Saturday, October 22, 2022

“Do not judge, or you too will be judge.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

Dear Jesus, I hate to admit it that I have been that guy pointing out the faults of others and crying their sins and weaknesses when all the while I had similar sins going on in my own heart and life.  It’s humbling but it’s true.  How hard it must be for you, the perfect Son of God, to watch us get mad at others while we are still failing in so many ways ourselves.  Oh, the patience and the pointed power I see in your words here.  If I will go through the painful process of repentance and apology myself, then I will see how to gently and clearly lead others out of their sins.  Help to let your Holy Spirit do his surgery on my heart.  Give me the insight and power to deal with my own sins first before trying to correct others.  Amen.

A wise person will let himself be corrected even though it comes with sharp pain.

Friday, October 21, 2022

“Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.  Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated.”  1 Peter 3:13-14

Lord God, There are a lot of things in this life that scare me.  I’m scared about my future.  My health isn’t good and I’m afraid of what will happen to my body and life.  I’m scared about my finances.  Will I get that job?  Will I keep this job?  Will I have enough to take care of my family and pay my bills?  I’m scared about so many things.  I’m intimidated by people and what they think about me, even what they say about me.  Their words do wound me deeply.  But God, here with you I find my sanctuary.  Here with you I find my safety.  I am not afraid of my future when I am with you, because you hold and even control my future.  I am not worried about my finances when I am with you because you care for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, you promise to care for me too.  When I am with you, I am not afraid of what people say about me or what they’ll do to me, because you are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me.  Lord God, calm my heart and give me rest, even sanctuary in your presence.  O Lord, go before me today to lead the way.  O Lord, stay by my side today to assure me of my presence.  O God, go above me to watch over my footsteps.  O Savior, go behind me today to keep me from danger.  Stay by me, Lord God, and keep me I pray, for with you I have sanctuary.  Amen.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:12

O Lord, How good it is to know that you are near me when my burdens grow too great to bear.  O Lord, how good it is to know that you will hear me, when I call to you in prayer.  O Lord, how good it is to know that your eyes are watching and your ears are listening to my prayer.  Lord, I am not alone in this world as I seek your good.  I am not abandoned in this world as I chase peace.  I am not alone and I will not be forsaken.  Lord, let this truth rest in my heart--that when I call-you hear, when I cry out-you answer.  Lord, grant peace to my soul in this truth, that you are seeking and pursuing my good even while the people around me pursue their own ends and desires.  Lord, you are in this for me, that I might share and so also enjoy heaven with you.  How good it is to know this!  Amen.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.  They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”  1 Peter 3:10-11

Lord God, Heavenly Father, this world and many of the people are on a totally different path than I am.  Some people seek after wealth.  Others seek after acclaim and praise from people.  Still others chase what pleases them, what makes them happy.  In fact, that’s the very foundation of the American dream-” the pursuit of happiness.”  Lord God, you teach me a different way.  You teach me to pursue something different.  You teach me restraint and self-control.  You teach me to control my tongue, to watch what I say, to make sure only good and true things come out.  You teach me to flee from evil things and to pursue what is good.  You teach me to do whatever is in my power and under my control to have and keep peace.  This is the life you teach me to pursue.  You teach me to seek good and thus also to seek you, O God.  Make this my day’s purpose, yes, even my life’s purpose and goal.  Amen.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  Matthew 6:25-27

Dear Jesus, I cannot remember a day in my life that I have worried about eating or drinking like the people to whom you spoke these words.  I have always lived with a hundred times more wealth than them.  Yet, I am a master at worrying.  That’s why I love your words.  They remind me that you want me to live free of the burden of worry like the birds.  I trust that you will take care of me.  So, bless my efforts to earn a living under your grace.  Protect my assets.  Give me the joy of generosity to others and help me live lightheartedly under your goodness.  Amen.

Worry is taking responsibility away from God. 

Monday, October 17, 2022

“The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.”  Matthew 6:22-24

Dear Jesus, Our eyes glimmer with hope when we sense we have plenty of money and possessions to satisfy our earthly cravings.  We can be so enamored with it, that we pursue it with all our hearts.  But if our possessions are our light, how great is the darkness!  “You own the cattle on a thousand hills.”  You made us and you give us all our blessings.  You are the God who sacrificed his own beloved Son for us and everything else you give us is from the same generous heart.  How could you not be our light all by yourself, because every blessing comes from your hand.  Oh Jesus, help me serve and love you above all things.  And make me generous like you.  Amen.

Love the giver and use the gift instead of loving the gift and using the giver. 

