Saturday, January 22nd

“Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.”  Isaiah 32:2

Dear Jesus, I love how you tell me that you will make me a shelter in the storm for other people.  I am yours Lord.   Lead me to the people that you want me to show this to.  And make me a stream of freshwater for their soul.  I will not be such a blessing if you don’t do this through me.  I need your words, I need your wisdom and strength.  Are you my savior and their Savior at the same time?  Make this day useful and a blessing.  Amen.

God loves to help others through his own people.

Friday, January 21st

“This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent-Jesus Christ.” John 17:3

Dear Lord Jesus, You had one thing on your heart and mind when you came to earth.  You wanted us to know God, our Father.  You wanted us to know you, the one sent by the Father to save the world.  You wanted us to know you and your Father that we might live with you forever in all glory.  Dearest Jesus, continue to reveal yourself to me in your Word that I might know you better.  Continue to make my Father known to me that I might grow closer to him.  Holy Spirit, keep teaching me that my eyes might be enlightened to see and know how long and wide and deep and high your love for me is, to know your power that passes all understanding, and to know your presence in any and every circumstance of life.  Dearest Jesus, continue to work in me to know you and to make you known.  Just as it was your mission to make your Father known, so let this be my main endeavor to make sure that people know who you are that by hearing they may believe.  Work this in me, O Spirit, and keep me in this faith until my dying breath.  Amen. 

Thursday, January 20th

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:17-18

Dear Jesus, Give me this wisdom from above.  I cannot produce it on my own.  Make me peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Help me see the supreme value of unity and togetherness.  Produce this wisdom between others AND ME.  Make it fun and peaceful for us to live and work together.  I want to live in the peaceful fruit of righteousness and help others experience it too.  Amen. 

Godly wisdom always heals, always helps, and always unites. 

Wednesday, January 19th

“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.  For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.  But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating or doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you.  Leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’  For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.’”  1 Peter 2:18-25

Dear Jesus, From heaven you decided to come to earth and endure the most foolish and cruel hardship to buy my salvation.  It never was about you.  It was always about me.  Give me your Spirit so I purposely follow your example when I experience hardship in my job.  I will commit my life and behavior to your care.  You can use my story to encourage others in the same way your life encourages me.  Don’t let me fall short by whining, quitting or trying to get even.  Amen.

Loving someone who has hurt you is supernatural behavior with supernatural consequences. 

Tuesday, January 18th

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.  Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”  1 Peter 2:13-16

Dear Jesus, You modeled how to submit to leaders in government and in the streets even when they are oppressive and represent causes you don’t approve.  You lived for a higher mission.  I want to live by your higher mission too.  I realize that makes me forego my opinion about the more menial rightness or wrongness of more common things.  Don’t let me become disrespectful and disobedient to officials during this pandemic just because I have a certain opinion about what they say about masks, vaccines or anything else for that matter.  Help me to respect police and clerks behind city desks.  I trust you to preserve my good behavior in their memory so you can remind them later that they should listen to your people because they saw my good life before them.  Amen.

Don’t be tempted to think that any political cause old or new can be the mega-guide for your behavior. 

Monday, January 17th

“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.  But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’”  1 Peter 3:7-8

Dear Jesus, You and your love have become the rock that my life is built on.  You give me stability, purposes and peace.  But I know people who scorn your name, ignore your message and make fun of people like me.  It’s comforting to see your apostle Peter reminding me that all this was spelled out in Scripture thousands of years ago.  You are the dividing line for all social grouping.  If a person is in Christ, he is my friend and family.  If not, he’s not.  Case closed.  Help me have an open heart to those who have closed theirs to you and me.  Make me comfortable being grouped with your people while being open to friendships with pagans.  Amen.

The trick of living as a Christian in the world is to take punches from people ignorant of Christ while not swinging back in frustration. 

Saturday, January 15th

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”  1 Peter 2:1-3

Dear Jesus, Just as great food satisfies my tongue, your great words satisfy my soul.  I marvel that you have chosen me of all people to understand the beautiful truths of your living word.  Every time I read them, they change my thinking, repair my attitude and restore my faith.  They satisfy a hunger deep within me.  I see people every day that are starved for your word.  They live in anger, bitterness, envy and fear.  They struggle with the power of selfishness and despair.  I have all those struggles too, but I have your word to combat them and to push them back out the door for my heart.  Help me to crave your words so I take time to “eat” them every day.  I want to live in the strength of the powerful gift you have given us.  Amen.

If you are tired of mulling through your own thoughts today, get off the merry-go-round and sit quietly with God’s word and ingest the newness of life.

Friday, January 14th

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’  And this is the word that was preached to you.”  1 Peter 1:22-25

Dear Jesus, It’s easy for me to think that if big things will change in my circumstances then I can really live.  But that’s not true.  The truth that you teach me here shows that the gospel changes me so that in all circumstances I can live a purposeful life of love toward all people.  I can do that when I am a small child with little influence and an old man in a death bed, and everything in between.  My flesh is like grass and will soon fade.  But the word about your love and the gift you bring, it endures forever.  So, help me to live out the gospel love you have given me today ad not to wait for changes in my circumstances to really start living.  Amen.

