Friday, June 24th

“He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:27

Lord God, You have carefully arranged all my days to carry out your plans for me. Nothing is outside of your control or your guiding. You put me when I am, in this particular time of history. You put me where I am, in this family in this community, in this church. You even put particular people in my life to impact me and so that I might impact them. Lord Jesus, help me to see your hand in all of this. Use me when and where you will so that others might be made holy by your Son, Jesus, through faith. Use them when and where you will, so that I will be found in Jesus and be saved by him. Most of all, Father, I am thankful for your plan that has brought to this day in the faith. Thank you for the people that you put in my path, who have told me about Jesus. Thank you for the people, whom you place in my path that I can tell them about Jesus. Keep on working in my life and through my life so that many more people might be saved. Amen

Thursday, June 23rd

“Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

Lord Jesus, It’s really hard not to fit in. It’s hard not to belong. And I don’t think I really understand how real the struggle is. I’ve never been the outsider. I’ve hardly ever been in the minority. I’ve never been an alien in a strange new country, a refugee forced to flee from my home. But, Jesus, that’s what it is to be a Christian. it means that I am a stranger here because heaven is my home. It means that my values are radically different than the values of the world. It means that my priorities in life are radically different than everyone else. Lord God, help to resist fitting in. Lead me to live as your child, an alien and a stranger in this world. Amen

Wednesday, June 22nd

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Dear Jesus, I join Paul in praying that your people, especially the ones I know, would set aside their busy activity and rest quietly contemplating your love for them. Help them to realize your complete and full forgiveness that was purchased with your very life. Give them the power to let go of every single bad decision and moral failure they have ever committed. Help them realize that their troubles do not mean you are indifferent or cold toward them. Let them see that in every blessing there is a hug from you, a confirmation that you love them. When they step out to face the world, make them confident because they know you have their back without condemnation. Make them secure and peace-filled because they are wrapped in your love.Amen.God’s love empowers people to live life to the fullest

Tuesday, June 21st

“But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.“ 1 Peter 1:15-16

Lord God, You have called me to this new life. You have made me holy by the blood of your Son, Jesus. You have dressed me in the finest clothes. And yet, like a child wearing their Sunday best who goes to play in the muck and dirt, my mind, my thoughts, and my life gravitates toward the dirty and the sinful. I find myself dirty in sin! Lord Jesus, help me to remember who I am as your holy child, who is dearly loved. Help me to keep my life, my thoughts, my words, yes, help me to keep myself clean. You, Lord God, are holy and you have called me to be holy in my whole life. Help me to do this, dear Father in heaven. Amen.

Monday, June 20th

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18

Dear Jesus, I am too coy to outwardly seek revenge against someone. Mine is more subversive. I can turn the cold shoulder, ignore their needs, make them suffer alone, simply because I’m put out with them. Your Spiritconvicts me that this is wrong. Open my heart to love my enemies and to avoid making family and friends pay for their neglect or coarse behavior. Instead make me honest, loving, committed to generosity and forgiving. Help me get over myself and my endless need to be coddled by sinners. Help me give them lots of room for mistakes so I show them what grace is like.Amen.Letting go of another fault is profoundly Christlike.

Saturday, June 18th

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who continues to hear the word and understands it. This isthe one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23

Dear Jesus, I want to continue hearing your word and understanding it for myself and others. I want to be able to speak it with meaning to my spouse, children, and friends. I want my friends to learn your word from conversations with me. I want to react better to situations and let my light shine instead of spread the byproducts of my sinful nature. I want the peace, hope and love that the gospel releases to emanate from my life. Make this happen by your Holy Spirit so I produce seeds that will produce more seeds many years after I’m gone. Make my life count for you, oh Jesus. Amen. God’s word produces good things whenever it lands in a heart softened by grace and truth.