Saturday, September 24th

“Finally...not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

Lord Jesus, Not all who share space with me on this earth are part of the family of faith. Not all who live here and wander on this earth are headed the same direction as I am. That’s what makes me and all those of faith in Jesus aliens and strangers here. Lord Jesus, teach me how to live with people who are my enemies. Teach me how to show love when I am hated. Help me to pour back love when I am insulted. Compel me to give a blessing when I am cursed. Lord Jesus, teach me how and empower me to show your love to those who do not wander with me, who are not of the family of faith. They need my love because they do not know yours. More than that, they need me to tell them about your love so that they would not be enemies anymore. Help me to show deep love to my enemies so that, by your grace and the message, they might be friends forever. Teach me and help to live with all in love. Amen.

Friday, September 23rd

“Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

Lord God, There is such depth and such unity in your church and among all who wander here in faith. All who believe in you are wanderers. All who follow you are strangers. We’re all on this walk of faith toward even together. You teach us how important it is for us to live life together. Help me to come to the side of those who wander with me. Join my heart and mind to theirs so that in love I might support and strengthen them on our journey together. Make me one who sits with them to hear their heart’s complaint. Make my one who suffers with them in deep sympathy to hear and help them in the depth of pain and sorrow. Break my heart over what breaks theirs and make me a supporter. Teach me to pray boldly and persistently for my fellow wanderers. Help me come to their side to support them in their journey as I am surely supported in my journey by fellow wanderers. Amen.

Thursday, September 22nd

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Dear Jesus, How tempting it is for me to collect things as if they constitute wealth. It started when I was a child and I am still plagued with the desire today. It can any number of things and sometimes it’s collections of memories that I seek. It all revolves around this desire to abound in treasure, whatever that may mean for me. I am even tempted to look at the treasures of others and artificially feel poor. I believe there is an innate desire in all of us to want a full life. You made us to fully experience life. Our problem is that we forget how far we have fallen and how fast we will pass through this place. Every collection on earth is temporary and only you know who will have it or disperse it after we are gone. It’s worthless to us when we come to the edge of eternity. Ah, but souls of people, those will last forever! They are our truest treasure. Help me crave and collect souls for you in heaven. Your word and souls are the only thing that will last beyond this world. Help me to treasure and collect both in my heart. Amen.

God collects people for heaven, any other collection is rather worthless to him.

Wednesday, September 21st

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

Dear Jesus, I have fasted for you but I know very few people who have. However, your insight and encouragement still have application for our lives. You don’t want me to display my spiritual devotional habits for the praise and admiration of people. You want me to be authentic in my devotion to you and to do things secretly just for you. It shows real faith to practice a devoted life and not talk about it to others. Oh Savior, extricate me from all external-ism that craves the praise of people. Look at my private devotion and reward me openly when and how you want. I believe you won’t miss the slightest act of devotion. I will spend time with you and make sacrifices for you without letting others know. Amen.

God sees everything we do for him. We don’t need anyone else to take notice

Tuesday, September 20th

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15

Dear Jesus, You are so serious about forgiveness. Right after you gave us the Lord’s Prayer you reached back to tell us that if we do not forgive, you will not forgive us. It’s like the end all, be all, in our relationship with you. It’s all about grace. We live by grace with you and that grace changes the way we treat everyone else. There is no room for our resentment, anger, acidic criticism and chronic complaining. You want us to forgive everyone of every sin or weakness, big or small. Oh, Jesus, see how I get what you are saying? Now practicing it is a whole different story. It’s impossible for me to forgive like you without you and your Holy Spirit to help me. So, I am praying that you would give me the power to live in forgiveness toward everyone. I want to begrace filled and grace driven. Amen.

Full and free forgiveness is the exclusive right and blessing of Jesus Christ. No one else creates and sustains it like he does.

Monday, September 19th

“Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

A prayer for husbands and men: Lord God, It’s so natural for me to think of myself first, middle and last. It’s just what I do. But when I got married to my dear wife, I entered into a new and precious relationship. When we became one, she became part of me, part of my body. And, Lord God, as a part of my body it is my role as head of the body, to take care of her. Her needs come first. Her desires come first. Her good comes first. That makes sense to me when I think about my own body. I’m going to take care of all the parts of my body because what affects them affects me. Lord God, help me see what my wife needs from me. She comes first. She needs me to live with her in an understanding way, to take care of her like I do my own body. Help me do this, Lord God. Help me to make her first. Help me to take care of her as if she were a part of my body, which she truly is. Amen.

