Tuesday, July 18th

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”  Proverbs 12:11

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to be humble and faithful enough to work “my land.”  That is, help me to do the normal things you have given me to do in my individual life.  It’s so easy to get caught up in dreams about what my life could be or should have been and then I waste all kinds of energy in regrets and strivings about a fairy tale life.  Right in front of me you have given me opportunities for deep relationships, productive work and peaceful partnership.  Give me the faith and the tenacity to get my work done and to fulfill my family and work obligations with joy and self-sacrificing demeanor.  Help me to be content deep in my heart just to be alive and serving in your world no matter where and how.  Amen.

Just being alive and burdened with love is a huge privilege for a fallen soul. 

Monday, July 17th

“When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, ‘Praise be to the Lord who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt.  He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.’”  1 Samuel 25:39

Lord God, During my life there are times when I want to take matters into my own hands and fight to make it happen.  I’m tempted to say things that will tear other people down.  I’m tempted to do things that will hurt other people.  I’m tempted to do all kinds of things that are unbecoming and sinful for a child of God simply because I want my cause to succeed, simply because I do not want to be defeated and hurt.  Lord God, teach me to entrust my cause to you.  You promise me that you are on my side and you will not sit back and let evil have its way.  You promise me that no one and nothing can stand against me.  Keep a vengeful and bitter spirit far from me.  Keep a vengeful and bitter spirit far from my heart.  And in all things, teach me to entrust my cause to you.  You will not let me down.  Amen.

We do not know what the Lord will do in our defense or how he will uphold our cause.  But this we know: Our cause is in his hands and he will uphold it.  Yes, if God is for us, who can be against us.  No one can.  Not now, not ever.  He will prevail for us. 

Saturday, July 15th

“When David was at Horesh in the desert of Zion, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.  And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.”  1 Samuel 23:15-16

Lord God, I thank you for the friends you have placed in my life.  You have ensured that in every moment of life I will never walk alone.  You have given me friends most importantly who will confront me when I am wrong and comfort me when I am wronged.  You have given me friends who will show me Jesus and share your Word with me.  I want to thank you, Lord, for the friends whom you have placed in my life to give me strength from you.  I pray, help me to be a friend like that to them and to anyone else whom you place in y path.  Help me be a friend who is present, who is sympathetic and compassionate.  Help me be a friend who shares God’s truth in all its mercy and majesty.  Help me be a friend who points my friends to my greatest Friend.  You are a Friend to me, dear Jesus, who always lets me in and never lets me down.  Stay close to me today, dear Jesus, and walk with me as I pour myself out for others in my path.  Amen.

Consider today whom you might befriend like this.  To whose side can you step so that you can help them find strength in the Lord?  What promises of God will you tell them?  How can you be a friend like Jonathan who helps your friends find strength in God? 

Friday, July 14th

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Dear Jesus, I seem to give an inordinate amount of time to think about what my strengths and weakness are.  I wonder what gifts I have and how I can use them to advance my own personal real estate in the lives of others.  But your word here takes me one giant step deeper.  You remind me that all my gifts, talents and abilities, are nothing if I don’t possess your unconditional love for all people.  Your love is the gas in the tank that drives all other strengths.  If I’m not captivated and motivated by love, all of my life is a clanging bell without any rhyme or reason.  Jesus, please miraculously motivate me by love so everything else makes sense in my life for me and others.  Amen.

When we are filled and driven by love, our confusion about our lives burns off like the morning fog. 

Thursday, July 13th

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body.  ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’  This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”  Ephesians 5:25-33

Dear Jesus, I don’t think any of us can fully fathom how near and dear you hold every marriage in your heart.  They are all your invention built on deep spiritual truths about your love for all humanity.  And so often I join humanity in missing the whole point.  Help all married people and me today, to grasp how wide, how deep, how long and how high is your love and respect for our marriages.  Give us deep spiritual insight to discern how we can be salt and light to those around us by how we treat and talk about our spouses.  Help some poor struggling couple somewhere to discover their God given roles, to accept your unconditional love and to practice powerful Christ like tenderness in their marriages.  Protect them from affairs, from bitterness and isolation.  Give them supportive families and friends and raise up millions of shining examples of who you are and what you do for us, through the marriages you have created.  Amen.

Marriage is a monument to God’s tenacious love for all humanity.  Erect a good one in your neighborhood for all to see. 