The gospel enables us to blossom where we are planted.  So, stop paying to be transplanted. 

Thursday, January 13th

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.  1 Peter 1:18-21

Dear Heavenly Father, Since you are eternal, the sacrifice you and Jesus made is an “ever present” event for you.  It’s as fresh in your mind as the morning dew.  I confess that it isn’t always as fresh in my mind.  But your word through Peter is helping make it more imminent.  My sins are current.  So, it’s very comforting to know your grace is fresh in your mind.  Help me to live today with holy fear and gratitude for what you give up every day for me in your heart.  Amen.

To the eternal God, Jesus died on the cross this very minute.  When was it to you? 

Wednesday, January 12th

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:17-21

Dear Jesus, How easily I fall into getting even.  It’s sometimes so subtle, only I and you know about it.  Other times I selfishly want it to be painfully obvious to the one who hurt me that I’m evening the score.  Either way, I see that I’m far from the faith filled “hands off” attitude you want from me.  I know that you want me to be grace filled and to leave justice to you.  I can’t do it without a supernatural makeover from your Holy Spirit.  Fill my heart with the Spirit’s love and make me a goodness factory.  I’m tired of keeping score and I’m tired of getting even.  I just want to love and be loved.  Only you can make that happen for me.  Amen.

Getting even is a myth.  It’s really a downward spiral into emptiness. 

Tuesday, January 11th

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

Dear Jesus, It’s one of the biggest choices I make every day.  Who will my friends be?  Who will I spend my time with?  How will I let them influence me?  I can see this passage coming true for me in both scenarios.  I’ve let some people be my friends indeed.  In my remaining days help me to make the tough choices of who my friends will be in real time and in my digital consumption.  Give me friends that will be grace-filled, word-of-God-driven, and exuding the fruit of the spirit.  In the same vein, make me that kind of friend for those who choose me for a friend too.  Finally, thank you for being the friend of sinners, even a sinner like me.  Amen.

Choose your friends carefully.  They will shape who you become in good times and bad. 

Monday, January 10th

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the most gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 2:7-10

Dear Lord, I never tire of needing this reminder from my friend, the Apostle Paul.  You send challenges and difficulties my way from all angles in order to keep me humble.  You make me weak so I need your strength.  You want to be my everything, not just my something.  Your grace is your benevolent promise to meet all my needs in your time and way.  Help me to hold on to your grace and avoid treating you like the big vacation planner in the sky.  I know that my eternal rest will begin when this epic struggle is over.  Be my rest internally today while I wait for my rest eternally that will come at the end.  Amen.

God isn’t just a big thing in our lives.  He’s everything. 

Saturday, January 8th, 2022!!

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.”  1 Peter 1:10-12

Dear Jesus, By grace you chose me to learn what you had your prophets write down for centuries about your life and sacrifice for mine.  By grace you had apostles tell their stories about how you lived out the prophecies right in front of you.  By grace you had family and Sunday school teachers faithfully teach me the grand story of the Bible.  By grace you had mentors available to talk me through my doubts and guide me to your promises.  By grace you sent your Holy Spirit who used your word from the prophets, apostles and my mentors to give me faith in your salvation for me.  Here in the first chapter of Peter’s he leads us in a word of praise (doxology) over the grace you have showered on us through all these people.  I am “wowed” by your grace.  I am privileged not because of race but because of grace.  Help me to live this grateful and graceful mindset all day today.  Amen.

Live in gratitude for grace today or destine yourself to be a confused, ignorant, curmudgeon. 

Friday, January 7th, 2022!!

“’Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory?  How does it look to you now?  Does it not seem to you like nothing?  But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD.  ‘Be strong, Joshua song of Jozadak, the high priest.  Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work.  For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt.  And my Spirit remains among you.  Do not fear.’  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.  ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”        Haggai 2:3-9

Dear Heavenly Father, I am intrigued by this word you sent through the prophet, Haggai, when the rag tag remnant of your people was rebuilding your temple for you.  You comforted the older people that although the rebuilt temple would nowhere near match the old one, that you would give it more glory by sending your Son and his gospel there.  In the same way, I have often wondered what it is about my home church building that makes me like it.  It’s not because it’s the most beautiful building I have ever worshiped in.  It’s so much more.  It’s because I meet your Son there and I receive his mercy and peace.  My heart is purified, set right and comforted when I’m there.  Thank you for my home church and your servants who labor there to bring Jesus to my heart.  Amen.

If you have a home church where one or more servants bring you Jesus, you are among the most privileged souls on the planet. 

Thursday, January 6th, 2022!

