Monday, October 2nd

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  Acts 6:2-4

Lord Jesus, You have grafted me into your body and given me good and important work to do within my callings.  You have done the same for every other member of your holy, Christian church.  It’s a marvelous thing!  It’s a beautiful and a perfect thing!  It’s true that I easily get distracted from my main callings and the work within those callings by a great many things.  I chase the good over the best.  I often even choose the bad over the good.  I am not always busy with the things you have called me to do and get caught up with many other things.  Today, help me to focus on the work you have given me to do and to do it with all the energy that you provide.  Strengthen me for this work.  And help me to support and set others free in their work.  You have done a marvelous thing in your body, dear Jesus.  Put us all to work in your kingdom today for your glory and the salvation of many souls.  Amen.

You are a vital and important member of the body of Christ.  Each one of us has different gifts and different vocations according to the grace that our Savior has given us.  It’s good for us to focus on the work God has given us to do and to set others free to do the work God has given them to do. 

Saturday, September 30th

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other.”  John 15:16-17

Dear Jesus, Help me to keep in mind today that one of the supreme fruits you seek from my life is that would have demonstrative love for other believers.  Give me the faith in your words that makes me own the believers in my church as my own dear family.  Help me fight the urge to withdraw from them.  While we are sheltered at home, give me creative ways to reach out to them to bless and encourage.  Help me see over the fence of my own problems and pursuits to notice if one of them is struggling or needs my help.  Then, give me the supernatural strength to meet their need or to network with others to fill their lives with good things from our family of faith.  Amen.

Jesus’ people are blood relatives through their connection to Christ.

Friday, September 29th

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  John 15:1-4

Dear Jesus, You are the vine that feeds me grace, truth, and peace in my life.  When I stay connected to you by reading and meditating on your word, I feel the power to love people around me in unique and powerful ways.  But when I stop feeding on your words, I soon dry up spiritually and am reduced to anxiety, crabbiness and selfish motives.  I’ve also noticed another thing; I get surprised by hardships our heavenly Father sends my way and at first I want to complain and sulk.  But if I am feeding on your word, I can even find joy in loving another person who seemed to be an interruption to my life of tranquility.  I feel the pruning deeply and am coming to appreciate that the divine gardener is always up to something good even if it means my own pain.  I will remain in you through devotion to your word, while the Father decides how much to cut back in order to make me bear the fruit he wants to last.  Teach me, oh Savior, to live in the same fruit-bearing love that you did.  Amen.

The only way to love others like they need it, is to be loved like you need it. 

Thursday, September 28th

“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”  Acts 5:38-39

Dear Jesus, As I consider your mission I sometimes get too caught up in things that are not that important.  I worry about and think too much about the methods and the means.  I think too much about how we will do our work.  I think too much about the way we will carry out our work.  And while I realize that those things are important, they are not the most important thing.  That’s the gospel!  Your gospel is your divine power that brings salvation to souls.  The gospel is your power that brings people from darkness to light, from blindness to sight, from death to life.  On top of this, there are times when I grow discouraged because it doesn’t seem to be working.  The gospel doesn’t seem to be doing anything.  At moments like these, help me to remember that your mission is unstoppable.  Even when I cannot see the advance of your kingdom, help me to remember that your mission is unstoppable.  Your kingdom will not fail.  Your gospel will not stop.  Help me to remember this.  Amen.

Do all you can with the time you have, with the energy you have, and with the wisdom that the Spirit gives to get the gospel to as many people as you can.  Do it with reckless abandon.  Do it with absolute trust that this mission is unstoppable! 

Wednesday, September 27th

“Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”  Acts 5:11

Dear Jesus, I am so foolish sometimes.  I work so hard to protect my image and my reputation.  I work so hard to pad my stats and to make myself look better than I really am.  It’s so hypocritical, I know.  I am so foolish!  I try to justify myself and make myself look on my own.  Help me to learn the lesson that those young men learned as they carried out the dead bodies of Ananias and Sapphira.  Help me to grasp by faith that I am already wholly pure and holy.  I already shine like the sun before you.  You have given me your righteous life as my life.  You have given me a crown of glory and a robe of righteousness.  Help me to rejoice in this robe and this reputation every day and to live my life knowing who I am in you.  Amen.