Wednesday, July 12th

“David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam.  When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.  All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander.  About four hundred men were with him.”  1 Samuel 22:1-2

Dear Father, You are my refuge and strength; you are my ever-present help in trouble.  I am often afraid and my security is often threatened by many things.  My financial security is threatened by unexpected bills and payments.  My physical security is threatened by dangers and by deteriorating health.  My job security is threatened by those who want to take my job or simply by those who may be better at my job than I am.  So much in my life is threatened and I’m tempted to lash out to try to protect what is mine.  I’m tempted to fight back to create a wall to protect myself.  But, Lord, I can be no refuge for myself.  You must be my refuge.  You must be my fortress.  All my walls that I set up will one day come crumbling down.  But you, Lord, are my refuge and fortress.  You are impenetrable.  You will never fall.  Come against whatever will and I am unafraid because you are my fortress.  You are with me and I will not fall when I am safe in you.  Amen.

You need not run scared or live insecurely.  God is your refuge and he will not crumble or fall.

Tuesday, July 11th

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

Dear Lord, Help me to always remember that my plans for my future must pass before your almighty throne.  I live in your world not the other way around.  You have plans for my life that I could never fully understand this side of heaven.  So, give me the faith to let go of control, the hope to stay optimistic in every situation, and the love to bless those you bring into my life outside of my purview.  My times are in your hands.  Amen.

Play the hand you’re dealt with peace, confidence joy and love.  The goal is to play well, not to win at all costs. 

Monday, July 10th

“Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.  So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.  In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.  When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.”  1 Samuel 18:12-16

Dear Jesus, I see how jealousy quickly sets down roots in my heart and life.  I quickly make comparisons with other people and other organizations and I become jealous.  I become jealous of their success.  I become jealous of their popularity.  I become jealous of their gifting.  I become jealous of so many different things and become discontented with me and what you’ve given me.  More than that, God, in those moments I realize that I am becoming discontented with you.  And I know what a slap in the face that is.  When I become jealous of those things, in other people or other groups, I am essentially saying to you that you are not enough.  Forgive me for this, dear Father.  You are truly enough for me.  The truth is you are more than enough for me.  You have given me your full acceptance and approval.  You love me and call me your dear child.  I am fully acceptable to you.  More than that, you have brought me into your kingdom and you rule over my life for my good.  You keep me from things that would be harmful to my soul.  You give me things that will be helpful to my walk of faith.  You do all things for my good.  You give me yourself and promise to never leave or abandon me.  Keep jealousy and fear far from my heart today.  You are enough for me; yes, you are more than enough.  Amen.

There is nothing more than you can have than God.  When you have him, you have the most you could ever have.  And in Jesus you have him.  In Jesus you have his acceptance.  In Jesus you have his approval.  In Jesus you have his praise.  In Jesus you have God!  Let that be enough for you today.  The truth is God is more than enough.  Set your heart on him. 

Saturday, July 8th

“David ran and stood over him.  He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath.  After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.  When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.  Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron.  Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.  When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.”  1 Samuel 17:51-53

Dear Savior, I am reminded today of my own fears when it comes to your holy name, when it comes to your holy truth.  Your name is often dragged through the mud, challenged, and defied in so many different ways.  Sometimes I stand there and keep my mouth shut thinking that it’s better to say nothing in this situation.  Sometimes I keep my mouth shut afraid of a fight.  I confess how I have shrunk to defend your name and to speak up against those who defy it.  Forgive me, dear Savior!  Little David reminds me of how you completely trampled on and cut off the head of the Enemy who defied your name and tried to destroy me and all of your people.  He reminds me of your victory of the cross.  That victory of yours on the cross erases my sin and raises me up to surge forward.  Let today be a day of surging forward against the hosts of hell.  Let today be a day of strong fighting against the sinful urges in me that would keep my mouth closed.  Let today be a day of drowning my sinful nature in me and not of standing idly by while it works its wickedness.  Let today be a day of surging forward to rescue others from the jaws of this great enemy who has been nullified.  Let today be a day of surging forward.  Amen.

