Tuesday, March 30th

“’Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.’  When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.  They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.”  Matthew 21:44-45

Dear Jesus, You pulled out all the stops on Tuesday of Holy Week.  You preached pointed words in an effort to give the Jewish leaders what many others were receiving.  You wanted them in heaven with you but they would not admit to themselves their need for grace.  You called yourself the stone that they (the builders) had rejected.  And you said if they would not let you break their pride into pieces then you would crush them in judgment.  It’s judgment now while we can be forgiven or it’s judgment on the last day when it will be too late.  You don’t care what we have wasted when it comes to salvation.  You just want us to be honest and admit our need for you.  I know my sins.  I am broken by your law.  I need your grace.  Forgive me and heal my heart from guilt and shame.  Give me a pure heart that does not pride itself in anything.  But also give me a pure heart that believes it is truly forgiven.  Finally, help me reflect this humble but liberated posture to those with whom I live and move today.  Amen.

Nothing compares to a soul cleansed of self-made pride or guilt. 

Monday, March 29th

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”  Proverbs 25:21-22

Dear Lord, My natural inclination is to get even or to reject people that rub me the wrong way.  I am challenged by your word here to love them boldly.  I understand that if I was an ancient person it would be like giving my evil neighbor a full jar of coals for his fire if he came by and asked for them to warm his house and cook his food.  It would be a testimony to your unconditional love living in my heart.  I do want people to meet you.  Help them to meet you in me.  I trust you will bless me as I love others hugely in your name.  Amen.

Strive to say with Jesus, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.”

Saturday, March 27th

“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteousness, that he might bring you to God.”  1 Peter 3:18

Lord Jesus, Such freedom and joy is mine.  You suffered for all my sins, all of them.  All of the sins of this week, all of the sins of my past, even for all the sins of my future.  You suffered for all of my sins just once.  And you did it all righteously and innocently.  You didn’t deserve a single lick that you got from your enemies.  You didn’t deserve a single stroke of the justice that your Father doled out to you.  And yet you suffered all of that for me.  You suffered all of that so that you might bring me to God.  You have opened the way for me into God’s presence so that I might see him, live with him, and come to him.  This next week, dearest Jesus, as I see you make your way into Jerusalem to suffer for all of our sins, help me to see what you’re doing.  You’re going into Jerusalem to take away my sins.  You’re going there to die for all of my sins.  You’re going there to bring me to God.  Lord Jesus, thank you for this your deepest passion.  It is my salvation.  It is my entry into God’s presence.  Amen.

Friday, March 26th

“Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.  Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.  The poor are shunned by all their relatives-how much more do their friends avoid them!  Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.”  Proverbs 19:4, 6-7

Lord Jesus, When I consider true friendship as Solomon teaches me, I’m tempted to identify people in my life who are my truest friends and those who are not.  But that isn’t Solomon’s intent.  He isn’t teaching me whom to avoid.  He is teaching me how I might befriend people.  He calls me to be a true friend even when there is nothing in it for me, but only something in it for them.  He teaches me to be present especially when something is needed from me.  I pray, Lord Jesus, give me these kinds of friends to walk with me in life and toward eternity so that I might live with you forever.  Make me this kind of friend and put me in people’s lives so that I can walk with them toward eternity.  And, most of all, be this kind of friend for me.  Stay close to me Jesus and walk with me until I live with you forever.  Amen.

Jesus is this kind of friend to you.  He has promised that he himself will be with you always to the very end of the age.  He has promised that he will be with you through the valley of the shadow of death.  He has promised to send you the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who will teach and remind you of everything God has spoken.  He will not abandon you.  And he will send you the little “f” friends that you need to support and strengthen you.  He has not let you down yet and he isn’t about to start.

Thursday, March 25th

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.  Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”  Proverbs 23:4-5

Dear Heavenly Father, When I read your proverbs, I sense that you are guiding me in the middle road between two disastrous ditches.  The one ditch is laziness and the other is selfish ambition.  Here you are helping me with the latter.  It’s so easy to get out of balance.  Sometimes I can make seizing opportunities the only thing.  That’s when I start to work too many hours and tend to neglect relationships.  It’s not long before I’m tired, cranky and feeling isolated.  I love how you demote the accumulation of wealth to its proper place in my heart.  I love your word, Lord.  That line, “Don’t wear yourself out to get rich” says it all.  My health and relationships are more valuable than wealth.  Oh God, help me to live a balanced life as you have so graciously taught me.  I want to be industrious but balanced.  Your wisdom for your finite creatures is worth more than all the gold in the world.  Amen.