Nothing shines more brightly than the reputation that is yours in Christ.  You have his righteousness as your robe.  You have his works on your resume.  You have his glory on your head.  You already shine like the sun! 

Tuesday, September 26th

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will treasure my word.  My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not treasure my words.  These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.  ‘All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’”  John 14:23-27

Dear Jesus, I now know just how common and natural it is for me to want to see you in order to believe.  Your disciples asked the same question.  Your answer is so helpful.  You and the Father want to be experienced through the word you share.  You want that word to bring peace that comes from all the promises you make there.  You want that word to bring reconciliation between us.  You want that word to be what I treasure.  Jesus, I do treasure your words; your words about grace, your words about hope, your words about life.  When I think about your words, there is a warm glow in my heart.  It reminds me of when those two disciples had their hearts burning within them when they walked with you while you explained the Scriptures to them.  I see you in your word and like Abraham, I believe your word over my circumstances.  (In regard to the promise of the conception of a child to come.)  I have peace in my heart that everything in my life will ultimately turn out for good.  So, give me the strength today to lead my heart to peace instead of following as it traipses through all its anxieties.  Amen.

If you want to know God personally, learn to treasure his word intimately.

Monday, September 25th

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.  For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”  Acts 4:33-35

Dear Jesus, I am so selfish.  I read these sections in Acts about how the church shared everything and how no one claimed that everything belonged to everybody and I struggle to relate.  More and more I realize that I’m all about making sure to protect my interest and what is mine.  Forgive me, dear Jesus.  Forgive me and give me power by your Spirit to think and to live more selflessly.  Father, your grace and your love for me is so selfless.  You held nothing back.  You didn’t even keep your own Son as your own.  You gave him up for  me (for us all) so that together with your Son you might give us all things  Through prayer you have put yourself at our disposal; you open up heaven to hear us and promise to do good things for us.  Make me more and more like you today.  Raise up in me a selfless spirit that shares and gives and loves in the same way that you share and give and love me.  Make me more like you.  Amen.

Saturday, September 23rd

“They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  Acts 4:28-30

Sovereign and Mighty Lord, I often forget how mighty, how wise, and how sovereign you are.  I see things spinning in this world and I forget that you are the one who controls the way that this world spins.  I see trouble and hardship and chaos and pain and I become afraid and anxious and worried.  I see all of this happening and I forget that you are sovereign over it all.  Help me remember your sovereignty today.  This day and the moments that will happen in this day are surely under your sovereign might and your gracious care.  You do what you do because you love me.  You send what you send because you care about me and others in this world.  You allow what you allow because you want to refine us and our faith like silver.  You are truly sovereign and mighty over all things.  Give me courage and boldness to step into this day with my head up and my shoulders back because you are my King and you are King over my life.  Open my mouth to speak up courageously and confidently about you to this world.  Enable me to speak your Word with great boldness.  Amen.

It helps to see this world and our lives through the lens of his sovereign might and power.  It gives us courage and boldness to face this day.  It gives us boldness to speak up about our God who has ordered all things that we and all people might be saved. 

Friday, September 22nd

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  John 14:1-4

Dear Jesus, I have always been a homebody and whenever we change homes it’s always a little unsettling.  Likewise, when I had to leave my parents’ home or my children left our home, it was lonely for me.  A painful reality we all live with is that none of us has an enduring home anywhere on earth.  In vain we do our best to make a place our home, but we all know it won’t last forever.  That’s a big reason this passage gives me so much peace and hope.  You made me to want a home and you are making me that permanent home in heaven.  I look forward to that home where I will be together with you and the Father along with my parents, my children and everyone else who clings to you in faith.  Thank you for giving me this beautiful thought to dwell on while I try to live in this temporary life in temporary places.  Amen.

Home is where God’s heart is.  Make it where your heart leans and you will feel its glow. 

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!