Saturday, December 31st

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”  Matthew 20:16

Dear Jesus, This pithy little sentence levels the playing field for all humans.  You spoke it at the end of your parable of the vineyard where people worked different hours but all got paid the same.  Salvation depends on your decision not ours.  It’s yours to give to whomever you wish and you offer it to all.  The value of every soul has already been established.  It’s worth your life.  You bought each one.  So, you do not consider it a waste to watch someone squander all their days but turn to you in the end.  You aren’t happy with their wasted life.  But you still want to save their soul.  You will save even the latest to convert, just like you did the thief on the cross.  Help me to value souls the same way and to not write anyone off as a lost cause.  If their heart is beating, they still can be saved.  So, make me respect everyone enough to give them an opportunity to hear your race presented clearly.  You gave it all to make the most difference in their lives.  Don’t let me get in the way of that with my silence.  Amen. 

A wasted life cannot disqualify a redeemed soul. 

Friday, December 30th

“Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13

Dear Jesus, Your brother James helps separate the fake from the real.  It’s easy to be high minded, critical of others and convinced that I am right about things.  But if I am truly wise, it will show in how humble I am and how I seek to produce goodness for everyone around me.  Give me the honesty and love to focus solely on serving you and others instead of trying to be right all the time.  Help me seek more to understand than to be understood and more to love than to be loved.  Help me forget the disappointments others have caused me, so I hang in there with them through all their ups and downs.  You never give up on serving us and I want to be the same in the few days I have left on earth.  Amen.

Seek not so much to be rightly understood but to rightly love others. 

Thursday, December 29th

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”  Colossians 1:16

Lord Jesus, You are Lord of all.  You created all things and you put them all under your feet.  It is all created through you and for you.  I forget that part sometimes.  I think that it’s for me.  I think that it’s about me.  I think that everything revolves around me.  When in fact, the world, along with both everything and everyone in it, revolves around you.  You created this world and even me to magnify your glory and to be a reflection of who you are.  O dear Jesus, forgive me for this self-centered thinking.  Forgive me.  I do praise you that even in my self-centeredness you never stop ruling over all things.  I can’t screw it up (and I shouldn’t try!)  But I praise you that I don’t and I can’t.  You will always be over all and through all and in all.  In all things you remain Lord of all.  Amen.

On the one hand I shouldn’t sin, on the other hand I can’t screw it up.  Even in my sin, Jesus remains Lord of all. 

Wednesday, December 28th

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”  Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Dear Heavenly Father, You give incredible joy to our lives when we have babies you created for us.  We can’t even begin to describe it.  I’ve always marveled at how it brightens the lives of parents and grand-parents.  But I have to confess, I have never felt exactly that way about the birth of your Son until now.  But there it is in your word, “Unto us a child is born!”  Your Son was born to me!  He’s the child given to my family to make everything better.  He gives me hope and rescue.  He changes my identity, my destiny, my daily peace.  I can do all things through this Son you gave me, who gives me strength.  That’s why Christmas means so much to me, it’s the boy born to my family for all eternity.  Amen.

Jesus changes our whole family dynamic!

Tuesday, December 27th

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:18-21

Dear Heavenly Father, I can relate to Joseph and how hard it was for him to believe Mary at first.  People just don’t get pregnant without physical relations.  I’m moved by his desire to protect her reputation the best that he could even though he was deeply hurt (as he thought) by her.  It shows that his righteousness by faith expressed itself in love.  How often I think that righteousness expresses it’s hurt in anger, but it doesn’t.  Help me to be like Joseph when I’m hurt by others.  Help me to love them and protect their reputation instead of getting even through retaliation and gossip.  How relieved Joseph must have been when your angel visited him with the truth.  Thank you for giving Jesus two wonderful parents to help him save humanity by providing him a loving believer’s home.  Help me be that kind of home for your Son too, so he can reach my neighbors through me.  Amen.

Rearing Jesus for us rocked Mary and Joseph’s world.  Don’t be surprised when God rocks your world to help you reach others for him. 

Monday, December 26th

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”).”  Matthew 1:23

Dear Jesus, Your virgin birth underscores your humanity and divinity but more important to me is that it tells me you are with me.  You became a human and went through everything I am going through right now.  You had fallible parents, a country under duress, the stress of finding daily sustenance, the challenge of siblings, the failure of friends, the fear of death.  You had it all.  But you saved me from it all.  You are still human but you are the Savior human.  You redeemed me from the dead end I was seeing.  As my “human-God” you deeply understand my concerns and at the same time have the answer that I need.  I know you are with me.  Now, I want to spend my day with you.”  Amen.

God is with us and we are with him.  No room for loneliness.

Saturday, December 24th

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making this holy night so beautiful.  The sparkling lights, the joyful carols, and the beaming faces of family and friends cheer my heart every year.  With the angels I glorify you; with the shepherds I kneel and adore you.  With Mary I treasure up the wonders of your birth, and all year long I will ponder such unfathomable love that made you, both the Son of God and a human child, my Savioir.  Amen. 

