Saturday, July 29th

“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.  It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.  We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.”  Hebrews 13:9-10

Dear Jesus, There is no principal in scripture, no divine work, no emotional moment, no spiritual high that can compare to the stabilizing, comforting, liberating power of knowing I am covered by your grace and mercy.  Protect my heart from thinking that there is some religious or worldly pursuit that can feed my soul and sustain my faith.  I crave grace above all things.  When I stare into my soul and see what’s really there, I long for redemption not reformation.  I just want to know that despite the fact that I will never measure up to any standard much less your perfect will, that you still love me and will give me audience in your throne room for my prayers and space in your mansion for eternity.  I don’t deserve it.  But you have taught me that it’s mine by grace.  This removes the fear that drives frenetic living.  I can live in peace and quietness and healthy spiritual activity.  Help me live in the power of grace today.  Amen.

God’s treatment center for spiritual washouts is redeeming, accepting, and settling grace.                                                                                                                                               

Friday, July 28th

“The LORD sent Nathan to David.  When he came to him, he said, ‘There were two men in a certain town , one rich and the other poor.’”  2 Samuel 12:1

Lord God, I am often tempted to read about the sin of David and think to myself that I am so glad that I’ve never done something like that.  I’m tempted to minimize my own sin so that it seems insignificant in the face of other sins.  But Lord, I know, that even the smallest sins is big and condemning in your sight.  Forgive me today, dear Lord, for the big sins and the little sins.  And I pray, dear Father, send people into my life to show me how I have sinned against you and other people.  Send people into my life to lead me to repentance.  I can see you doing it in my heart through the conversations that I have with people about their lives that help me see how I have fallen into similar sins.  You reveal the sins of my own heart and life as I sit with other people.  You so gently correct and restore me in those moments.  Send people into my life to point out my sin to me.  When they show me my sin, whether they do it gently or harshly, lovingly or with a judging heart, help me to receive it in faith.  Thank you, Lord, for those people whom you have sent and will send into my life to lead me back to you.  Though the message they bring is painful, the result is forgiveness and salvation from you.  Amen.

In his grace, God sends people into our lives to turn us back to him.  In the same act of grace, God sends us into people’s lives to turn them to him.  Who will you tell today?

Thursday, July 27th

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  Hebrews 13:5

Dear Jesus, You never wanted me to be worried about or become over enthralled with money, istead, you wanted my greatest passion to be for you.  How easily I resort to the accumulation of created things instead of living thankfully with you as my Creator.  It’s very comforting to know that you will never leave me or forsake me.  You are God of the empty times as well as the full.  I am connected with you, my inventor, every day.  I will spend my day with you as my friend.  That’s enough for me.  Protect my heart from the fraternal twins called greed and worry.  You are with me.  That’s all I need.  Let’s go out together and bless some people.  Amen.

Don’t look back at the end of your short earthly life and wish you had lived in the peace of realizing it was all temporary. 

Wednesday, July 26th

“The word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

Dear Jesus, It frightens me to think that you see absolutely every thought that flies through my fallen mind.  I think how disappointed you must be!  But you don’t dwell on the negative.  Instead, you send your word to show me my own thoughts and to help me filter them so they are purified.  I have experienced the cleansing power of your word.  It reveals, washes, and renews.  Thank you for not leaving me alone to stink in my own thinking.  And give me a daily desire to cleanse myself with devotional meditation on your purifying word.  Amen.

You can tell a person who meditates on Scripture by their honest, humble faith and visible desire to live from pure motives. 

Tuesday, July 25th

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”  Acts 20:32

Dear Jesus, Your man, Paul, leads us all on how to “let go” when we know our direct influence over our family or close Christian friends is about to be diminished.  You have designed your word to be so powerful that if people will just read it with an open heart and mind, they will kept safe and will grow in faith and godly living.  So, Jesus, help me to trust your word enough that I will point people to your word and even give them passages for their need and then let go and let you lead their hearts.  You use your word to set people apart for you without my emotional energy to help make it happen.  Knowing you’ve got this, will give me more energy to help more people and it will keep my heart safe from the messiah complex that makes me carry the burden you never made for me.  I like letting you actually be God.  Amen.

You cannot give people a greater gift than a fitting word from God.

