Tuesday, August 22nd

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.  Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”  Isaiah 53:3-4

Dear Jesus, One of the most irksome things in life is being accused of something that someone else did.  It drives me crazy to think about it.  And here I see in this passage that for thousands of years before you were accused of everything I did, you were contemplating it.  You laid it all out in prophetic scripture.  You weren’t just accused, you were convicted and punished for my crimes.  How deeply you embraced the unjust suffering that brought my justice.  It’s like it was already done.  You even talked about it in past tense.  I know you see my sins.  I know you took them on yourself.  I know you want this to settle my guilt once and for all.  Frankly, it’s the most intimate act of love I could ever imagine.  You are the truest friend for every soul.  Thank you for taking the wrap for me.  Help me to be grace-filled to everyone in my life as my way of showing my gratitude to you.  Amen.

The greatest sign that we believe in grace is that we share it others. 

Monday, August 21st

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  Proverbs 31:8-9

Dear Heavenly Father, Give me that altruistic heart that sees the human rights of the destitute, that defends the less fortunate, that networks with other privileged people to get help to those in need.  Make me take the time to see those who need a friend who can change their lives by the help he brings.  Keep me from a judgmental heart that forgets how your grace has carried me over troubled waters that I had created for myself.  Make me a helper but not an enabler.  Give me your heart that values every soul, even the most simple or pitiful ones.  Make me a lover of people who does what he can to help.  Then, also help me to sleep well at night trusting that I cannot fix everything for everyone.  Give me the humility to leave room for you to bring help from other places.  Finally, thank you for rescuing all of use by divesting yourself of everything, even your breath in order to bring us life forever with you.  Amen.

Investing in the welfare of others reflects the heart of God in our own souls. 

Saturday, August 19th

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  James 1:5

Dear Heavenly Father, I am so flawed and the knowledge of my failures is a constant unwanted companion.  It affects my prayers too.  I think, “If I were God I wouldn’t listen to me.  I’m such a failure.  I don’t deserve his help.”  It makes the way I think about you and myself.  It makes me trust your grace.  You could find fault but you don’t.  You love me that much.  So, I need your help God.  The problems this pandemic has caused are too complex for me.  Give me wisdom on how to carry out my responsibilities to family, job, church and my community.  Help me to adequately allay fears and meet needs.  I will use your wisdom to bless others as best as I can.  But I need your supernatural help to be wise enough to know how.  Amen.

Guilt isolates people and drives them crazy.  God’s grace unlocks the cell and lets you out.

Friday, August 18th

“But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses.  They said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?’  Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people?  They are almost ready to stone me.’”  Exodus 17:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father, During times when your people are under stress they do not always treat your leaders well.  They grumble and criticize because they are needy and they expect leaders to provide.  I know that many government, corporate and church leaders have to get exasperated just like Moses did.  I’m glad he had your attention.  You spoke to him audibly and came through in miraculous ways to help him lead your people.  Help leaders today during these present crises.  Give them patience and creativity to lead your people and to take care of their needs.  And help your people not to use pressure but prayer to get what they need to make it through.  You always provide.  So, provide for our leaders too.  Amen.

Leadership is a rare gift to be honored and appreciated by its beneficiaries. 

Thursday, August 17th

“Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:15-20

Dear Jesus, What it must be like as the eternal God who gave himself only 33 years on earth to watch us waste our time as if we will be here forever.  Help us to redeem our time by finding ways to grow in your word and to serve others instead of mindless binge watching shows on our televisions where others act out make-believe stories spun in the human mind.  The real life drama you have placed right in front of us, is a great opportunity for us to grow internally and have a greater impact on human life.  You designed your word and music to be a powerful combination to make your truths stick in our hearts.  So, give us the creativity to use technology, our voices, musical instruments, and Christian songs to lift each other up and give hope to those who are discouraged.  Help us to replace our penchant for partying with a deep desire to practice sincere Christian joy.  Amen.

A day can’t be saved but it can be invested for a better day tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 16th

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.  Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  Psalm 119:103-104

Dear Heavenly Father, I long for direction and comfort in my life.  Of all the messages I receive every day, I have never found anything as pure and enlightening as your holy scripture.  It always seems to speak to me in my inner most being.  It always takes into consideration what I already know by natural knowledge, that there is a God, that he is you, the creator of all things.  Your word helps me be honest with myself and it gives me the one solution for guilt that no other script has ever done.  It helps me know right from wrong and gives me a desire to chase after the right.  It makes me want to pick myself up when I fall and it makes me want to love my family, my friends and even my enemies.  Your word is spiritual power that drives my life from deep within my soul.  Thank you for giving us a book that ignites fire in the soul of all who read it.  Give me a desire to know your word that makes me prioritize reading it from a quiet place every day.  Amen.

The word of God is living and powerful.  That’s no empty claim.

