Wednesday July 14th

All who served carved images, those who boast in idols, will be put to shame. All the gods must worship him.” Psalm 97:7

O God in Heaven, You are the King above all kings and the only true God, above all gods. You are the God of glory, might, power and dominion. All things in heaven and on earth bow before your throne. At least we should; yes, Lord God, this includes me. I find myself trusting in other people and other things to protect and provide for me. I find myself looking to other people and other things to give me meaning and purposes in life. I find myself seeking joy and happiness in other places besides you. But these people and these things will only let me down. These people and things are nothing but idols and they can’t help but let me down because they aren’t you! Forgive me, Father! Forgive me for seeking good elsewhere. Forgive me for finding joy in other people. Forgive me for seeking safety in the arms of another. Forgive me and help me to make you my one and only. Teach me to fear, to love and trust you above all things. There is none like you. All other gods will disappoint me, but you never will. Amen.

Tuesday July 13th

“The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks are his. The sea is his; he made it. His and formed the dry land.”

Psalm 95:4-5O

God, You alone are God and all that exists in this world is yours. The depths of the earth, the mountain heights, the seas and oceans, along with all the land. It’s easy for me to believe and rejoice in your created works and be glad that it is yours. But I often forget that the little stuff is yours too. That every penny in my bank account and every cent that is included in my paycheck is yours too. That every item in my closet and every tool in my garage is yours. Every moment of each day is yours. All that I call “mine” is really yours. It is your time, a gift that you give me to serve you and others. It is all your money and your budget, a gift that you give me to serve you and others. It is all your money and your budget, a gift that you give me to manage to seek first your kingdom. They are your possessions, a gift to me to be used to serve the world. All that I am and all that I have is yours. Help to me worship and honor you with all that I am and all that I have today. Amen

Monday July 12th

“The LORD will not forsake his people or abandon his heritage.” Psalm 94:14

LORD, I look into the world and I see injustice in it. I even see injustice in my own life. But God, you promise never to leave me or forsake me. Work out justice for me and for all people in this world. Reign with your mighty power. I find Evil and sin standing in the way of the mission you have given me. Deliver us from Evil and get rid of all obstacles to your Word. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing hold and losing ground, always falling further behind and never getting ahead. Come Lord and help me. I am overwhelmed by the duties and responsibilities laid upon me. The cross is heavy Lord. Come and bring me your word of comfort that I might be strengthened and sustained. Help me Lord. I’m not letting go until you bless me. Amen

Saturday July 10th

“The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken .” Psalm 93:1

Lord God, I am often troubled by the future. I imagine all kinds of “what ifs” and other possibilities. Some of those possibilities excite me to imagine that they may come true. But much of what I imagine frightens me ,because it might come to pass. I’m worried. I’m afraid. I’m consumed by thoughts about what might be.

Lord God, you reign. This is all I need to remember. You sit on your throne in majesty, robed in might and strength. You truly hold all things in your hands and control all things with your powerful Word. You truly govern the nations so I don’t fear the election. You truly rule over all the events in my life so I don’t fear that may or may not come to pass. Help me to hear your voice: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in me.” You Lord, are trustworthy. Teach me to trust you. Amen.

Friday July 9th

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many thing sin parables,” Matthew 12:1-3

Dear Jesus, You have such a passion that every single person has an opportunity to hear your word that you made adjustments to get the word to the crowd. I have recreated your moment by pushing out into a boat a ta campground to teach 150 youth on shore. I see how it worked for you. It only makes me admire you more .Help me to make the same effort with your word for people around me. I want them to hear the word and understand it for their spiritual well-being. Give your churches men and women who will help their pastors use technology to advance the ministry of the word in ways that all people can receive it. Give all of us Christians a passion for sharing the good news in relevant and meaningful ways too. Help your people help the world to find you! Amen.

The word of God is too valuable to waste on shoddy presentations and static laden airwaves.

Thursday July 8th

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12

O Father, It is simply stounding the way you take care of me. You don’t just watch from a distance, you protect me with your own mighty arm. You don’t just sit on a park bench and watch me while you read the news paper, you send angels for me, just for me. You give them orders and directions about me. Angels are not just your servants, but you also give them as mighty servants for me. They are given for me, to serve me as I wait for my eternal salvation. God, dear Father in heaven, your care for me is beyond comprehension. Amen.

