Tuesday, October 24th

“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’  Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.  Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify god.  Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” John 21:17-19

Dear Jesus, How patiently you reinstated Peter to his life’s purpose of apostleship.  You wouldn’t guilt shame or the attractions of fishing get him off mission.  When I hear you talking to him, I think about my own life.  I do love you and all you do for me.  I want others to know you too.  Help me live on mission too.  Keep me from getting lost in my own goals or guilt so much that I miss opportunities to share your word with people.  Help me to fulfill your mission for my life instead of creating my own mission and asking you to bless it.  I ask all this to your glory so that the world may know you through their dealings with me.  Amen.

Only one life to live and soon it will pass.  Only one life to live and only what is done for Christ will last. 

Monday, October 23rd

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb.  He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.  The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.  He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)      John 20:6-9

Dear Jesus, How graciously and lovingly you condescended to give your first followers what they needed to believe that you had risen from the dead.  What they witnessed coupled with your prophetic word rose up to give them a foundation for faith that saved their eternal souls.  It does the same for me.  Because they witnessed your resurrection and reminded us of the Old Testament promises, I believe that you have saved me and all people from the terrors of death and hell.  I’m going to survive these troubles in my life and live on forever because you rose from the dead.  Help me to proclaim your rescue to the people I know who are still living as if this world with all its fatalities is all there is.  Give me the courage and creativity to give them your hope that has become my hope.  Amen.

Christians live in an eternal morning filled with hope of a new day. 

Saturday, October 21st

“Later Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.  Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.  With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.  He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.  Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.  Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.  This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.  At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.  Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”        John 19:38-42

Dear Jesus, At first you borrowed a manger.  Then you borrowed a house.  After that, you borrowed a boat from which to preach.  You borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem and then an upper room to have your Lord’s Supper.  At last you even borrowed a grave.  You own everything and yet you borrowed it all from people to whom you had lent it.  All this you borrowed so that I might borrow your righteousness.  Thank you for borrowing so I might live in peace and hope all my days.  Give me the same kind of abandonment that loves people instead of things and makes their restoration the goal of my interactions with them.  And accept my offerings for you just as you did Joseph’s and Nicodemus’ as the proclamation of my faith that you the greatest thing that ever happened to this planet.  Amen.

He borrowed everything that we might borrow his righteousness. 

Friday, October 20th

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, but put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  John 19:28-30

Dear Jesus, Your bucket list was to live and die for all of us.  You had no ambitions to exploit this temporal world for your own entertainment.  You were 100% committed to finishing your life without succumbing to one temptation no matter how hard it was or how good the temptation looked.  You wanted only to fulfill Scripture so we could find you for ages on the pages of your word.  You wanted to settle the score for every human that would ever live.  You wanted to save the world!  And so, what a triumphant cry it was for you to say, “It is finished!”  I on the other hand will die with regrets about unfinished projects, un-repaired relationships, unfulfilled dreams and wasted moments that I can never get back.  I find great peace in knowing that your finished life envelopes my incomplete sojourn.  Thank you for giving me the freedom to live my life for others without grieving too much over my losses.  Amen.

Jesus died without regret so we’d have a place to hide ours!

Thursday, October 19th

“So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”  Acts 11:17

Lord God, forgive me.  I have treated fellow Christians and new Christians as second class.  I have said that they have the full rights of every Christian, but I have treated them otherwise.  I have not fully embraced them.  I have expected them to become more like me.  It should have been me who became more like them.  Forgive me.  I have kept them at arms distance.  I have looked sideways at them.  I have thought negatively of them.  Forgive me.  Help me to embrace souls with the very same love with which you have embraced me.  You have removed my sin and given me the full rights of sonship.  You have fully embraced me as one of yours.  Help me by your Spirit to fully embrace all into your family without reservation, with open hearts and open arms.  Amen.

As the Holy Spirit adds new people to the fold of the holy Christian church, what will we do to fully embrace these new members?  What will we give up?  O what will we hold tightly?  What are willing to lose so that the body of Christ wins?  This is the question that the Jerusalem council sought to answer.  It is one that we too must seek to answer. 

Wednesday, October 18th

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’” Acts 10:34-35

Father, Help me to see your hand in my life and not to make decisions about how you care about me because of how things are going in my life.  Your Father’s heart is always smiling on me and my life even when trouble and discipline come.  In fact, help me to see that discipline means that you truly do love me.  If there was no discipline, then I would have to conclude that you don’t care about me like a father.  Help me to know and to rejoice in this truth, that you have appointed a purpose and a calling for my life, that you have given me gifts that you want me to use.  And you have done the same for others, but it may not look the same.  I’m sorry Father.  Sometimes I get jealous of the lives that other people have or the gifts that others have.  I want to be more like them and less like me.  In my jealousy I am complaining about the work that you have done.  Forgive me, dear Jesus.  Help me to rejoice in the way you have loved me.  Help me also to rejoice in the way that you have loved others.  And then, make my heart like yours, so that as I go out into the world I do not show any sort of favoritism, but treat people with the same love that you have for them.  Amen.

