Thursday, February 23rd

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”  Psalms 139:1

Lord God, I am afraid, Lord.  I am afraid that if people really know the deep insecurities, doubts, fears, and guilt in my heart that they wouldn’t like or love me anymore.  I am afraid that if people really knew the things that I’ve done in my past that they wouldn’t respect me anymore.  I am even more afraid of that same thing with you.  What you know about me goes far beyond what other people know about me.  You have searched me completely and thoroughly.  You know all of my thoughts.  You know all of the things that I’ve done.  You know me in and out.  And still you love me.  And still you call me, “Child!”  And still you forgive me.  And still you guide and guard my paths.  And still you lead me on the path to everlasting life.  And still you walk with me.  And still you order my footsteps.  Father, I’m not afraid anymore.  There is no thing about me that can become known that you don’t cover up with the blood of your Son Jesus.  People may turn away from me, but you never will.  You know me and you still love me.  And you will never stop.  I’m not afraid anymore.  Amen.

To be fully known and truly loved as God loves us is what we need more than anything.  It comforts us in all our fears and fortifies us for any trouble that life can throw at us. 

Wednesday, February 22nd

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

Dear Jesus, For Lent I will give up being haughty, self-centered and defensive.  Instead, I will look at you and the way you ignored your deity so you could save me.  I will pursue serving others with self-abandoned freedom.  I will throttle my complaining spirit and redirect my thoughts to the blessings and opportunities that come from meeting the needs of others.  I will forget what I have done for people and refuse to expect recognition or reciprocation.  I will seek the peace and happiness that come from a self-forgetting path.  I will be spiritually alive as I put to death the selfishness that keeps popping up like winter dandelions.  Amen.

Being like Christ will reap a soul the benefit of selflessness

Tuesday, February 21st

“Therefore we do not need to say anything about it (your faith), for they (the people around you) themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.  They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”  1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Dear Jesus, I always amazes me how if I will but just trust the gospel’s power enough to share it, I will see it turn people from sad, helpless, sinners, into love producing saints who have impact on others.  Give me the optimism I need to dare to reach out to new people with your word of grace and mercy.  Help me engage people in conversations and to kindly confront their emptiness and sadness with the hope you bring.  Make me an instrument of your life changing spiritual medicine for all humanity.  Amen.

One of the greatest acts of faith is to share God’s word because we trust it will work. 

Monday, February 20th

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalms 51:10

Lord God, You are gracious to me beyond my imagination.  You know my sin better than I know it.  You see it in my heart, even in their deepest corners.  You want me to be good and upright.  You want integrity and truth and honor and righteousness to come from my mouth and to be lived in my life.  But that isn’t often there either.  You know my sin and how I have failed to do the good you desire.  You know it all and, yet, you welcome me into your presence to confess.  You welcome me into your presence to beg for forgiveness and mercy.  And more than that, you also actually forgive.  You remove my sin and guilt.  You have done all that.  Father, you are gracious and merciful, always eager to forgive me.  I pray, O Spirit, do not just remove my sins but make me new.  Raise me up from this old, sinful way of life to live a new life for you today.  Restore my spirit and make me strong.  Restore my joy and put a spring in my step.  Clean me heart, O God, and raise me up to a new life.  Amen.

Jesus doesn’t just get us out of hell; it also makes us new.  Grace doesn’t just help us shed the weight of past sins; it raises us up to live a new life. 

Saturday, February 18th

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Psalms 46:1

Dear Lord God, The seas in my life are roaring.  The ground underneath my feet is shaking.  The mountains crumbling.  All the things that would be foundational and certain in my life are unsure and uncertain.  And it’s terrifying.  I’m scared so I’m calling out to you, Lord, for you are a refuge and a strength for me.  You are the one certainty in this uncertain life.  You are the one constant in the constantly changing world.  You are the one powerful over all things especially when I am powerless to defend and protect myself, to change the course of my life, or to move.  Lord, the ground underneath my feet is shaking and the mountains are falling part, be my refuge and my strength.  Protect me from trouble.  Shield me from danger.  Use your mighty power to move mountains out of my way so that I might stand on a wide open and solid path.  And most of all, even while the mountains are falling, calm my heart with your steady grip on my life.  You will not let me fall or fail.  You will not forsake me; you are an ever-present helper in trouble.  You are my safe place.  Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.  Amen.

While the world is falling apart around me, my God will not fail me.  He is my refuge, my fortress, my ever-present Helper. 