Wednesday July 7th

“Better a day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10

O God, There is no place I would rather be. The way of the wicked may seem good in the moment, but that’s all the longer that the pleasure lasts. The way of the wicked may seem good during this life, but that’s all the longer that their path might flourish. It won’t last. In fact, you make it clear that the wicked and unbelieving will perish forever. But with you-that’s where I want to be. You shield me with your power and protection, shielding me from the fiery darts of the Evil One and even directing all the evil intents of other people for my good and the good of your church. You daily pour out your blessings on me giving me all that I need, even giving me Jesus and the full forgiveness of all my sin. You give me the victory over all things through baptism, through faith in the resurrection of your Son. I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me that much. O God, it is so good to be with you. I’ll open the door to your house any day. Just let me be near you. Amen.

Tuesday July 6th

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45

Dear Jesus, You love to live in our hearts through your word. You know that we cannot survive spiritually against the band of demons roaming the earth if we are depend on our moral strength to keep our hearts clean. We need you there with your purging grace and restoring truth .Stay in my heart through your Holy Spirit and give me your power to keep our hearts clean. We need you there with your purging grace and restoring truth. Stay in my heart through your Holy Spirit and give me your power to keep my life safe from all the destructive influence of the devils’ lies. Give me your keen spiritual discernment to tell the difference between good and evil. Make your love the driving force for all my thoughts. Amen.

Let Jesus answer the door when the devil comes knocking on your heart

Monday July 5th

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” Matthew 12:46-50

Dear Jesus, They thought you were crazy. That’s why they came to get you. My family has thought I was crazy too at times, although, it was probably for different reasons. Your answer makes me realize that faith is thicker than blood. I feel closer to people who believe in you and want to follow your word than I do to my own kinfolks who live reckless lives. I feel closer to people who love you and aren’t afraid to say it than I do to people and friends who love money more than anything else. It’s no wonder, because not everyone has been born again by your Holy Spirit. Help me to find comfort in the believers with whom I share life, especially when I feel far from relatives. Also, help me to unconditionally love those I don’t feel close to. They need to see you work through me and for them, even though we are different. Amen.

When God adopts you into his family he gives you lots of siblings.

Saturday July 3rd

“Lord, you have been our refuge in every generation. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

Lord God, The most permanent things here only prove to be temporary. Permanent markers wash away after a week. Tattoos fade over time. Even the most stable governments crumble over time. Nothing lasts. No one is truly permanent. Except you. Before everything was, you were. After this world ends, you will still be. You are the one lasting, permanent and eternal constant. Teach me-though I am but dust and a mist that is here then vanishes-to hide myself in you and find my security in you. You are my lasting, eternal and permanent refuge for all my days and beyond. Amen.

Friday July 2nd

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”

Psalm 73:23

Lord God, You are good and gracious all the time. But sometimes it is hard to see it. Almost everything in this world seems to be turned upside down. Much in my life seems to be out of control. But God, you take me by the hand and lead me along in these uncharted and dangerous waters. There is nowhere along the way where your grace will not guide me, where your power will not protect me, or where you are not working all things for my good. You, O God, go before me; you are behind me; you walk by my side. So, Lord, take my hand and lead me along life’s way. Direct, protect and lead me, day by day. Without your hand, O Savior, I go astray. So take my hand and lead me! Amen.

Thursday July 1st

“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you. ’He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:38-45

Dear Jesus, Your death and resurrection out of perfect love for my soul is enough for me. Far be it from me to ever demand a sign ‘greater’ than that. There is none. I know you are the perfect God, because you are honest with me about my need, but at the same time you fill it. I cannot understand how you could be dead and then come back to life. But more than that, I cannot understand how you have given up your life for mine, sinner that I am. I believe it with all my heart. It gives me peace and joy. Thanks for making my life worth so much. Amen.

Don’t let any criticism touch your value. Jesus has established your worth for you

Wednesday June 30th

“Strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to you, LORD.” Psalm62:11b-12

Lord God, When I am afraid, I will trust in you. When I am planning, I will trust in you. When I am making precautions, I will trust in you. When I am overwhelmed, I will trust in you. In any and every situation, I will trust in you because you Lord God are strong. You always tip and even control the scales for my good. You are on my side. In any and every situation, I will trust in you because you Lord God are loving; in fact, you love me!! Amen.

