Thursday, September 21st

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”  John 13:14-16

Dear Jesus, I want that happy feeling that comes from doing what you would do if you were me.  I want confidence that I’m focusing on the right things.  I want the peace of knowing that others are blessed by my presence in their lives.  I want the freedom to love without counting the cost to myself.  I want self-forgetfulness and other oriented-ness.  I want to do mundane things for others without getting noticed.  I want liberation from the need to be recognized, rewarded and vindicated.  I want you working great things through me for others without anyone knowing I was involved.  Oh Jesus, give me the servant’s heart and the servant’s life.  Forgive me when I don’t want any of these things.  Amen.

There is a happiness that comes from dying to help others live. 

Wednesday, September 20th

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.  John 12:24-26

Dear Jesus, As your life goes, so goes mine.  You give me the meaning of both our lives.  I’m here to lose myself in serving.  I’m not here to serve and be preserved.  I’m here to give it all up for the benefit of others.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I find joy in serving and dying to self even in the hard ways.  Don’t let me shrink back or quit from jobs you have given me just because they bring stress.  Make me a servant and use my life to produce the fruit you want now and after I have taken my seat in heaven.  When my life is over, take what I have done and make it keep on producing good for people long after I am gone.  That’s what your short life does for me.  You gave it up and it still does the greatest things on this planet.  Amen. 

The measure of your life is how it was spent not how it was saved. 

Tuesday, September 19th

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:8, 12

Lord Jesus, I want to be like Peter here in Jerusalem.  I want to have the words that he has.  I want to have the insight that he has into his hearer’s needs.  I want to have the courage that he has.  I want to be more like Peter.  But I am afraid of how people will receive and respond to my words.  I am afraid that I do not know what needs to be said.  I am afraid that I do not have the insight, the wisdom, the courage, the conviction, etc.  Lord Jesus, this kind of courage and wisdom is not in me so, I pray, pour out your Holy Spirit on me.  And just as the Holy Spirit was poured out on you to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the captives and the year of the Lord’s favor, so, Lord Jesus, pour out your Holy Spirit on me.  Pour out on me the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, of counsel and might, of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  Give me your Holy Spirit and continue to transform me daily into your likeness.  I want to be more like you.  Give me your Holy Spirit and make me like you, dear Jesus.  Amen.

There has been a dramatic change in you.  Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit will come to you to give you insight and wisdom and courage and strength and words and comfort and encouragement and prayers and on and on.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit will continue on in our life. 

Monday, September 18th

“Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.”  Acts 3:19-20

Lord Jesus, I carry a heavy burden in my heart and in my life.  Guilt because of my sins overwhelms me.  Pressure to make up for past sins lies on my shoulders.  Fear of confrontation about my sin silences me and breaks my spirit.  But, you Lord God, have wiped out all record of my sin.  There is no record of my sin not in any heavenly book.  There will be no record of my sin on the Day of Judgment.  You have wiped out and completely obliterated all record of my sin.  Give me the same forgetfulness about my sin.  Remove my sin not just from my heavenly record but from my memory.  Do not let the sins of my past (sins that you have already forgiven) haunt and trouble me.  Do not let guilt silence me.  If you have forgiven and forgotten, then all is truly forgiven and forgotten.  Grant this relief to my mind and spirit so that I might serve you with joy and freedom.  Bring refreshing times to my soul today.  Amen.

Times of refreshing are here and have come from your Lord.  Enjoy this today: Your God has removed and obliterated all evidence of sin in your life.  He has given you absolute relief from every burden in your life. 

Saturday, September 16th

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?’  ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’”  John 11:25-27

Dear Jesus, There was hardly a sweeter exchange in all of Scripture.  Her heart was broken.  Her brother was dead.  She knew you could have prevented it.  She hoped you’d bring him back.  You had come to do just that, but more importantly (how could it feel for her that there was a “more importantly”) you wanted her to know that you had come to give eternal life.  You wanted her to live in hope…and she did!  She confessed her faith in you and your greater plan.  Even with such great faith, she still lived in the tribulation of great loss.  I do to.  I believe you are the Christ come into the world to give me rescue from here.  But I still struggle to deal with disappointment and loss.  Help me to live in the peace and hope of your precious promises.  You have created a door to heaven for me.  It stands at the end of my journey and gives me strength to keep going.  Thank you for living with us a time so we could live with you for all time.  Amen.