(From “There’s a Prayer for That.”)

Friday, December 23rd

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”  Galatians 4:4-5

Dear Jesus, You humbled yourself to be born under law.  You created the whole universe, the laws of nature, the solar system and all its perfect timing, and yet you submitted yourself to be under law.  If I made all the laws myself, I would still break them.  You did what I had failed to do.  You kept every law, from the heart.  You never once used manipulation, rationalization, excuses, blame or any other defense mechanism.  You didn’t have to.  But you still took the blame for me breaking the law.  I broke them all and you took the blame.  Under law, you took the blame.  I’m so thankful that you chose to be born under law so I am forgiven to breaking the law so many times.  Now we can live forever in heaven where we will all live like you did on earth but without the presence of evil and guilt.  Thank you coming here so I could go there.  I can’t wait to be with you in perfection.  Amen.

What kind of friends draws near so he can take the wrap for you?  A heavenly one. 

Thursday, December 22nd

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  Romans 5:10-11

Lord God, The blessings just keep coming.  The grace just keeps flowing.  And, Lord, I need it.  My sin and sinfulness show itself again this morning as my mind races and my heart shakes.  My sin and sinfulness show itself again this morning as my mind races and my heart shakes.  My sin and my sinfulness show itself in so many different ways in my heart and throughout my life.  Here I see such undeserved grace and kindness that just keeps flowing to me.  You reconciled me to yourself when I was your enemy!  And not just that, but you saved me through the coming, through the life, of your Son.  And not just that, but now I have a brand-new relationship with you.  This changes everything.  I no longer have to pursue peace with you; I already have it.  I no longer have to pursue friendship with you; I already have it.  Your grace and mercy overwhelm me this morning as I see gifts from your throne.  And they keep coming.  Continue to overwhelm me with your grace all day long that I might be a dispenser of your grace.  Amen.

God piles up his gifts of grace in front of our eyes at Christmas so that we might be overwhelmed with the abundant outpouring of those gifts our entire lives. 

Wednesday, December 21st

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name.’”  Luke 1:46-49

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be like Mary.  She had just found out that she was pregnant outside of marriage by the Holy Spirit.  She was young, unmarried and poor.  But she was loved by you, by her fiancé and her family.  More than that, she looked beyond the discomforts of serving God and people to the blessings of having the opportunity to give big back to God.  She knew she was saved and she knew she had a significant impact to give the world.  Those two blessings, security and significance, are the two greatest needs of the human soul.  You met them both for Mary.  She knew it and so she praised.  I know you have made me secure and significant too.  But the ways you have called me to serve you and others have cost me comfort just as it did Mary.  Help me to ignore the cost and to count it as all joy to love you “big” as I love “big” the people you have given me to serve.  Make me positive, praising, and working to be the kind of person like you and your mother, Mary, were.  Amen.

Serving God and others isn’t near as burdensome as we make it.  At attitude of praise and thanks will cut the load in half. 

Tuesday, December 20th

“But the angel said to here, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”  Luke 1:30-33

Dear Jesus, Your mom didn’t need a baby name book.  God had already decided your name that would describe your life, “The Lord Saves.”  Your greatness can’t be denied.  Two billion of us believe you saved us.  Your name is all over the planet and you have to be the most quoted and misquoted man that ever lived.  And to think you never once wrote down your own words.  I know you are reigning in believer’s hearts.  But I don’t see you visibly reigning anywhere else.  I trust that you are, however.  I trust that you are working everything out for the good of your people no matter what country they are in.  It gives me peace when I think of our bi-partisan congress or the Korean threat or a hundred other haunting reports.  You have saved us from our sins and you will save us from our troubles.  Help me to live in the peace that comes from your firm grip on my life.  Amen.

Jesus gave up so much to save us, he’s not going to let us slip away from him because of some bani-rooster government snafu. 

Monday, December 19th

“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’”  Luke 15: 3-7

Dear Jesus, How you love to see people brought home to you by coming to faith in your truth and love.  How you long for each lost soul to realize they are lost and recognize you have come to rescue them.  Teach me the supernatural value of every human soul so I stop smugly judging people and instead I reach out to them with truth and love.  I want to rejoice with you over their return to grace like you and your angels.  The lingering disappointment I have with their failures and mine often hampers me from joining the heavenly party.  Oh Jesus, make me a champion of grace and not law.  Amen.

It’s hard to judge people that you long to see in heaven with you.

Saturday, December 17th

“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.”      1 Peter 4:16

Lord Jesus, I wear your name, loudly and proudly.  You called me to be yours at my baptism.  You marked me as your child and proudly announce to the world that I am yours.  You are not ashamed of me.  You are not ashamed to call me your child.  I pray, fill my heart with confidence and boldness to call you my God and my Father.  You have done gracious and merciful things for me, more than I can count or number.  Make me proud and even joyful to bear your name into this world.  Amen.