Friday, July 7th

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”  Proverbs 15:28

Dear Lord, I know how a reckless word from someone else can hurt.  Sometimes it lingers in my heart like a bad smell on a humid, still day.  I don’t want to be that person who stinks up everyone around him.  So, give me the wisdom to put a bit in my mouth and make every word filter through the Scriptures so I can discern if it is worth saying or not.  Help me to be genuine in my encouragements and friendly in all my exchanges.  Make my mouth a blessing and not a curse.  Amen.

Words that bless are like a stream of cool water on a hot and dry day. 

Thursday, July 6th

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.”  Proverbs 14:4

Dear Lord, Sometimes I get stressed by my cluttered desk, messy garage and disheveled closet.  But I find comfort in this verse.  Neatness is not a biblical mandate but productivity is.  When we are busy about your work, we will have temporary clutter.  Make my life more like a messy home factory than a museum for others to tour.  After I have accomplished some task like yard work or repairing the car or building a table, I get a sense of what you must have felt on the seventh day.  You looked at all you had made with pleasure.  I’m sure you still feel pleasure in your creation still today.  Give me joy in your creation and in mine.  Today I will look at what you have made and marvel with you in its beauty and symbiotic efficiency.  Amen.

Wednesday, July 5th

“So, he sent for him and had him brought in.  He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.  Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”  So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.  Samuel then went to Ramah.”  1 Samuel 16:12-13

Lord God, So many times during my life I feel inadequate, unprepared, insufficient, and not up for the task that is given to me.  I wake up and wonder what I’m doing in the role in which I find myself.  I wake up and wonder how I got to the place when there are so many reasons that it shouldn’t be me.  I think that someone else could do this better, with more courage, with more skill than I can.  But Father, I am astounded to see what you did in David’s life.  You came to this nobody in a nowhere town and you chose him.  I am even more astounded that you did it for me.  You entered my life through baptism and in so many other ways and said to me, “You are the one!”  You have given me your Spirit and strength and wisdom to do this task in front me.  My sufficiency and adequacy in this task are from you.  I pray, grant me strength and wisdom and your Spirit to do the work you’ve given me to do today.  You chose me for this.  Now, enable me to do it.  Give strength and success to the work of my hands.  Amen.

There are so many reasons that it shouldn’t be you.  But God has come to you and said, “This is the one!”  You have God’s Spirit on you.  You are right where you need to be.  God’s has planned it out for you. 

Tuesday, July 4th!

Dear Lord, We pray not out of pride as we implore you to bless our nation.  We pray not for increased riches or superior military might.  We beg you to give our nation a humble spirit that acknowledges you are the one from whom all blessings flow.  We count our blessings of the past.  We thank you for giving them to this generation through the efforts of those who have walked before us.  We ask that you enable us to pass on such gifts to the next generation of Americans.  Your people value liberty, Savior God, because they have come to know freedom from the tyranny of sin, death, and the devil.  Keep us forever free.  We pray in the name of the one who gave up everything that we might have everything we need.  Lord God, please keep blessing America.  Amen.

Monday, July 3rd

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”  Psalm 59:16

Dear Heavenly Father, I get bounced around out in the world by people who don’t care too much about my fragile self-worth and security.  I’m also, vulnerable to car crashes and health problems and everything in between.  If I dwell on these things, I get nervous and jittery too.  That’s why I love this verse from David so many years ago.  I can’t see you but your invisible qualities are everywhere.  So, I know you are there holding our lives in your hands.  I will start my day depending on your love and protection.  You made me and you bought me back through the blood of your Son.  You will protect me until you call me home to heaven.  That is the foundation under my day.  It will be a good day if it’s built on this faith.  Amen.

Trust in God brings peace that strengthens the soul to bless others. 

Saturday, July 1st

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”  Psalm 86:5

Dear Lord, I can’t tell you how many times when I start to pray, I think, “He doesn’t want to hear from me, I’m the person who did this or that sin.  He must be so put out with me.”  This passage from your word gives me courage to approach you in prayer, not demanding an audience before your heavenly throne but believing you are a tender father who loves me with a forgiving heart.  I can forget my sins because you have.  We can get on with a relationship because you have reconciled both of us.  Your grace in your son, makes my prayer life possible.  Thank you for loving me way beyond my mistakes.  Now, be my God and make my day the incredible gift you want it to be.  Amen.

One thing about God being God is that nothing can ruin his love or his plans.