Faith brings peace.  Doubt brings darkness.  Don’t rest until the peace comes.

Friday, September 15th

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” Acts 3:6-8

Lord Jesus, There are days when my spirit does not sing.  There are days when defeat rests on my shoulders and they sag.  There are days when fear reigns in my mind and it races fearfully.  There are days when guilt weighs down on me and I can’t sleep.  There are days when my spirit does not sing because I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, my own sin in my heart, and do not see you on your throne.  Help me to look up from my mat of despair today to see you on your throne.  You have taken all my sins away and they did not hold you down.  You truly carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.  And in this moment, yes, in every moment, you are sovereign and ruling over all things in this world to refine me like gold.  Lift up my spirit today so that (at least inwardly) I leap and frolic like a well-fed calf.  No sins hold me down.  No fear can hold me back.  Give me courage and confidence to live life as the conqueror that you have made me to be.  Amen.

We have a God who makes our spirits sing so that we “go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2.)  So, what are you waiting for up?  Get up from your mat, leap up and jump and praise your God!

Thursday, September 14th

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be safe.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9

Dear Jesus, People misunderstand this passage because it is so close to the ones where you call us sheep and name yourself the Good Shepherd.  This passage is not talking about sheep but about those men and women who would call themselves shepherds for others.  If they do not come into our lives through you, the gate (you tell us) then they are not honest shepherds and they are not worthy of us following them out to pasture.  You are the litmus test of all true spiritual leaders.  Do they live by you and the grace you brought for all human kind or do they live for morality alone, or discipleship alone, or religious music alone, or for prayer alone, or for any other idea over the idea that you are our Savior of all people.  The rescue of humanity in Christ is the beating heart of all true shepherds.  So, dear Jesus, lead all pastors, parents, elders and Bible teachers to enter by you and your grace.  Make them Christ-centered so that they find pasture for your sheep, so they give them good food for their souls, pasture that changes their lives not by law but by gospel, pasture that does not promise only temporal rewards but promises an inheritance that never spoils or fades, pasture that invites, encourages, lifts up, and changes the way people think deep in the core of their inner being.  Give us good shepherds under you, dear Jesus.  Amen.

Jesus came to become the central figure in everyone’s soul.  Don’t accept anything less from him.

Wednesday, September 13th

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42

Lord God, In your great mercy, you have joined me to yourself and to your body.  You have joined me to a body of believers.  I am not alone in faith or in life.  I am united to you and to every believer of all times and in every place.  I forget that.  I tend to isolate myself.  I leave my fellowship and connectedness to other believers at church.  I leave behind y devotion to God’s Word when I put my Bible away after devotions.  Sadly, I am not as devoted to you as deeply as I ought to be.  Forgive me.  Forgive me and raise up in me a desire to rise up in my devotion to your Word.  Make your Word-the study of it and the meditation upon it-such a vital part of my daily life that I never stop thinking on it even after I walk away from my study.  Make your people, the community of believers such a constant part of my daily life that I am always thinking of, praying for, and actively caring about them even when we are apart.  You have joined me to something bigger than me.  Help me to devote myself to you and to every other believer who is part of your body.  Amen.

It’s time for us, the church, to rise up and be “all in” for the God who is “all in” for us.  It’s time for us to rise up and increase our devotion to his Word.  It’s time for us, the church, to rise up and be “all in” for the community, the body, of which we are an integral part. 

Tuesday, September 12th

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”  John 8:12

Dear Jesus, I love how you talked about being the light that we follow just like your ancient people followed your Father’s cloud and pillar of fire during their wondering in the wilderness.  Since you said these words at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles that commemorates this phenomenon, I can see why you used the imagery.  Your Father was the nightlight for your people, reassuring them of his presence during their struggles on earth.  You are now the fulfillment of the picture.  You are our nightlight.  So much about my life can seem dark, such as guilt, shame, regret, disappointment and fear.  But you and your mercy step in and I feel safe and loved.  I have light in your gospel that assures me of your gracious presence in my life.  I have the light of hope and peace too.  In the light of your love you lead me to impact others and I follow you even into challenging moments in relationships.  You are my light and I will follow you where you lead me today.  Amen.