Don’t let time, your most valuable possession, be wasted will you try too hard to accumulate more stuff.

Wednesday, March 24th

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.  The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.  One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:10-11, 24

Lord Jesus, I am tempted to put up walls in my heart and life just to stay safe.  I bury things in my heart so that people don’t really know me.  I live in fear that people might learn these things about me.  I live in fear that people would stay away from me if they really knew me.  I also set up safeguards in other parts of my life too, walls to keep me safe.  I trust my saving, my security system, in short, I trust all sorts of things in my life to keep me safe.  But those walls crumble and fall.  And in the end, I am still scared even when the walls are standing tall.  Help me, dear Savior, to run to you in every fear.  Help me, dear Savior, to find my true and complete security and safety in you alone.  Surround me with friends who will lead me to trust in you and to run to you in every trouble.  You alone keep me safe in time and for all eternity.  Amen.

I have true security in Christ.  He is the true friend who sticks closer than a brother (v. 24).  With him I am not fearful, with him I am confident and will face life with courage and confidence. 

Tuesday, March 23rd

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”  Proverbs 20:5

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have used your words over many years to draw out of the deep places of my heart what are my motives and purposes.  For a lifetime you have revealed, forgiven and redirected my patiently.  Also, thank you for the wise people you sent to draw out the deep waters that run within me.  Thank you for giving me the pleasure of learning how to draw deep waters out of others too.  Please, please, please, continue to give me people who can draw out of my heart what I need to see in order to stay emotionally and spiritually mature and on the right path in life.  Help me to live in the truth about both you and me today.  Amen.

Hang out with people who are honest about God and you and leave the happy fools to their own folly.

Monday, March 22nd

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.  All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.  Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  The Lord works out everything to its proper end-even the wicked for a day of disaster.”  Proverbs 16:1-4

Lord, Thank you for your wise rule and your good purpose.  I’m trying really hard to figure out my life, to lay out a plan for it, and then to carry it out.  But the longer I live here the more I realize that my plans are not that great and my ability to carry them out is so limited.  I want to make plans that are good.  I want to lay out an agenda for my day and weak that seeks to serve you and your kingdom.  So, Lord, make me wise by your Spirit to lay out wise plans for my day and for my life.  Then, teach me to commit my plans to you, to hand them over to you, for your editing and for your guiding.  I trust that you will re-write my plan to serve your saving purpose.  And when you do, Lord, hope me to submit to and accept the purpose you have ordained.  You are wise in your rule and good in your purpose.  Carry it out today through me.  Amen.

Saturday, March 20th

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.”  Proverbs 19:21

Dear Lord, I have had many plans just like you said.  Only a few really panned out the way I had hoped.  You used your almighty power and omnipotent intelligence to twist even the smallest of events to work for my salvation, spiritual growth, or ability to bless others.  You have moved and positioned me for better living, stopped me from terrible mistakes and have used mistakes for my learning.  Looking back I can see the road that led to you and for you.  It gives me peace to face the rest of my life with confidence.  I will work my plans today trusting that your purposes will make them useful however you wish.  Amen.

God loves to work our plans into his purposes. 

Friday, March 19th

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”  Proverbs 15:1

Lord God, I recognize that the words from my mouth have a tremendous power to savew or to kill, to heal or to destroy, to stir up trouble or to bring calm to the trouble.  I also see how my mouth has caused me and others tremendous pain.  Forgive me for a sinful, hurtful and hateful words.  And then, work in my heart, Lord, so that my heart might be wise.  Help me to think carefully about ky words.  Help me to control the words that come out of my heart so that I stop words that should not be said.  Control my tongue by your Spirit so that my words are pleasing in your sight and helpful, yes, even saving for those to whom I say them.  Amen.

There is such power in the tongue, in the words that we use, in the words that we choose, in the words that we don’t say.  There is such power in the tongue to serve and to save. 

Thursday, March 18th

“A person’s riches may ransom their life, but their poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.”        Proverbs 13:8

Dear Heavenly Father, Even in this ancient text you remind people that you give everyone an opportunity to make profit from their efforts and to save money.  Keep me from being self-righteously poor in my own perspective of myself.  Give me the wisdom to find the balance between saving and sharing.  Help me to keep away from wasteful spending that prevents me from being positioned to help myself and others later.  Make me money-wise in a faith-based way.  All I have comes from you.  Don’t let me waste any of it.  Amen.