Friday, February 17th

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”  Psalms 34:1

Dear Lord God, You have been my Savior and Redeemer through every generation.  Before the oceans were born, before you brought forth the earth and the world, you were there and had laid out my life.  You know all my days before even one of them came to be.  I have so much to thank you for, O Father, for the way you have intervened in my past to bring me to faith.  You put me into a Christian family; you surrounded me with Christians who would baptize me, who would teach me, who would correct, comfort and encourage me.  You have brought me to this new day full of faith.  And I know that in this present day you will continue to do what you have done in the past.  You have put me where you have wanted me in my life and in my relationships.  You are using other people and events to shape me.  You are using me to shape other people and to impact my community in ways that I am not even aware.  I am confident of the future not only because of your promises but because of your past faithfulness.  You have not once let me down.  Your Word assures me that you will not once let me down.  Even when things do not go the way I imagine and even when circumstances are not pleasant or pleasing.  I trust your Word.  In my heart, O God.  I have so much for which I might praise you.  Amen.

I have reasons to praise God because of his past work in my life, because of his present working, and the promise of his future intervention in my life. 

Thursday, February 16th

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3

Dear Jesus, I can relate to Paul because I know people you have put in my life who work hard at their callings because they believe in you.  Their deep love makes them serve people faithfully.  I know others who endure in the faith even in the most scary trials.  They hope in you even when they cannot see you.  Their lives encourage me.  I see them as a gift from you.  It’s a privilege to know them.  I long to be like them.  You know who they are.  Bless them with greater faith, hope and love, so they are filled with everything they need in their hearts to persevere.  Cause their lives to impact many more people and cascade their good deeds into the lives of others who will imitate them even as they imitate you.  Amen.

If you are touched by the godly life of someone else, tell them so.  

Wednesday, February 15th

“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear-not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.”  James 5:12

Dear Lord, You cannot abide people thinking they can control their lives.  So, when we swear we will do this or that, you are disturbed.  You give us breath and you take it away.  Without your blessing all of our plans are a house of cards.  Help us to learn to live in dependence on you.  We know that your plans for our lives will prevail no matter what we decide to do.  We will be thankful for what you send our way because it fits your grand plan to reach all people with your good news.  Amen.

Don’t ask God to bless your plans.  Ask him to plan your blessings. 

Tuesday, February 14th

“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Dear Jesus, I can get so hung up in the history of a relationship that I forget your one simple command to love that other person.  As sinners we will always let each other down, misunderstand and frustrate one another.  We can get lost in remembering the negative tone or the hurtful remark too.  And remembering makes it so hard to love.  But when you ignore the history because of grace, that’s when love is possible in all relationships.  You have that love for me.  Help me have it for the “others” in my life.  And help them have this love for me.  This forgiving and refreshing love, the kind that gives and forgives, is the physical evidence of our spiritual relationship with you.  Give me that love always for every person I meet.  Amen.

Love doesn’t need the other person to do or be anything special in order to respond well. 

Monday, February 13th

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.  ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”  Hebrews 12:12-13

Dear Father, Now is not a time for me to be afraid.  Now is not a time for me to shrink back.  Now is not a time for me shrivel up in the face of difficulty, of trouble, or of your fatherly discipline.  Now is not a time for that.  You are my Father and you are working in my life for my eternity and to shape me into your likeness.  You are my Savior and you have made me holy for this life and for your service.  Now is not a time for me to be wimpy and weak.  Forgive me for this timidly and meekness.  This fearful heart of mine is not born of you.  It is born of my own heart and life.  I have nothing about myself to be confident in.  I know myself.  And the life of faith is hard.  I do not have the strength.  So, I pray, Father, strengthen me for this life of faith.  Raise up a courageous heart in me.  Give me grit and and strength to carry on even when it is difficult.  I am your child.  Strengthen me for this life so that I might rise up and live as your child in it.  Amen. 

Now is not a time for me to shrink back.  I am the Father’s child.  Now is a time to rise up with courage, grit, strength and confidence. 

Saturday, February 11th

“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”  Hebrews 11:27

Dear Father, I notice some striking similarities when I read through these heroes of faith chapter of the Bible.  I notice the way that all of these heroes of the faith live.  I noticed their bold, confident, and unafraid of way of life that they lived.  They made choices in their lives because they were living by faith in you.  They made choices about the things they were going to do because they were living by faith in your power and in your promises.  That’s not often the way I live, Father.  I often make decisions because of fear, because of what feels good to me in the moment, because of the pressure that others put on me, because of a host of reasons other than the ones that are mine by faith.  Forgive me for this and help me to live like Moses.  He roared like a lion and was unafraid of the king’s anger.  He faced him with a lion heart because he saw you.  He saw your power.  He saw your promise.  He saw your compassion and love.  Help me to see this by faith even though it is invisible to my eyes.  Help me to see this by faith and live my life accordingly.  Faith alone is what saves me.  But where there is faith, there is a new way of life.  Work that in my heart and life, O Spirit.  Amen.

Faith lives boldly, confidently, and like a lion because it trusts in God who is able to do all things. 