Monday, September 11th

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”  Acts 2:36

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Messiah.  You have come to take my sins on your shoulders and to pay the price for all of my sins.  You did that when you died on the cross.  You are also my Lord.  You have ascended higher than all things and now rule over this world, even over me, with power and might and justice.  Yet, this is where I often have trouble submitting.  I don’t like the idea that you get to tell me how I should feel or how I should act or what I should do in this world.  I don’t like the idea that you get to be the boss of me.  I bristle at the idea that I am not free to do as I please.  Forgive me for this, dear Jesus.  Forgive me and help me to submit to you in every part of my life.  Forgive me and help me to follow you and obey you.  You truly are my Lord and my Savior.  Amen.

Saturday, September 9th

“Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart.  Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.  Acts 1:24-26

Lord Jesus, This is your day and I get to live in it.  As this day begins please send me your Holy Spirit.  Give me your Holy Spirit to work in me to guide my thinking, my choosing, my deciding and my actions.  Holy Spirit, remind me of everything you have taught me in the Scriptures and more.  Help me to make decisions that will please you.  Help me to do things that align with your Word, with your will and with your desires.  I truly do not want my own way, but yours, O God.  Yet, I know my sinful heart.  It thinks, it feels, it desires, and it decides things that align with my sinful heart rather than with yours.  In addition, though I truly want your will to be done.  I do not always know what that will truly is.  So, I pray, Lord God take everything that I think, that I feel, that I desire and that I decide today and use it for your good.  Turn it and redirect it if you must so that your way and your will and your desire is always accomplished.  Amen.

God allows us great influence over our lives.  We are not simply pawns on God’s chessboard.  At the same time, our Father continues and maintains his will over our lives and over this world.  What a God we have!

Friday, September 8th

“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”  Luke 10:41-42

Dear Jesus, Things keep breaking.  I keep getting bad news.  People keep needing help.  I keep forgetting things.  I suffer from miscommunication.  Some is my own.  Some belongs to others.  There are delays on the one hand and deadlines on another.  Disappointment and sorrow loom.  I hear you saying to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things but Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  I want that better part.  When I rest at your feet, listening to your word, I find the escape that comes at no cost.  It settles me and gives me joy and hope.  It’s your good word and your good news.  In that quiet place teach me what I need to know to be happy while I get up and go out to live in the soup.  Be my peace and my guide, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Life is like a bowl of soup, lots of random pieces all thrown together until Jesus brings just the right seasoning.  Then it all comes together and tastes swell. 

Thursday, September 7th

“At the pool of Bethesda a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?”  John 5:3-6

Dear Jesus, I wonder what made you pick that guy out of all the sick and lame people that day.  What made you relieve him of suffering while you left others to struggle?  I wonder the same today.  What makes you choose to rescue one and not another?  You have taught me that earthly struggles all play a role in our grand struggle and rescue.  If I demand to know why you choose to help one and not another in a single moment, I will miss the point that you really have rescued everyone.  But I still cannot overlook the fact that you chose me to know you and salvation.  You chose me, to give me the Holy Spirit who makes me understand the meaning of life in the context of grace.  You chose me to be healed of guilt and blame.  You chose me to the recipient of grace!  I don’t have to understand why you chose me.  I’m just grateful for the grace full you have poured out on me.  Yes, I want to get well.  I want to be healed of my otherwise hopeless life.  Thank you for rescuing me of all people.  I will live by faith today and will choose to love others the way you have loved me.  Amen.

Live grateful of the grace full you have received from Christ.

Wednesday, September 6th

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Lord Jesus, Pour out your Holy Spirit on me generously, boldly, and abundantly.  Set your Word in my heart and make it like a fire in my bones that I cannot hold back.  There are many times, dear Savior, when my own fears and doubts keep me from speaking up.  There are many times, O Spirit of God, that my own selfishness stops me from sharing your truth.  There are many times that I am afraid of what may happen to me if I speak.  O Holy Spirit, light a fire in my heart with your Word that cannot be put out.  Let your truth overflow from my heart and into my mouth as I go into this world.  Make me bold.  Make me courageous.  And let nothing hold me back from sharing your Word today.  Amen.

The Holy Spirit powers us up and makes us bold and courageous so that nothing will hinder us from sharing Jesus with our world. 

