about me because of how things are going in my life.  Your Father’s heart is always smiling on me and my life even when trouble and discipline come.  In fact, help me to see that discipline means that you truly do love me.  If there was no discipline, then I would have to conclude that you don’t care about me like a father.  Help me to know and to rejoice in this truth, that you have appointed a purpose and a calling for my life, that you have given me gifts that you want me to use.  And you have done the same for others, but it may not look the same.  I’m sorry Father.  Sometimes I get jealous of the lives that other people have or the gifts that others have.  I want to be more like them and less like me.  In my jealousy I am complaining about the work that you have done.  Forgive me, dear Jesus.  Help me to rejoice in the way you have loved me.  Help me also to rejoice in the way that you have loved others.  And then, make my heart like yours, so that as I go out into the world I do not show any sort of favoritism, but treat people with the same love that you have for them.  Amen.

The circumstances in each of our lives will be different, but the same God is ruling it all and loving us with his Father’s heart.  With him there is no favoritism. 

Tuesday, October 27th

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you.  So get up and go downstairs.  Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’”  Acts 10:19-20

Dear Holy Spirit, I see what you are doing in your church.  You are helping your church, starting with Peter, to see the world with new eyes.  The Jews viewed people with certain prejudices and opinions.  They viewed people and even things as clean or unclean.  But Jesus removed that designation and declared all people and things clean.  Your church needed to learn that then.  We need to learn that now.  Dear Spirit, where I am aware of internal opinions that I have about other people, reshape my opinions of people.  Help me to see them a new point perspective, yours!  Help me to see them a new point perspective, yours!  Where I am unaware of my feelings toward people, make me aware of those feelings so that I may love them with your love.  Dear Spirit-give me your eyes, give me your heart, give me your words.  I want to love people with the same heart that you have.  Create in me a new heart and I will spread your truth, the only truth that there is, to every person whom I meet.  Amen.

God-give us your eyes and your heart for all people no matter our differences may be!

Monday, October 26th

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.  Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”  Acts 9:31

Dear Jesus, sometimes I’m worried about how the church will fare.  I’m worried about how the church as an institution may be struggling right now.  I’m worried about how the people of the church may be struggling and languishing at a time when we are unable to gather together.  I’m wondering how the gospel will reach people when conversations between people is discouraged in person.  I’m worried about the church and the mission, but I shouldn’t be.  God, your track record throughout history is impeccable.  You have always surprised the church with the way that you are working.  You have always done unexpected things.  Your mission presses forward even in the most desperate, oppressive times.  Teach me to trust you and to wait and see what you’re going to do next.  In addition, keep pouring out your Spirit on your people and on your church that we might seize this moment for your glory and for the spread of the Gospel.  Help and strengthen your church, O God.  Amen.

Enjoy this moment, dear church.  It is a great time to be alive, a great time to be a part of God’s holy church. 

Saturday October 24th

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Acts 9:18-20

Lord Jesus, When you called me to the faith everything changed for me.  Holy Spirit, when you entered my heart everything changed for me.  You cast out my sin.  You made my heart a place where you would dwell.  In that instant you changed me completely and 180 degrees.  Come to me today, Holy Spirit, and be my ally in my struggle against sin.  I have all kinds of emotions and thoughts and words and actions welling up in my spirit that war against me.  I have not power of my own, so come to me Holy Spirit and be my closest ally in my struggle and war against sin.  Come to me, today, Holy Spirit, and be my closest friend to encourage, to build me up, and to empower me to go out and live a new life.  Come to my side and encourage me to live for you with all that I am and all that I have.  I am not who I used to be.  I am 180 degrees different.  Help me walk in the footsteps of my Savior Jesus.  Amen.

You are not who you used to be.  You are someone new, brand new, and 180 degrees different.  The Holy Spirit did this without your asking, without your choosing, even without your earning.  But aren’t you glad that he did!?!  Now you have an ally against sin.  Now you have an encourager in your life as you live for him. 

Friday, October 23rd

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”  Acts 9:4

Jesus, Sometimes I forget what a big deal sin is to you.  I forget how offensive, how odious, how personal sin is to you.  No matter what the sin is you take it personally.  No matter how I have sinned against other people, you take it as a personal attack against your person when I sin.  Forgive me, Jesus.  Forgive me not just for the sins I have committed, but the way I have personally sinned against you in my sins against others.  Forgive me for the way I have wounded your heart and come after you in my sin.  Forgive me.  And teach me to follow you in fuller, zealous ways.  Teach me to chase your mission and to pursue it with all my might.  Teach me to zealous in keeping your commands.  Teach me to bend over backwards for those around me that they might be saved and that they might know you.  Teach me to follow you to bear the cross wherever you lead.  Amen.

For Jesus this is personal.  He will do what he must to call out of sin and into the new life of a Christ-follower.

Thursday, October 22nd

“The Jewish leaders insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’  When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.  ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.  ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said.  ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’  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 19:7-11

Dear Jesus, Oh how precisely you penetrated Pilate’s heart.  In his angst over being manipulated by the Jews to act against his conscience he vented on you that he had power to release or execute you.  He was scrambling to be respected by someone, anyone, even his victim.  But what he needed was to be looking for the power to do the right thing.  But alas, sinner that he was a failure (like me).  You pointed out the lie he believed that he had autonomous authority.  You reminded him that he had a responsibility to God for how he ruled.  Then you helped him see that there was a difference between Caiaphas and him.  Pilate was guilty of sin, but not the sin of hate, envy and murder.  He was guilty of mitigating justice for personal preservation.  Pilate wanted to release you, Jesus, and said he had the authority to do it.  But he didn’t have the selfless guts to do it.  Caiaphas was on a rampage of hate and paranoia.  Pilate was just being a selfish coward.  Both were damming sins but they were not the same.  You wanted Pilate to know that you knew his sin better than he did.  You came to redeem him from his sin but you were not like the devil, pointing it out bring him down.  You were pointing it out to rescue him from it through grace, a grace you were paying for with your willing suffering at Pilate’s own hands, even at this moment the blood was dripping off your brow and back.  Oh, the depths of the riches of your grace.  Pilate didn’t listen to your confrontational invitation to believe in you.  But I am listening.  I know you know my sins better than I do.  I know you don’t blame me for other’s sins.  You confront me about mine so I will turn myself in for grace.  Here I am.  Wash me in your love.  Amen.

All true spirituality revolves around honesty about ourselves and honesty about Jesus. 

Wednesday, October 21st

“’You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.  Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king.  In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’  ‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate.  With this he went out.”  John 18:37-38

Dear Jesus, How faithfully you tried to tug Pilate into the fire of your love and truth.  And how quickly he rebuffed you.  You came to give him the truth that would save him.  He cast your invitation aside with a denial of all truth.  Don’t allow me to be so dismissive with you.  Help me by your Holy Spirit to listen to your word with an interested heart.  Make me a truth seeker today and every day.  And give me the truth of your mercy to cover my life which is in desperate need of grace.  Amen.

The truth about Christ and us is as dependable as gravity.