Managing possessions is a privilege and responsibility.

Wednesday, March 17th

“Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways….The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure….Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress and for their children it will be a refuge.  The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death….A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.  Whoever oppresses e poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.  When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.”  Proverbs 14:2, 16, 26-27, 30-32

Lord, Sometimes as I make decision during the day I make them without giving much thought to you.  Sometimes my thoughts run wild in my heart and mind and I do not take the time to take those thoughts captive to you, O Christ.  There are times when I find myself chasing and pursuing things that are not you.  Forgive me for this, O Savior.  And help me to live my life today in view of what you give me, in view of the purpose you have poured into my life, and in complete view of your rule for me.  You have given me all good things, even heaven.  You have given me a purpose for my life.  You rule over all things for my good and for your eternal purposes.  As I live with my eyes on you, give me a content heart.  As I live with you today, give me generous hands.  As walk in this world today, keep me safe from all evil.  As I walk out my life today, keep my feet on your path as you guide me by your Spirit.  Amen.

The one who lives their life in view of the Lord lives an entirely different life and lives for an entirely different reason.

Tuesday, March 16th

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”  Proverbs 18:3

Dear Heavenly Father, Give me the desire to gain understanding that is so strong that I don’t even form an opinion about matters until I’ve heard every possible angle.  I want to be done with quick judgments and strong early opinions.  I want to let you teach me through your word and through the people around me.  I want to fully understand what is going on in the lives of the people I love.  Open my ears and my heart to compassionately listen and respond.  Shut my mouth until I am totally sure that what I am going to say will bless people and not hurt them.  Amen.

It takes great strength and love to listen to another with an open heart. 

Monday, March 15th

“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.  From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”  Proverbs 13:1-3

Lord God, I pray that you would help me to crucify my sinful nature this morning.  It wants to control me.  It wants to kill me.  It wants to lead me astray.  It wants to lead me to lose control of my tongue, to lose control of my thoughts, to lose control of my actions so that I serve sin and not you.  God, this would kill me.  So I pray this morning, Father, crucify my sinful nature in me by the blood of your son Jesus, and raise up in me a new man, a new person who is eager and willing to serve you.  Holy Spirit, control me, live inside me and work powerfully by the resurrection of Jesus so that I might live for you all day long.  Lord, I’m yours.  Lead me, guide me, and control me so that everything I think, say and do is moved and worked by you.  Amen.

Who is ruling you?  Today is a new day to wake up and crucify the sinful nature that lives in you.  To kill the sinful desires that rule in your heart.  To repent.  And then to rise up in the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus.  I am ruled by Christ.  I am powered by the Holy Spirit. 

Saturday, March 13th

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.  Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.  No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.”  Proverbs 12:1-3

Lord God, As I live my life in this world there are times when I feel an abundance of pressure on my shoulders.  I feel pressure to measure up in your side.  I have a deep desire to avoid pain and suffering.  I worry and am concerned about many things in my life.  I even carry the weight of my sin in my heart, even trying to cover it up and hide it from people and from you.  But, Lord, you do not want me to carry any of this weight.  You sent your Son to bear away the guilt of all my sin.  You always promise to forgive me.  In addition, you also promise to handle all the things that I am worried about.  I am worried, but God I know that you are not.  You not only know how it will all work out in the end, but you are also actively in charge of everything in my life.  When pain enters my life, you are actively working to shape, mold and model me after your likeness.  It’s all good for me!  So, Lord, help me to live freely, unburdened, and untethered from all that would weigh me down today.  Help me to rise up and live freely in your grace and mercy.  You Lord are good and your love for me endures forever.  Amen.

The wicked are constantly conniving, scheming, etc. to accomplish what they desire on their own.  There is no diligence.  There is no integrity.  There is blustery, destructive, lying and deceptive speech.  When discipline comes they seek to escape it.  There is so much more pressure here because the wicked are trying to accomplish what they want apart from God and apart from what is wise and good.  There is no foundation for the stupid.  They will be uprooted.  The righteous, on the other hand, will be more deeply rooted and will never be uprooted. 