Friday, December 16th

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Dear Jesus, If I don’t stay connected to you by the word of God and prayer I will soon wither under the drought of my times.  There is so much to suck the energy and interest out of my soul.  I need to hear from your word every day.  I need to know you are with me, sustaining me, teaching me and loving me.  I need daily forgiveness and peace.  I need you to be the God of my soul.  These words really grab me, “apart from me you can do nothing.”  They sweep away my stubborn independence.  I need you to produce in me the blessed life that blesses others or else I will become a useless self-serving creature.  Oh Jesus, keep me connected to you and do not let me go.  Amen.

We were made to receive spiritual power from God not the other way around. 

Thursday, December 15th

“Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.”  1 Peter 4:15

Lord Jesus, Sometimes when I suffer, my pain is justly and rightly deserved.  I often suffer with the consequences of my sin.  And sometimes other people mistreat me because I’ve been a jerk, because I haven’t been kind and gentle.  Sometimes I suffer their unkind words because I’ve been unkind to them.  Lord Jesus, when suffering comes, help me to repent of my sin where it is revealed to me.  Keep me humble and gentle to receive correction when it is given.  Suffering because I’ve been sinful is nothing to rejoice in.  Suffering because of sin is a time to repent and find relief and refreshment in your forgiveness.  Lord Jesus, keep me from sinning that my light for you might shine brightly.  Yet, when I do sin, dear Savior, lead me to quickly repent of my sin to find solace in you alone.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 14th

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”  Proverbs 10:17

Dear Jesus, Help me oh God, to open my heart to correction and teaching that guides my otherwise misguided ways.  I want to be led so I can lead others by example.  But I must let you teach me.  It’s easy to fall into a smug self-gratifying thought that I have arrived and am above instruction.  Forgive me for that blind pride that makes me feel like I have little to learn.  Help me to reduce my entertainment and busyness enough to sit and listen to your word and learn from the people you have put in my life to teach me.  I know that I am a forgiven child of God and my prayer is that knowing this will give me the humility to keep learning from others every day.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 13th

“If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  1 Peter 4:14

Lord Jesus, I am not always content with the circumstances and conditions of my life.  It seems I can always find something to complain about, something about my life that doesn’t make me happy.  Lord Jesus, since that’s true, how in the world am I going to find contentment and blessing when I’m laughed at for being your follower!?!  Lord Jesus, when suffering comes to me because of your name and because I’m confessing you, help me to realize what this means.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because I’m yours.  The devil can’t stand to see me in your grasp and will make my life full of trouble to drive me out of your arms.  I’m suffering because he’s after me.  Help me to remember that I’m suffering because the world as a whole does not love you.  I’m suffering because I stand out as your follower in this sin-darkened world.  Help me to remember who I am.  And then, dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the blessedness of resting in your mercy and grace.  Help me to find joy in suffering for you.  Amen.

Monday, December 12th

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”   Proverbs 10:9

Dear Heavenly Father, I know you see the chasm between what I am and what I think I am.  Help me to bring those two together through honest reflection, repentance and reformation.  I want to have integrity but it’s painful to admit my failings.  Sometimes, I catch myself thinking falsely about things and it scares me.  Don’t let me lie to myself, to you or to anybody.  You want people to worship you in spirit and in truth (John 4) and I love you so much.  I want to be someone whom you can trust.  Thank you for being my rock when I am wavering.  Now, guide me to live honestly, good, and righteous in my dealings with everyone.  Amen.

Honesty is painful, pure and refreshing all at the same time. 

Saturday, December 10th

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.”  1 Peter 4:12-13

Lord God, I am often surprised when hardship and trouble comes to me.  I am often caught off guard by the reaction that people have to me as a Christian.  But I shouldn’t be.  If people reacted to you, and even hated you, Lord Jesus, why would it be any different for me, a simple follower?  If people turned on you and even crucified you, why would I expect that they would all love me and receive me with welcome arms?  If they rejected your message, they will often reject mine.  If they turned on you, they will often turn on me.  Lord Jesus, when suffering and rejection comes to me because of your name give me joy because I’m suffering with you.  More than that, Lord Jesus, help me see and remember the joy that is set before me, an eternity of heaven with you.  Keep me from being surprised.  Rather, help me to find joy in suffering for you.  Amen.

Friday, December 9th

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.”  Titus 2:2

Dear Jesus, It’s hard to admit, but I no longer can view this passage as your injunction to me as a young pastor to teach older men how to live.  It seems that in almost no time I have become one of the “older men.”  Now these six attributes of a mature Christian man are directly applicable to me.  You want me to be temperate, that is calm and gentle.  You want me to live worthy of respect, to curb my passions and resist the temptation to be lazy or crazy in my ways.  You want me trusting firmly in your word and not wavering with doubt.  You want me to love people deeply instead of withdrawing into myself.  And you want me to endure hardship with a reliant hope in your deliverance.  That is, you want me to recognize that my anxieties are often self-inflicted.  I get what you want and it helps me some.  But without your presence I will utterly fail.  I need you to give me the strength to live above my sinful nature.  Help me Lord Jesus to live the godly life you call for.  Be my Savior and my sanctifier.  Amen.

Only God can use godly people.