Friday, June 30th

“Siting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” Mark 9:35

Dear Jesus, In a simple word you dealt a death blow to my ego.  If I want to be first in recognition, in privilege, in receiving gifts, or in getting my way, then I must be the very last.  Nothing else will confront and kill my selfishness like a clear and opposite than my desires, “No!”  Please make me a servant of all people and make me want to be last, to work behind the scenes and to let others shine.  When I have won the battle between myself and my selfish nature then there will be peace between me and others around me.  Make me the instrument of that peace by crucifying my desire to have others give me what I think I need to be happy.  This can only happen when you and your promised grace are my everything.  Amen.

When you are filled with God and his love, there is no hunger for others to bow to your whims. 

Thursday, June 29th

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:2-6

Lord Jesus, Teach me to pray.  Compel me to pray.  You have given me so many astounding promises about prayer.  I confess that I don’t use it often enough.  I too often depend on my effort, on my working, on my timing, on my wisdom.  I confess that I often depend more on myself than I do on you.  Forgive me for that and all the other sins I confess to you today.  Help me, I pray, see what a great power and promise lay within prayer.  Compel and constrain me by these promises to devote myself to prayer.  Teach me to pray watchfully that I might stay in the faith and guard it for others.  Teach me to pray evangelistically, to pray for the gospel’s working in my life and through missionaries around the world.  Teach me to pray with a thankful heart and to pour out my praise to you.  You have been so gracious to me in more ways than I can number.  Teach me to pray with a thankful heart.  Lord Jesus, compel and teach me to pray just like you taught your disciples.  Amen.

“You cannot find a Christian who does not pray; just as you cannot find a living man without a pulse that never stands still, but beats and beats on continually of itself, although the man may sleep or do anything else, so being all unconscious of this pulse.”  Martin Luther

Wednesday, June 28th

“Let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

Dear Jesus, You died to redeem my life so that nothing that happens to trouble or shorten it can steal my faith, hope and love.  This trilogy flows out of the great act of redemption that you accomplished for all humanity and me.  Although I feel the wrath of your justice on this sinful body, I know that I have been redeemed.  My body will be renewed on the last day and until then I live in faith, hope and love.  Give me the mental clarity and the internal courage to use this salvation to encourage people around me especially those who are knocked off their feet by health problems and conflict.  Make me an instrument of your hope.  Amen.

Faith, hope and love are real possessions of the redeemed soul.  They make one rich in all circumstances.  

Tuesday, June 27th

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:12-17

Lord Jesus, you have been so patient, gentle, generous and gracious to me in every part of my life.  You give to me in an open-handed way when I have given to others with a closed fist.  You forgive me without even batting an eye when I have often paused and struggled to forgive those who forgive me.  You have sent people into my life to correct and rebuke me when I needed it, but I have often failed to speak up and speak into the lives of the people into whom you have sent me.  Lord Jesus, control me and rule over my every thought and my every action today that I might be controlled by your grace and forgiveness for me.  Control me by your peace so that I am working for peace.  Work in me by your Word that I might be a tool of your Spirit in the lives of other people.  You have called me to this.  You are working in me for this.  Guide, control, and rule over every part of my life by your grace, your mercy, and your peace.  Rule over my heart and life today, dear Jesus.  Amen.

The things that we have in and through Christ control, guide, and govern our every action toward all people and especially toward the body of Christ. 

Monday, June 26th

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12

Lord Jesus, Today help me to remember who I am in you and to live my life out of that identity.  I often assign myself an identity based on how well I am doing in my life as your follower.  I often look at my identity as something that needs to be achieved rather than something that is received.  Help me to remember who I am as I live for you today.  I am one of your chosen people.  Yes, Father, out of all this world you looked at me and chose me in your Son Jesus to be one of your own.  I am not just one in a great crowd of people; I am one of your chosen ones.  I am holy too!  Your Son, washed my sins away and clothed me with his perfect life.  I can say that through faith I am holy and perfect, blameless and blemish free.  And on top of all that, I am dearly loved.  I am dear to you, precious in your sight.  Help me, Father, to remember who I am and live my life out of that.  I am yours!  Help me live my life as the child of God, the holy child of God, the loved child of God that I am.  Let this truth guide and even control my thinking.  Let this truth govern my loving and my living.  Amen.

The disciplined life of the disciple follows and flows out of this complete and perfect identity.  We are not in pursuit of this identity; we already have it as baptized children of God.