Nothing happens to me and in my life that his love doesn’t see. And out of love, then, God always sees, responds, and acts for me and my good.

Tuesday June 29th

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” Matthew 12:30-32

Dear Jesus, Your words make me shudder. I wonder if I have committed the unpardonable sin. Then I remember that you are talking about a continual rejection of your Holy Spirit and his word. The fear I have of sinning against him is your desired effect. I do believe that I am a lost sinner without you. I do accept you as my Lord and Savior. I realize now that this is the mark of responding correctly to the Holy Spirit’s greatest work, creating and sustaining faith. Now, since I am at peace with you, come and help me today to speak in ways that honor you and show love for others, to help those who are needing it and to be joyful in hope. I am gathered with you on your team. Help me to wear the uniform with pride. Amen.

If you are afraid of committing the unpardonable sin, you haven’t

Monday June 28th

“So I gaze on you in the sanctuary, to see your strength and your glory.” Psalm 63:2

Lord God, You are the shade at my right hand who shelters me from the hot, beating sun. It will not harm me during the day; and the moon won’t harm me by night. You are my sentry who stands guard day and night watching over me so that nothing and no one will harm me. You do not slumber or sleep. You never fall asleep while on duty. Jesus, you are my salvation and my righteousness .Father, you are my Creator and the giver of every good and perfect gift. You have been and are working all things together for good. Shield and guide me today! Be my oasis and a place of refuge for me all day, no matter what it brings. Amen.

In his sanctuary, there in his presence, you will find rest and relief from all the stresses that come with the day. There you will find help with all the burdens that are laid on your shoulders. There you will find an oasis in the desert drear

Saturday June 26TH

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

Lord God, Teach me to pray first and act second. I’m so quick to go to work and get to solving. My first reaction is action. But that puts me in the “god” position. And that isn’t my role. You are my God and I love you. You are my Savior and you promise to rescue me. Teach me to pray first and act second. Amen.

Friday June 25th

“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.’” Matthew 12:15-21

Dear Jesus, Your disciple, Matthew, helps us understand what you were doing by withdrawing from the synagogue where they wanted to kill you. Droves and Jews and Gentiles followed you as you healed their diseases and showed them your grace for sinners. You were staying on point to bring grace to troubled sinners instead of breaking them off or snuffing them out. You were rescuing more people while you were avoiding getting caught too soon in the murderous plots of your enemies. You were being the totally awesome Savior even in sticky situations. I know you are still that totally awesome Savior in my sticky situations today. Help me to focus on blessing others even while I deal with menacing, tenacious problems that won’t seem to let me go. I want to live on point for you all the time through thick and thin. Amen.

Don’t try to figure out if it’s a good time to proclaim Christ. It’s always a good time to proclaim Christ

Thursday June 24th

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Psalm 46:1-3

Lord God, Help me to keep my eyes on you. I think about all the things in my life that cause me to tremble and make me afraid. The storms. The threats of people. The fear of troubles. The terror of sickness. The enemies abroad seem to make their way our direction. The sicknesses. Trouble and hardship. All kinds of things make me afraid. But you are bigger and stronger than all of these things. Help me to keep my eyes on you and to remember how big and strong you are so that I do not become afraid no matter what. Protect me and hide me in your arms. There I am always safe no matter what. Amen

Wednesday June 23rd

Why am I depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, mySavior, and my God.”

Psalm 42:5

Lord God, I am so tempted to become discouraged and depressed as I look inwardly at the circumstances and conditions of my life. Things aren’t going the way I thought they would. They aren’t happening as quickly as I want them to. Sometimes even when I am in a room full of people, I feel like I am on this journey and on this mission all by myself. Turn me away from my inward thoughts and inward focus and toward you and your grace. Help me see your plan and find hope in your promise. You will not let me down. You have a plan and a purpose for me; that plan is always good and your purpose for me is always the same-bring you glory! Lord God, turn me toward yourself once again today that I might serve you with joy, with gladness, and with great, great hope. Amen.

Tuesday June 22nd

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

My heart overflows with gratitude. On this national day of Thanksgiving, I am especially mindful of all that you provide me with-“clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own.” Yet none of that would mean anything to me without the greatest gift of all, salvation through Jesus Christ. May my gratitude overflow in deeds of love for you and others. Amen