Friday, March 12th

“Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.”  Proverbs 14:9

Dear Heavenly Father, How difficult it must be for you to sit up in heaven and watch as we sinners hurt one another, fail to recognize needs and treat each other with disrespect-and then refuse to make amends by apologizing.  Apology and forgiveness create so much goodwill all the time.  Help us to plant its seeds at our every turn.  Help us to value the relationships we have more than our own feelings and hurt.  Give us the ability to let things go, to apologize and to freely forgive.  Help us to imitate what you did for us on the cross.  We want the same kind of grace-filled amnesia that you have.  It makes relationships with sinners possible.  As I ponder this verse today, give me courage to admit to myself and you that I need to apologize to certain people.  Then, give me the ability to actually go to them and ask for forgiveness without excuse.  Amen.

Under grace even our sinful mistakes are an opportunity to spread good will around God’s world. 

Thursday, March 11th

“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.  The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”  Proverbs 10:20-21

Lord, Make my heart new and pure.  Of my own power, I cannot make my heart new.  I cannot control my tongue.  I am too weak.  My sinful nature is too corrupt and too powerful.  So, I pray, dear Savior, send your Holy Spirit to make my heart new.  I pray, dear Savior, kill my sinful heart and make it dead.  Then, raise up a new heart in me.  Create a new heart in me!  Then, Lord, give me power from your Spirit to control my tongue.  Give me wisdom from our Word to speak what is true and loving and helpful and encouraging.  Give me words which build up, which instruct, and lead many to righteousness.  Amen.

When Jesus changes our hearts and makes us new through faith and by the work of the Holy Spirit, then tongue is new.  Then we can speak words that are a blessing to others.  Then we can speak words that bring life and nourishment to the hearts of others.  Then we learn and are more able to hold our tongues and listen more.  Then we are able to think clearly about the conversation so that we can bring a wise word from God to it.  Then we gain discernment from the Spirit so that we know when to speak, what to say, and even if to speak up. 

Wednesday, March 10th

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.  If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”  Proverbs 9:10-12

Lord God, There are many voices in this world calling out to me and offering up their invitation.  They call me to come and then they promise to satisfy and give me what they say is good.  It seems and sounds a lot like wisdom.  It even looks to be good.  That’s what Eve saw too when she looked at the fruit.  She saw a fruit that was pleasing to the eye.  She desired to have the knowledge that was promised her.  It seemed good, but death was in the fruit.  Lord, the voices of folly have multiplied.  I pray, as I step into this day, help me to tune my hearing and my ears to the truth of your Word and to the voice of my Shepherd.  Help me to know the difference between his Voice and the voice of those who seek to kill and destroy me.  Grant me wisdom to know the difference.  Grant me strength to stay away.  Satisfy me this morning with your unfailing love that I may be glad and serve you all of my days.  Amen.

It all starts here:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Without faith none of God’s things will make sense because they are spiritually discerned.  In this, as we get to know God better, as we gain deeper and better knowledge of the Holy One then we will gain understanding about who we are and how we are to live our lives in this world.  When we know God better, then we understand life and our place in it better.  This makes us more godly and keeps us from “folly”. 

Tuesday, March 9th

 “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.  People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.”  Proverbs 11:24-26

Dear Heavenly Father, You and people recognize the supreme value of a generous person.  When I share, everyone is blessed including you and me.  Rescue me from stingy attitudes that make me fearful that you aren’t watching to see my faith driven sharing.  Pry my selfish fingers from money and things as if they give me life.  Help me find joy in putting them to work for others and not just myself.  Make me a happy go lucky servant of others in the way I freely let them share in my borrowed wealth from you.  Make me like your Son who freely shared the greatest treasure with me at the greatest price.  Amen.

Generosity is easy to see from a distance because it reaches way beyond ourselves. 

Monday, March 8th

“With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.  My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.  I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.  For those who find me, find life and receive favor from the Lord.”  Proverbs 8:18-21

Lord Jesus, I need you.  I realize more and more how weak and frail I am.  I am helpless against sin.  I daily make poor decisions because of my own limitations and my sinful nature inside of me.  I need you!  I need the salvation that you won on your cross.  I need the intervention of your great power that you put to work when you created the world with the Father.  I need the life that you give.  I need the forgiveness that flows from your blood.  I need resurrection in spirit and, later, in my body.  I need you and all of the gifts that you give.  With you are truly all riches!  Come to me this day, dear Jesus, and pour out your gifts on me.  Amen.

He gives us forgiveness.  He gives us grace.  He gives us resurrection.  He gives us an eternal inheritance.  He gives us true life.  And more!  “Those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 8:35).