Friday, February 10th

“What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?”  Proverbs 25:8

Dear Heavenly Father, I live in a society quick to point out sin and prone to sue for damages.  I’m not sure many Christians even know that this passage is in your word.  You do not promise to help us with every claim we bring to court.  You would rather have us depend on you in prayer, to love our neighbor as ourselves and to forgive instead of expose faults.  Give us faithful and humble hearts that seek your face when we are hurt and are slow to sue our neighbor.  Help us remember that you satisfied your own justice so you would never have to condemn us in your heavenly court.  Make us imitators of your justifying love.  Amen.

A mark of faith is a peaceful and forgiving heart.

Thursday, February 9th

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”  Proverbs 24:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father, How tempted we are to focus on the outward home you provide.  Our culture teaches us to chase the American dream of home ownership, well furnished with the best and most refreshed accessories.  We are even tempted to go into debt to have more or to be sad that it will be a long time before get what we want.  How shallow this perspective makes us!  You show us in your word how a home is truly made a wonderful place.  It’s wisdom, understanding, and spiritual knowledge.  When we get how to trust you for your goodness, we cease fighting for what we want.  When we understand that releasing each other from guilt through apology and forgiveness we start to understand the secrets to a good relationship.  When we know the will of God and trust it enough to avoid sin, we will show knowledge that guides us away from fateful decisions.  Our homes will be safe, strong and peaceful.  They will be decorated by grace and beauty that no big box store could provide.  Oh, Jesus, make our homes this wonderful haven you promise.  Amen.

A home made by God has his homeowner’s warranty, promising to fix whatever befalls the people there.

Wednesday, February 8th

“Rich and poor have this in common:  The LORD is the Maker of them all.”  Proverbs 22:2

Dear Lord, How often have I sat in my car waiting for the light to turn green and looked over to see a homeless person panhandling and thought, “I’m glad my life is better than that.”?  There’s a fine line between, “I’m glad my life is different” and “I’m glad I am different.”  The latter is deadly.  You are the maker of all people and in your eyes we all panhandle on the side of your road.  We beg you for handouts in our prayers.  We put ourselves in this predicament and we deserve nothing from your hand.  But daily you roll down the window and hurl out your Son, our jobs, our friends and our endless opportunities to succeed.  Thank you for your condescending grace that blesses us poor beggars.  Never let me look at anyone standing beside my two-ton blessing on wheels, as anything other than an equal soul, loved by you and put there for me to love too.  Amen.

All humans are cut from the same lumber.  God can salvage any one of us for his heavenly furniture.

Tuesday, February 7th

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”  Hebrews 9:14

Lord God, I can hardly imagine the pressure that the Old Testament regulations and rules placed on the worshipper, on the priest, on all of the people.  They had to keep on bringing the sacrifices and they had to keep on bringing them the right way and at the right time.  It was a never-ending stream of sacrifices.  I can hardly imagine that pressure, but I do understand it.  Because, dear Father, I sometimes feel that same pressure about my life.  I feel a pressure to do the right things at the right time and in the right way so that I will not fail you and let you down.  I feel that same pressure to do the right things so that I do not fail others and let them down.  I feel a pressure to do a little bit more, to work a little bit harder, to make up for wrongs that I’ve committed.  But this verse sets me free, Father.  Your blood, O Jesus, has cleansed my conscience from acts that lead to death.  You have cleansed me from sin.  And, moreover, you have done all that the Father required.  And now, through your blood, which is better than any blood of bulls or goats, I can just go out and live my life for you and others.  I’m not trying to measure up because I already do.  I’m not trying to get your applause and pleasure because I already have it.  I’m not working to get my freedom; I already have it.  Thank you, Father, for setting me free to serve you.  Amen.

There is no pressure on the Christian life to do the right thing.  That pressure was removed when Jesus shed his blood.  Now, because of his blood we are set free to do the right thing.

Monday, February 6th

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19

Dear God Almighty, There is so much in this world and in my life that is uncertain and unsecured.  There is so much in my own heart that is tossed by circumstances in life.  Sometimes I feel like I am a ball in the ocean tossed here and there by the waves without any real mooring.  Things happen in my life and I have absolutely no control over them.  More than that the word and promise of people in my life is a shaky foundation at best.  The best and most true person in my life makes promises and lacks the ability to follow through even though they truly want to.  Father, this makes my life uncertain and my heart insecure.  But Father in your Word you give me a promise that is an anchor for my soul.  You do not change and so your promises do not change.  Your power controls all things and so I know that when you make a promise not only do you have the power to carry it out.  You have sworn an oath to me and you will not change your mind.  You have sent your Son to remove my sin and my guilt.  You have sent your Son to open the kingdom of heaven to me, yes, to me.  In him and in you alone do I set my hope.  In this world this is the anchor for my soul.  It is firm and secure.  Make this a mooring for my heart and soul today, dear Lord, that I would not anxious or upset, that I would not be worried or afraid, but would instead put my trust in you and in your unchanging Word.  Amen.