Friday, June 17th

“If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, you are to conduct your lies in reverence during your time living as strangers.” 1 Peter 1:17

Lord God, I don’t often take you seriously enough. I don’t often take your commands and your direction for my conduct with all the seriousness that you demand. There are some commands that I take into my heart and honor with all my heart. But there are others that I put off to the side. Thinking back, I find that the ones that condemn other people I take to heart because then I catch them in their sin, but the ones that catch me in my sin I don’t take seriously enough. Lord God, you don’t play like that. You don’t play favorites. You judge each one of us impartially according to the life each one of us lives. You judge us only by the same standard and the same commands. Forgive me, Father, for not listening carefully to all that you’ve told me. Forgive me and help me to take all of your word into my heart and to work at doing it. Amen.“Therefore, we should fear his anger and not disobey what he commands.”Martin Luther

Thursday, June 16th

“For you know you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

Lord Jesus, What a price you paid! When God demanded blood for my failure to obey him you shed all your blood. When God demanded payment for the sins of all people, dear Son of God, you gave your life. You are truly God and full man. And you, dear God-man, you stepped into the scales of justice to make the greatest payment that has ever been paid. The redemption price for me and for all the world was the holy, innocent, and divine blood of Jesus! What a price you paid forme dear Jesus! Thank you. Amen.

Wednesday, June 15th

“He was foreknown before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you.” 1 Peter 1:20

Lord God, I continue to marvel at my Redeemer, my Savior, and your plan. You knew that he would be theworld’’s Savior before the creation of the world. You hid in him your quiver until just the right time. By his life and by the preaching of the apostles you made him known to the world. Through your Word and through preachers and teachers today you have even made him known to me. He is great and your plan is great. O God, my heart stands in awe of my redemption, of my Redeemer, and your plan that made it all happen. O God, you are truly great. Amen.

Tuesday, June 14

“Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:21

Lord God, The power and glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead gives me such hope for my future, such hope for my life, such hope for my eternity. Your resurrection, Lord Jesus, assures me that you have finished the work of salvation and have secured for me the forgiveness of sins. Your resurrection, LordJesus, shows me that you have conquered death and have overcome every enemy of mine. Your power, O God, which is so evident when I see you raise your Son from the dead raises up hope in me that there is nothing beyond your control. You are on my side! Nothing can separate me from you. Let the hope that springs from your resurrection, Lord Jesus, inspire me this week as I work for you. Amen.

Monday, June 13th

“The Lord your God will fight for you. You need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Dear Lord, I have found few words more comforting especially when I am facing unresolved problems and big issues in my life. You had Moses and your people backed up to the Red Sea. He was standing there with 2 million people including grandparents and infants. The Egyptian army was coming to annihilate them. They had nowhere to go and nothing they could do. Then you stepped in with these words. “I will fight for you. Just be still.” I like to remember them when others criticize me. I like to remember them when I am blindsided by big problems. You have adopted me into your fold. You have put your name on my back and my name in your heart. You will fight for me. I’ve seen you turn things around in unbelievable ways throughout my life. Thanks for giving me a word of comfort to cling to when I am scared. It gives me peace and confidence. Amen. When we know God is on our side, we feel taller, stronger and more invincible

Saturday, June 11th

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Psalm 90:2,4

Dear Jesus, My short life is like a fading breath on a chilly morning compared to you. You are before all things, after all, things and around all things. You see everything everywhere all the time. You know every detail and forget nothing. You never have a senior moment. I am a frail and insignificant being. And yet, you have chosen to love me by sacrificing your own dear Son for me. I wasn’t just lost. I was an enemy of yours from birth. You redeemed me and welcomed me into your grace. Of all people, I don’t deserve to be at your party. But I’m here! Lord of my soul, walk with me and hover over me this small day and make my life a blessing to you after all you have done to make it count. Amen. The spiritual medicine for depression is a return to your roots to be reminded how fortunate you are to be loved by God

Friday, June 10th

“It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.” Lamentations 3:26

Lord Jesus Christ, I need you and I’m waiting on you. I need more grace. I really do. I sin daily constantly. I need your forgiveness as much today as I have ever needed it, maybe even more because I am more aware than ever of my sins against you. I need your mercy. I need you, Lord, to look at my helpless situation and help me. Here I am a scattered exile in this world, an alien outside of his home country. I’m living against the stream. My way of life runs contrary to much of the rest of the people with whom I interact on a daily basis. Help me live upstream. Give me strength. Give me wisdom. When I seem to be all alone, remind me that you are with me and you are the only one for whom I’m living my life. Lord, I’m waiting for you like a watchman waits for the morning. I can’t wait for the morning of your new grace and mercy to dawn in my life. Lord, keep my eyes open, my faith burning, and my resolution strong as I wait for you to act and pour out more of all that you have for me in your grace and mercy. Amen.