Monday, July 24th

“All the tribes of Israel came out to David at Hebron and said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood.  In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military companions.’  And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”  2 Samuel 5:1-2

Lord God, You are always right on time.  Your works, your ways, your plans, your rescue, all that you do is always right on time.  As I live out all the days of my life under your steady, guiding hand, teach me to wait on you.  Teach me to trust that you will be on time so that I do not become worried, anxious or afraid.  Teach me to trust in you so that I do not take things into my own hands and attempt to do things that are truly only yours to do.  And while I wait, teach me to work.  Teach me to work hard at the things you’ve have called and given me to do.  Teach me to do work hard doing the things in front of me to do.  Teach me to wait; teach me to work; and teach me to trust.  Even when I do not understand why things are going the way that they are, even when I do not understand your works or your ways, teach me to trust you.  You are trustworthy.  Your works are good.  Your timing is perfect.  You are always right on time.  Teach me to trust you.  Amen.

We certainly have good reason to trust God.  Trust him that he will do what is perfect and good for you at just the right time. 

Saturday, July 22nd

“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”  Proverbs 17:9

Dear Heavenly Father, Give me the self-control that comes from love to cover over the failings of others with mercy and forgiveness.  And help me to forget them so I am not able to satisfy my need to vent by sharing their mistakes with other people.  I don’t want to be the reason that someone says things negatively about their friends, family and acquaintances.  Instead, I’d rather speak well of them in order to change their impression of each other for the better.  I repent of those times I’ve slipped and told what others have done wrong when there was no good reason to share it.  Thank you for covering my sins so I won’t have to pay for them before your Father in heaven.  Amen.

Forgiveness is the best way to stop sins from causing collateral damage. 

Friday, July 21st

“When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.  So, David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.  David’s two wives had been captured-Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.  David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.  But David found strength in the Lord his God.”  1 Samuel 30: 3-6

Dear Lord, Let the song of my heart today be, “There is no one like our God.”  It contains such a powerful truth for me to remember.  It puts me in my place.  When I am tempted to love or to trust things or people that are not gods and to rely on them for help, this song teaches me that there is no one else in this world worthy of my love or my trust.  Anyone and anything in this world is unable to do what you can do or to give what you can give.  When I am tempted to love or to trust other things, teach me to sing, “There is no one like our God.”  When I am worried and concerned, when anxiety overwhelms my spirit, when I am distressed and troubled because of what is going on in my life, teach me to sing, “There is no one like our God.”  There is none like you in heaven and earth.  There is no one over you in heaven or on earth.  There is no one like you, our God.  Let the song of my heart today be, “There is no one like our God.”  Amen.

The mighty Creator God who rules over all kingdoms of this earth is your God.  The mighty, conquering King-God is who puts nations under his feet is your God.  Find your strength in him.  Against him none can stand.

Thursday, July 20th

“’Here is the king’s spear,’ David answered.  ‘Let one of your young men come over and get it.  The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.  The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.  As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.’”  1 Samuel 26:22-24

Lord God, I don’t think about this enough-that I matter to you, that my life, the breaths that I take are all important to you.  Sometimes I slip into my day as just one of many.  Sometimes I slip into the crowd and struggle to find purpose and meaning and value.  Sometimes it all seems to be a beating against the wind.  But as I meditate on your Word, you remind me how truly valuable I am to you.  I matter to you!  You created me on purpose and with a purpose.  You placed me exactly when and where you wanted me to be and set out my days for me in advance of my coming.  You redeemed me with precious and holy blood of Jesus!  You fashioned and formed by and in Christ for works of service.  I matter to you.  And because of that I matter to other people.  Whether they value me or they don’t, whether they think I’m important or they don’t, I matter to them.  You have placed me here and now and, in their lives, so that I might have an impact of them.  That is your purpose.  Fill me with confidence as I live my life for you and for them, dear Jesus.  Amen.

Your life is valuable to the Lord.  The breaths that you take are all counted up by the Lord, just as the very hairs of your head are numbered.  The beats of your heart pound in the ears of our God because your life matters to him.  You matter to him.

Wednesday, July 19th

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:5

Dear Jesus, How easy it is and yet how hard!  Instead of giving us rules and psychological schemas, you tell us to have your mindset of humility and love.  I’m glad your life is on display in Scripture.  Although I wish there were more to read, what is there is enough to teach me about forgiveness, love, service and peace in relationships.  The record of your life is so powerful that the memory of it guides and protects me from grave errors.  Help me to remember you and how you lived.  When I am rubbed raw by a porcupine person, give me a story from your life to cling to so I don’t react poorly and retaliate.  Make me salt and light as you described by giving me yourself as a resource and example.  Be my Savior and redeem my days.  Amen.

If you follow Christ in your heart, your body will do and say things that change the world, especially the one close in. 

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.