Tuesday, August 15th

“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 Heavenly Father, These are good times for my generation and me.  The shutdown of our economy makes us stop and reflect on where our help really comes from.  I find myself more worried about widespread financial strain for my friends and me than I do about getting the deadly virus.  Then I have to wonder where my anxiety really comes from.  I think it comes from a subliminal false idea that my economic welfare depends on me and the definable fiscal world in which I reside.  I also think it comes from my lack of experience with widespread economic catastrophe.  Most of the world lives in poverty and disease.  You graciously let me be born into the land of prosperity and opportunities.  So, I’m not very practiced at meditating on truth to get through the hard times.  That’s why this verse is important to me.  It reminds me that you are with me.  I know you will take care of me.  Help me get rid of the very thought that depends on a “what I can see and hear” mentality.  Give me peace and generosity to share with those around me during these tough times.  Make yourself known to every troubled heart.  Calm their fears too and give them friendliness in the stores and along the roads.  Amen.

Worry over finances is the back side of covetousness.  Trust in God and start living free to share.   

Monday, August 14th

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Dear Jesus, What a wonderful verse for this week when we are all hearing about a virus that could sweep the world and kill millions, and when we hear reports out of Nigeria and Pakistan of people killing Christians in brutal attacks.  You gave these words to your Apostle in a day when no one knew what germs were, and the Romans slung people around like rag dolls.  You spoke into their hearts, “I am working well even when you think everything is bad.”  Help me to remember this insight as reports trickle out about new cases of the flu and people running for their lives.  Give me a peace than can be felt by those around me.  Teach me how to be cautious but not fearful, kind but not careless, and obedient but not rigid.  Guide us through these crazy times with the light of your grace and truth.  Amen.

God wants us to work as it depends on us but trust that it really depends on him. 

Saturday, August 12th

“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”  Proverbs 12:16

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to wink at criticism and to stuff my clatter about pet-peeves.  I don’t need to be so egocentric as to believe that everyone needs to know what gripes me.  And often the person that’s annoying me needs my love and patience more than my frustration.  Give me the peaceful strength to avoid venting frustration without repressing it.  Help me to pray my frustrations to you and then to find in your Word the solutions for my angst.  When I do overlook an insult, use that one act of self-control to strengthen the bonds between the one insulting and me.  Oh God, give me the power and wisdom to step out of the downward spiral of disintegrating relationships.  Amen.

Friends that can take a punch are trusted companions in hard times. 

Friday, August 11th

“Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.”  Matthew 24:35

“God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever; to spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor.  Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay.  Lord, grant, while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure.  Throughout all generations. “ Amen.

You can trust this Book!  And not just the Book.  You can count on the God of this Book.  He has spoken and he will not change his mind.  His Word will not disappear. 

Thursday, August 10th

“From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.”  Proverbs 10:31

Dear Heavenly Father, Spare the people around me from any words that come out of my mouth that are selfish, unkind, sarcastic, mean, negative and critical.  Instead guide my thinking and speaking to be positive, encouraging and uplifting.  Help me point to you and the possibilities that you open up to us when we trust that nothing is impossible for you.  Give me the faith, hope and love to make my wholesome talk the honest outflow of a believing heart instead of the forced drip of a polluted mind.  Make me a spring of living water just as your Son was in his short life.  Amen.

Let God clean the well and the water it produces will bless everyone who meets it. 

Wednesday, August 9th

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”  2 Timothy 1:9

Dear Jesus, There’s almost too much here in this one little verse for me to fathom.  You gave me your grace before the beginning of time?  That’s when I was just an idea in your mind but nothing more.  In grace you chose my planned soul to be one who would learn how you fixed our biggest problem called sin and death and restored us to God the Father even before we were born to fall away from him.  What a mind bender?  I will try hard to meditate on your grace today amidst all the hustle and bustle of my various activities.  I cannot get over the fact that I was chosen by you before I even existed.  Help me get this Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Being chosen by God is way more faith building than thinking you first chose him. 

Tuesday, August 8th

“LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”  Isaiah 25:1

Dear Heavenly Father,

It blows my mind to think that with billions of people on the earth, you planned the intimate details of my own little life from eternity.  But by faith in your word, I believe it.  This gives me great comfort because many times my life seems to be a series of random problems strung together and wrapped around my neck.  Since you planned this crazy life of mine, I beg of you to walk beside me in it.  Teach me how to live with hope, peace, faith and love as I deal with situations that too often seem too big for me to handle.  You took care of making me and saving me.  I believe you will take care of all my present struggles too.  Amen.

God planned us from eternity.  What a huge thought to fill one’s day with thinking.

Monday, August 7th

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’  He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”  John 6:5-6

Dear Jesus, So many moments in my life are like this one where you made the disciples stare at their need to realize that without your help they would be sunk.  You often help me see my spiritual, physical and mental depravity so I will learn to depend on you for everything.  And I have seen you come through over and over again.  This Biblical story and my own memories of blessings after emptiness help me let go of my anxieties today.  You will provide.  I cannot do this on my own.  I need you.  Lord Jesus, be my rescuer in every way.  Amen.

We don’t even take one breath without God’s approval.  Why do we worry about anything else? 