Thursday, September 8th

“You have become one of her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.” 1 Peter 3:6

A prayer for women and wives: Lord God, Help me to learn from Sarah and follow her example of fear. She served her husband, Abraham, and obeyed him. She wasn’t afraid. She followed him. She submitted to him. Give me a husband like Abraham, who loves me and cares for me, a man of faith who follows the promise and the leading of God. Make my husband like Abraham, a man of faith who cares for me. And Lord, help me to follow him and to submit to him without fear. Make me a woman of faith who trusts you, who trusts your promises, and is not afraid. It’s so easy to be afraid because of circumstances. It’s so easy to be afraid because of what is going on in life. It’s sometimes even easy to be afraid because of mistreatment. Make me a woman of faith who trusts you and finds my place in life without fear. Amen.

Wedesday, September 7th

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13

Dear Jesus, How could we ever improve on the prayer you gave us? It shows us what kind of prayer you and the Father want from us. Help me learn the meaning of every phrase and learn to pray it from my heart. Amen.

The prayer Jesus gave us shows us how God wants us to think and talk to him.

Tuesday, September 6th

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8

Dear Jesus, I see two big points about prayer here. They both convict me since I send out my prayer to you and to thousands of others every day. You don’t want us to pray for show and you don’t want us to throw words up at you as if we are working our way into your favor through our prayers. You see my heart. That is as obering realization. You know my motives in every thought, whether it’s a prayer or just a thought I embrace. Oh, Lord, let your kingdom come in my prayers, in my life, and in my space. You know my needs, my wants and my plans. Do what you need, want, and plan and thank you for being the author and preserver of my life. Amen. God loves authentic believing prayer that comes from a heart that gets him.

Monday, September 5th

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Dear Lord, I pray for all those who are tired, who are exhausted, and who are burdened, or weary. May you give us all rest and lift our burdens. I lay down everything before you, everything that seems to weigh on us heavy. Please help us to trust you and to let you help us. May your peace fall over us. May your power lift us up. May your Holy Spirit teach us, and guide us through this life in Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, August 27th

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. if you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So, when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

Dear Jesus, Spare me from the strong desire to receive affirmation from people that I am doing the good things in life. Help me to be thoughtlessly thoughtful and carelessly generous. Make me forget my good deeds the moment I finish them and focus the eyes of my heart on the welfare and needs of others. Make me compassionate for them and happy for their successes. Just help me get over myself and learn to be as in love with people as you are. Amen.

Living for others is a great cure for boredom and unhappiness.

Friday, August 26th

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

Lord Jesus, You have done so much for me. When I was lost and going astray, you turned me back by your gentle call and your loving staff. By your redemption, you have adopted me into the family of God and I belong to you. By your life, you have given me a perfect standing before God. And now, you promise, that you are the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul. No matter what things may happen to me, God you are watching over my soul. You are shepherding me along every path. Lord, help me to trust your guiding, your protecting and your planning. I was lost, but now I’m found. Keep me close to you all the days of my life that I may be yours now and forever. Amen.

Thursday, August 25th

“For you were called to this, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:21-23

Lord Jesus, When people hurt me, it is so easy for me to hurt back in the same way that they hurt me, even worse. I want to get even with them. I want to hurt them back. But that’s not the kind of life that I learn from you. You did the very opposite of what my nature would do. Teach me to follow your example. Help me learn from you. Help me learn to be like you when people insult me and false say all kinds of evil against me. Help me learn to keep my mouth closed, but instead find comfort and assurance in what you say about me. Their words may sting. Their words may ruin my reputation. But, Lord God, eternally and before you in heaven their words have no standing. Your word has the final say-so. And Lord, when people hurt me, when they abuse me, teach me to trust you to handle things. It is not my responsibility to get justice. That belongs to you, Lord. Help me to trust you to get justice in the right way at the right time. You claim that right. And it rightly belongs you. Yes, Lord, justice does belong to you. Teach me to follow the example that Christ left me. Help me learn from him to keep my mouth closed and heart trusting you in the face of the harm that comes tome. Amen.

Wednesday, August 24th

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

Dear Jesus, You modeled love for your enemies perfectly. I’m glad you did because your life covers mine. It really clears the air to hear you say, “Even pagans love their own people and greet them.” It’s not special Christian love to love those who love me first. It’s special Christian love to show love to those who hate and mistreat me. A few times in my life you have walked with me through this special kind of love. It was a moving experience for me and the people you made me love. Give me this over the top unconditional love for the sand paper people in my life. Make me mature in love like you and your father are. I cannot do this one on my own. I will need your Spirit’s supernatural power. Amen.