Since God’s word is unchanging and his power is almighty, the promises that he makes to us are an anchor for our souls; it is firm and secure. 

Saturday, February 4th

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”  Hebrews 4:9-10

Dear Father, You created this world perfectly in six days and it was good; it was very good.   And on that seventh day you rested from the work of creating.  You rested because the work of creating was done.  When your Son came down from heaven; when he had lived a perfect life and then hung innocently upon the cross, he also cried out loudly.  “It is finished.”  He wanted the world to know that his work of saving, his work of redeeming, and his work of forgiving-all of his work was done.  Father, I so often live my life as there still is something that needs to be done towards my salvation, my forgiving.  In some way I think to myself that I need to live a certain way to earn, at least, add to what Jesus did for me.  This is what keeps my heart from resting.  There is an inner voice inside of me that is crying out for approval.  But I already have it from Christ.  I already have heaven from Christ.  It is finished.  It is done.  It is completed.  I am already sufficient.  I am more than a conqueror through him.  Dear Father, give rest to my heart and so also rest to my body because the only work that needed to be done for my salvation was already done.  More than that, the work of providing and protecting me and my family will also be accomplished through your hands and not mine.  Father, all things are under your control, guided by your love, and I am guarded by your power.  Savior, eternity and a perfect standing before you are already attained for me by you.  Set my heart at rest as I trust in you.  Amen.

If God is done and has entered his rest, so also we are done and have entered his rest.  Enjoy it.  Jesus took naps.  So can you.

Friday, February 3rd

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.”  Proverbs 21:2

Dear Heavenly Father, Solomon said he got his wisdom from his father, David, and the Holy Spirit.  David was chosen by you to be king because you saw his heart.  You even passed up his older brothers because David’s heart beat in rhythm with yours.  You see the heart when we only see outward actions.  I know of people who have endless arguments about being “right”.   I have a few such arguments myself.  I love how your Proverb blows away all our self-righteous attempts to justify ourselves.  You weigh the heart.  I know you see how out of balance mine can be.  Please have mercy on me and forgive my sinful heart.  But take it further and purify my heart from all unclean and selfish thoughts and make me someone you like as much you love.  Make me holy from the inside out.  Amen.

In Christ and his word we clean up real well.

Thursday, February 2nd

“In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him.  Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.  But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”  Hebrews 2:8-9

God Almighty, I see what you did here.  I see what you did when you sent Jesus to live, to die, to rise and to rule.  You put everything under his feet.  There is not one thing in this world that is not subjected to him.  And yet that is not what I see.  I see disorder and chaos.  I see people growing old and frail so that they finally fail.  I see divisions between peoples.  I see wars and hear rumors of wars.  In my own life too, I see and I feel the same.  Things sometimes seem to be chaotic in my own life.  My own heart is a big mess too.  Though you rule there, another force seems too often be at work.  It wages war against what I know to be good and true.  I see and feel all this in my heart and life.  I see this, but I also see you, dear Jesus.  I see you and you tasted death for me and for everyone.  You suffered defeat in death’s cold grip, but then you shoved death down again and put it under your feet.  You rose triumphant, O Jesus, and you brought great victory to me and to all who believe in you.  Help me to see you clearly dear Jesus.  Help me to see you and your victory.  Help me to see that you are reigning even when I see disorder and chaos.  Help me to trust that in the disorder and the chaos you are working good and are ruling it for me.  Bring me peace and rest because of your mighty rule.  I see you, Jesus!  Amen.

Seeing Jesus and his victory helps us see life from a whole new perspective. 

Wednesday, February 1st

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”  Hebrews 1:14

Lord God, What an astounding question this is.  And I know what the answer is.  I know what answer you want me to give to this question: “Of course they are.”  This is astounding and awe-inspiring, “ Lord God.  Your angels see your face.  They come into your presence in heaven already.  They are holy and perfect creations of yours.  They are powerful beyond human strength.  They are your special creation and you have made them to be ministering spirits to serve me and my salvation.  You have made them to serve all who will inherit salvation.  These powerful, elevated creations, you assign them to sinful human beings to guard them from danger, to guide us along right paths, and to serve us as we walk the way of faith toward heaven.  O Lord God, thank you for revealing this to me that angels are serving me all night and all day whether I know it or not.  I pray, Lord God, send your holy angel to guard me this day from all harm and every evil.  Keep me from it this day.  And when I lay my head down to rest send your angels to watch over me in my sleep and to guard me until the sun dawns on the new day.  Amen.

Angels are a gift from God to serve and protect God’s people.