Thursday, June 9th

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

Dear Savior, There are many times in my life when I don’t feel safe. I’m afraid of the danger that threatens me. I’m afraid of the unknown and the uncertainties of my future. Sometimes I’m even afraid that I’ll lose you as my Savior and my Friend. Sometimes I’m even afraid that you’ve left me. These are the most comforting words. You choose me to be your own. You called me to be your child. You are at work in my life to make me holy by your Son. All my footsteps were known to you. That means that no path of my life is ever outside of your care. And no matter where I may be scattered by the winds of life, you will go with me there. And even there you will keep me safe. No one and nothing can separate me from you. You hold me by my right hand and after all this, you will take me into glory. And the best news of all-you won’t ever let me go. Amen

Tuesday, June 7th

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because in this great mercy he has given us new birth.” 1 Peter 1: 3

Dear Lord God, My baptism is such a gift to me. It did for me and for my soul what nothing else could ever do for me. It raised me from the depths of spiritual death and raised me up for a new life. Instead of graveclothes and filthy rags, my baptism clothes me in Christ. Most and best of all, my baptism brings me into your family so that now I get to call you, God, my dear Father in heaven. Father, hear my prayer today. Whatever this day brings, whatever hardship, trouble, or challenge or joy, lead me to praise you for this new birth that you’ve given me. My baptism is one of your greatest gifts to me. Lead me to praise you for this new birth whatever today brings. Amen.

Saturday, June 4th

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Hebrews 11:7

Dear Jesus, I know that you cherish our faith as we look back to your cross. But here, you remind me that you also love it when we trust your word over our experience, especially when your word promises a new day when your righteousness will reign. Noah had that faith. If you said it, he believed it. He had never seen rain and yet he believed you were going to flood the world to keep evil from totally overcoming his family and all humankind. I trust your word that you will do it again in the final judgment. I have never seen you deluge the entire planet but you promise that with fire you will end all earthly everything and usher in your heaven for your children. I believe that! I wait for that! It both comforts and scares me at the same time. Keep me close to your word and never let me harden my heart. Help me stay ready for the beginning of eternity. Amen.

The word of God and the Eastern horizon reminds us that a new day is just over the edge of creation

Friday, June 3rd

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2

Dear Heavenly Father, Every morning and evening I see your glory in the skies. You are the master artist of the universe. The colors and contrasts are breathtaking. They remind me of your majesty and your creativity. So many people are busy in their homes and businesses when your beautiful paintings appear in the heavens. But still you paint them, again and again. They show that you are the creative force behind everything in nature, including me. What I see each day is only a microscopic portion of all you produce that day. O Author of life, accept my puny praise for your powerful and masterful handiwork. And accept my thanks that you have grace for sinners like me who take up space in your masterpiece. Amen. God paints a new work every day and we have the privilege of living inside it

Thursday, June 2nd

“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5

Lord God, Thank you for guarding me with your great power. The assaults of the Devil against my soul are far beyond my ability to resist. If you left me alone for a moment, I would fall. The attacks of my own nature against me are more than I can handle. The thoughts of my own mind lead me to think that you have abandoned me, that you are against me and not for me. Don’t leave me alone, Lord, or I won’t make it. Don’tabandon me, Lord, or I’ll stumble and fall. You have ascended to your throne Jesus and you sit there ruling all things in my life for my good. Deliver me from evil. Shield and guard me by your mighty power that I might be safe in the grasp of your love. Keep me safe from all the attempts on my life and soul. With you, I am safe. Under your care, I am protected. With your guarding I will make it safely to the end of faith’s race. Thank you for guarding me with your power. Amen.

Wednesday, June 1st

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

Dear Jesus, Every time things don’t go my way, every time I am mistreated or ignored, every time my car breaks down, every time I get ill, every time I fail at something important, every time I suffer loss of a dear loved one,-I think, “This is not my home.” My home is with you where you will wipe every tear from my eyes. That is; the fear of regret, of sorrow, of disappointment, of pain, of anger, and of frustration. My country is in heaven. Thank you for giving me the hope of eternal life with you, where difficulty will be a foreign language.Amen.Heaven is our home. Earth is our journey there.

Monday, May 30th

On this day set aside to honor those who have died in the service of our great country, O God, we thank you for giving us such patriotic citizens and a country that chooses to remember them. Also today we thank you for the saints who have gone before us in your service and have preserved for us the rich heritage of your gospel. We remember the blessings you gave to them and to us through them. Praise to you, O Savior, in your eternal glory. Amen.