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.  To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:  Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”  1 Peter 1:1-2

Dear Trinity, Peter doesn’t attempt to explain how you could be triune.  He simply reminds me of the great and wonderful blessings you give me.  Father, you chose me from eternity.  Spirit, you penetrate my heart and make me honest about my sins and need for redemption.  You also, make sure I understand the gospel.  Jesus, you paid for it all laid the foundation for daily lifelong grace.  I am chosen, befriended and loved.  I’m going to be okay.  I am blessed by your grace and peace, so, I do not care how you could be three persons in one Godhead.  I just never want to live without this salvation.  Amen.

When you know God’s love, you don’t care so much about God’s mystery. 

Wednesday, January 5th, 2022!!

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,…” 1 Peter 1:1

Dear Jesus, It’s interesting to find Bithynia in your list of churches to receive Peter’s letter.  That was the region that you forbade the apostle Paul to go preach to.  But because here I see that later there were Christians there, it reassures me that you had good plans for them to hear the gospel.  Your plans just didn’t include Paul.  Help me to live in that peace that although you often limit and reduce my impact on the world around me, you still have plans to reach those people.  You are the humongous God who has millions of ways past my finding out.  I will rest in the furrow you have appointed me and I will trust that you can reach those who are closed off to me now.  It gives me peace and hope.  Amen.

God doesn’t include you in his world planning meeting for a reason.  Enjoy your work for him and the peace of letting him work around you without your approval. 

Tuesday, January 4th, 2022!!

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.  Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”  “Well said, teacher,” the man replied.  “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.  To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”  Mark 12:28-34

Dear Jesus, You cleared away all the piffle that so many earthly laws create for our souls.  You made it simple and clear.  When you were challenged to come up with the two most important laws, you put God the father first and all people second.  You told us to love God and people.  That’s profound, simple and clear.  But then you ended the conversation with an invitation to believe in you.  It was intriguing and subtle.  You said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  Once the law is clarified and reduced to its two key components, it’s still law.  No one can keep it.  We all need you to save us.  You were and are the embodiment of the two great commands.  You never once failed them.  You did that for me.  My life is covered by yours.  Thank you for keeping the greatest commandments in my place.  Now empower me to keep them from the heart.  Make me a lover of God and people because I want to not because I feel I ought to.  Use your race to make me a pure-hearted servant.  Amen.

Learn to love people and at the same time you’ll learn to love the God who made them. 

Monday, January 3rd, 2022!!

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’  ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”  Revelations 14:13

Dear Jesus, There are so many encouraging words in this fantastic book you revealed to John in visions.  When I read this loud cry from heaven, I’m encouraged that although I have so many loved ones whose short lives are over, that they live on in a restful heaven with you and their good deeds are bearing fruit in your venerable hand on earth.  I trust you with their lives and mine.  If you can take one word from the thief on the cross (whose name you know) and comfort millions of people for over 2000 years, then you can take my small life and harvest ten thousand times ten thousands more fruit from them.  I will robustly sow good deeds now in the sure hope that you will reap a harvest from them that I could have never imagined.  Save me a place in heaven where I can sit and listen to how you did wonderful things after me with what you did through me while I was here.  Amen.

Your good deeds are seeds in the hand of the Creator.  Sow them vigorously and from heaven one day you will hear how they keep bearing fruit down through the ages. 

Saturday, January 1st, 2022!!

Dear Heavenly Father, At the dawn of this New Year, precious Savior and divine Lord, I want to begin this day in your name.  So I ask you to take full possession of my life, hold me by the hand and lead me from day to day, protecting me from all dangers of body and soul.  Shield me from the temptations of sin and remove every doubtful thought from my mind.  Don’t let the worries and fears of the future rob me of that peace of mind which is mine through your sacrifice on Calvary.  Keep my footsteps in the paths of uprightness, and keep me in Thy grace.  Keep your children wherever they are, and help them through their trials and troubles.  Forgive us our many sins of the past through your cleansing and precious blood.  Grant me and all that love you the strength to live victoriously every day.  Give to your church continued growth, and prosper the work of our hands as we seek to win souls for you.  Bring this saving Gospel too many more.  Preserve peace among the nations that your message of reconciliation not be hindered in its progress as missionaries go from place to place.  Let me live in peace with my fellow men, avoiding discord, strife, and hatred.  Give me an unwavering faith in you as my Savior and King.  Make this year another year of grace to me and to many, for your name’s sake.  Amen.

Friday, December 31st

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”   Colossians 1:1-2

Dear Lord Jesus, As I begin this year help me to hear your voice as you speak to me in your Word.  You come to me through inspired words of the Scriptures to teach me, to correct and rebuke me, to encourage me and build me.  You want to show me the length and width and depth and breadth of your love for me, of your power at work in me, and of your rule over all things.  Help me to hear Paul as if you were speaking.  Help me to listen as if you were the One who sits with me today and speaks.  If you were with me across the table, I would sit with rapt and careful attention.  I would take to heart the things that you say; I would take careful note, maybe even writing down the important things that you say to me.  I would take those things with me.  Through Paul and through your called servants you do speak to me like this.  Help me to hear you through your Word and through your called servants and take to heart the things that you say.  Your words are full of the Spirit and they are my life.  Amen.

God’s Word is indeed worthy of our attention and our hearing.  “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”