Saturday, August 5th

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “declares the LORD.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

Dear Heavenly Father, Well, that verse is the understatement of the century.  You have shown me how different my ideas are from yours in how you have unfolded my life.  And while most of the events you orchestrated turned out better than my abandoned plans, I trust that those that seem to have been a curse, are actually going to turn out to be a blessing.  I love the mystery involved from knowing you are thinking much higher thoughts about my life than I am.  Go ahead and take the wheel.  Just let me know when you want me to get out and do some good works for you.  I will do my best to blossom where I am planted by clinging to your promises.  Amen.

God always thinks the best thoughts toward us because he sees his Son in what he is making us out to be. 

Friday, August 4th

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.  The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”  Psalms 19:7

Dear Heavenly Father, You never planned to leave us to our own devices.  You laid out very clearly what was right and wrong about property, sexuality, reputation, covetousness, envy, trust, and many other virtues.  Your words on these matters are a firm foundation under my life.  They save me oodles of time and energy too.  I can trust your moral will for all people.  However, even though I know your law, I break it.  So, I still desperately need more than your law.  I need your grace and mercy too.  Thank you for both.  With law and gospel my spiritual needs are met.  I’m ready to live them both today.  Amen.

Grace and truth are both earrings adorning a believer's soul.

Thursday, August 3rd

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Mark 11:22

Dear Lord, Help me.  I want to live courageously and stand up for you in this world, but so often I find myself buttoning my lips and sitting on my hands.  I want to step forward in faith, standing on your promises, but so often I am afraid.  Lord, Help me.  Plant your word deeply in my heart so that I know what your promises are.  Remind me of your promises when I am afraid of stepping forward in faith.  Remind me that when you have spoken a promise, you will not change your mind.  Remind me that what you have promised, you will do.  And fill me, Lord.  Fill me with such a deep love for you that I cannot sit idly by while your word is mocked or ridiculed, while your name is dragged through the mud.  Fill me with such a deep zeal for you so that I cannot keep my mouth closed, but will speak up and speak out about the things I have learned and know from your word.  Lord, help me.  I want to be bold and courageous for you.  Fill me more and more with your Spirit so that I am.  Amen.

Faith in the promises and words of God makes us bold and gives us courage to live for him. 

Wednesday, August 2nd

“This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”  1 John 4:9

Dear Jesus, I seem to want you to show your love among us by getting rid of all my struggles including sickness and death.  But you showed your love by coming to live among us to kill death forever.  I can never doubt your love even though my life might be hard and seem to have an impending dead end.  You came and died with us and for us.  You rose from the dead to show what will happen to my body on the last day too.  Now, you promise that we will live through you in the hope of cheating death in our soul even when our bodies fail us.  Help me to find real hope in this good news so I don’t doubt your love even when life gets hard for me or someone I dearly love.  Amen.

Life forever through Jesus Christ, that’s the good news that no one can top. 

Tuesday, August 1st

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  Matthew 22:37-39

Dear Jesus, When this man pressed you to tell him the greatest commandment you very clearly said it was to love your heavenly father with all your heart and then you added that loving people was just as important.  It’s not the clarity of the commandments that haunts me.  I love how clear and simple they make my task for each day.  It’s just that I know I cannot keep either commandment perfectly.  If that’s all I had from you I would be depressed.  But since I know you kept both of them for me, I am all the more encouraged to try, because when I try by faith to love God and my neighbor, you are pleased with me just as my parents were pleased with my little sister’s Easy Bake Oven corn bread.  No matter how badly they tasted, my parents fawned over them because they were made out of love.  You see my love, albeit imperfect, and you fawn over me too.  Thank you Jesus for making life bearable under grace.  Amen.

Grace frees us up to honestly try to keep God’s will out of faith and not fear. 

Monday, July 31st

“Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Take the ark of God back into the city.  If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again.  But if he says,’ I am not pleased with you, ‘then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.’”  2 Samuel 15:25-26

Lord God Almighty, I am often tempted to take things into my own hands.  I am often tempted to fight fire with fire, to fight attacks with more attacks.  I am tempted to throw the spear back.  I am often tempted to live my life and protect myself as if it were all up to me to make my feet secure.  I am often tempted to work as if it were up to me to make things happen and to move things ahead.  But I am learning an important lesson from David today and, I PRAY, SEND YOUR Holy Spirit to me today to help me learn it.  David teaches me to entrust my cause, my case, my name, and my plans to you.  David wasn’t sure where this coup by Absalom was going to lead.  But he did know who was going to lead it.  He knew you and he was safe in leaving the city knowing that whatever you did was going to be good.  Help me to trust your leading and your working.  There is not a thing that happens today or any day that is apart from your working and your ruling.  Help me to live and work and plan because you are my refuge and strength.  You will make my feet secure even as I scramble up a cliff.  Amen.

Today is a day for faith not fear.  Today is a day to trust the Lord’s plan and his working whether we understand it or not.  He will make the footing beneath our feet secure.  His name is our mighty tower and a refuge for our souls.