Tuesday, September 5th

“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’  ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied.  ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.  Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.  He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.  Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’” John 2:3-10

Dear Jesus, You told Mary she had crossed the line and then you gave her what she asked.  I will spend all day thinking about that.  She trusted that once she had told you, she would be able to accept your answer.  I will think about that a lot too.  When I see her prayer, your response and her repose, I learn the nature of prayer.  I learn to ask indiscriminately and to accept your answer without judgment too.  I trust you will handle my prayers with grace even if you see me ask too much or for the wrong thing.  I feel safe praying to you after I read the wedding story.  Thank you for being my gracious Savior who leads me into truth while I am just trying to get by.  Amen.

Pray to God about everything.  Let him sort it out.  But learn to pray to him about his main things too. 

Monday, September 4th, Labor Day

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  Colossians 3:23

Lord Jesus, On this Labor Day, we remember that you were a carpenter’s son and worked with your hands.  You know the joys and sorrows of a working person.  Your Word encourages our honest work yet also invites us to rest from our labors.  Inspire my faith by your life-saving, sin-forgiving work for me.  Overcome my worries with your promise to provide for all my needs.  When I fall short in my work, forgive and help me to be faithful.  Grant me grace to joyfully work for you until the day I enjoy eternal rest with you.  Amen.

Saturday, September 2nd

“He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?’  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’  She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’  (which means ‘Teacher’).”     John 20:15-16

Dear Savior, You know the sound of my voice.  It doesn’t matter how weak it is.  It doesn’t matter how doubting my cries are.  It doesn’t matter how fearful or troubled my prayers are.  It doesn’t matter how upset or frustrated I am.  You hear my voice and you come to me.  Every time.  That’s the way it is with my prayers.  Your ears are tuned to my voice.  As soon as I begin to speak to you, you turn your ears to listen.  I can be sure of this as well.  You will come to me.  You will come to me just as I need your peace, to restore my confidence.  You will come to me.  You will not leave me alone.  Amen.

Friday, September 1st

“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’  ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’  Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’  Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.  You will see greater things than that.’  He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” John 1:47-51

Dear Jesus, You saw how ardently Nathanael pursued a relationship with God, your father, as he meditated on truth and honestly tried to deal with his sin.  He must have been exhausted by his concentrated effort.  But then he heard the words of grace as you reminded him that you were the gracious God who forgave Jacob of his deceit.  Nathaniel was introduced to grace, the only path to your father.  He called you the Son of God.  You called yourself the Son of Man.  You revealed your two natures and your saving work, all in a dialogue with a soul.  You have done the same for my soul.  I believe you are God and man come to give me grace.  But I also want to be good, to honor your gift not earn it.  Thank you for being gracious to all of us.  Amen.

God’s angels surround all who trust in him.  Don’t forget to live with that confidence. 

Thursday, August 31st

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  John 1:16

Dear Jesus, I have always let this verse live in the shadow of verse 14 that comes before it.  (“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.)  But today this verse stands out to me.  From your fullness I have received grace in place of grace.  I looked up an older translation and it reads, “one blessing after another.”  Both translations remind me that I’m receiving countless blessings from you without deserving any of them.  I have had so many people love, share with me, forgive me, bless me, encourage me, thank me, and build me up.  You have provided for me in embarrassing abundance.  I have enjoyed the peace of grace and faith in my heart for decades because you taught me your word as a child.  I have lived under promises like an umbrella during a rain storm.  I have hope in heaven that crowns every day.  From you, Jesus, I have received grace upon grace.  I am overwhelmed with thankfulness when I pause to think of the grace you have given me.  I cannot help but love you all day long.  Amen.

What we realize what God has given us is a fraction of what he really has. 

Wednesday, August 30th

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”  Proverbs 14:10

Dear Heavenly Father, There are times when I experience deep feelings of disappointment toward people I had hoped would walk close to me in life but who seemed out of touch with my emotions and even uninterested in trying to figure me out.  Here you tell me that it’s the way of life on earth.  I have an “alone” road to walk.  Knowing that you see this, understand this, and love me through this, helps me immensely.  In one way, I get to have a unique experience that no one can invade.  You created me and you know all my thoughts.  You “get me” even when I don’t get myself.  I know your Son, Jesus, understands this alone-ness because he felt alone as your perfect Son when he walked here with us.  So, I have him also as an understanding friend.  I repent of expecting too much from people.  I forgive them for not being with me in every feeling and emotion I have.  And I commit myself to being the best friend I can be for them.  Thank you for giving me a path to walk that is uniquely mine.  I will work hard to make the best out of it, trusting that you graciously accept my efforts.  Amen.

 Alone-ness will only be loneliness if you make it so.