The circumstances in each of our lives will be different, but the same God is ruling it all and loving us with his Father’s heart.  With him there is no favoritism. 

Tuesday, October 17th

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you.  So get up and go downstairs.  Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’”  Acts 10:19-20

Dear Holy Spirit, I see what you are doing in your church.  You are helping your church, starting with Peter, to see the world with new eyes.  The Jews viewed people with certain prejudices and opinions.  They viewed people and even things as clean or unclean.  But Jesus removed that designation and declared all people and things clean.  Your church needed to learn that then.  We need to learn that now.  Dear Spirit, where I am aware of internal opinions that I have about other people, reshape my opinions of people.  Help me to see them a new point perspective, yours!  Help me to see them a new point perspective, yours!  Where I am unaware of my feelings toward people, make me aware of those feelings so that I may love them with your love.  Dear Spirit-give me your eyes, give me your heart, give me your words.  I want to love people with the same heart that you have.  Create in me a new heart and I will spread your truth, the only truth that there is, to every person whom I meet.  Amen.

God-give us your eyes and your heart for all people no matter our differences may be!

Monday, October 16th

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.  Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”  Acts 9:31

Dear Jesus, sometimes I’m worried about how the church will fare.  I’m worried about how the church as an institution may be struggling right now.  I’m worried about how the people of the church may be struggling and languishing at a time when we are unable to gather together.  I’m wondering how the gospel will reach people when conversations between people is discouraged in person.  I’m worried about the church and the mission, but I shouldn’t be.  God, your track record throughout history is impeccable.  You have always surprised the church with the way that you are working.  You have always done unexpected things.  Your mission presses forward even in the most desperate, oppressive times.  Teach me to trust you and to wait and see what you’re going to do next.  In addition, keep pouring out your Spirit on your people and on your church that we might seize this moment for your glory and for the spread of the Gospel.  Help and strengthen your church, O God.  Amen.

Enjoy this moment, dear church.  It is a great time to be alive, a great time to be a part of God’s holy church. 

Saturday, October 14th

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”  Acts 9:4

Jesus, Sometimes I forget what a big deal sin is to you.  I forget how offensive, how odious, how personal sin is to you.  No matter what the sin is you take it personally.  No matter how I have sinned against other people, you take it as a personal attack against your person when I sin.  Forgive me, Jesus.  Forgive me not just for the sins I have committed, but the way I have personally sinned against you in my sins against others.  Forgive me for the way I have wounded your heart and come after you in my sin.  Forgive me.  And teach me to follow you in fuller, zealous ways.  Teach me to chase your mission and to pursue it with all my might.  Teach me to zealous in keeping your commands.  Teach me to bend over backwards for those around me that they might be saved and that they might know you.  Teach me to follow you to bear the cross wherever you lead.  Amen.

For Jesus this is personal.  He will do what he must to call out of sin and into the new life of a Christ-follower.

Saturday, October 14th

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Acts 9:18-20

Lord Jesus, When you called me to the faith everything changed for me.  Holy Spirit, when you entered my heart everything changed for me.  You cast out my sin.  You made my heart a place where you would dwell.  In that instant you changed me completely and 180 degrees.  Come to me today, Holy Spirit, and be my ally in my struggle against sin.  I have all kinds of emotions and thoughts and words and actions welling up in my spirit that war against me.  I have not power of my own, so come to me Holy Spirit and be my closest ally in my struggle and war against sin.  Come to me, today, Holy Spirit, and be my closest friend to encourage, to build me up, and to empower me to go out and live a new life.  Come to my side and encourage me to live for you with all that I am and all that I have.  I am not who I used to be.  I am 180 degrees different.  Help me walk in the footsteps of my Savior Jesus.  Amen.

You are not who you used to be.  You are someone new, brand new, and 180 degrees different.  The Holy Spirit did this without your asking, without your choosing, even without your earning.  But aren’t you glad that he did!?!  Now you have an ally against sin.  Now you have an encourager in your life as you live for him. 

Friday, October 13th

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”  Acts 9:4

Jesus, Sometimes I forget what a big deal sin is to you.  I forget how offensive, how odious, how personal sin is to you.  No matter what the sin is you take it personally.  No matter how I have sinned against other people, you take it as a personal attack against your person when I sin.  Forgive me, Jesus.  Forgive me not just for the sins I have committed, but the way I have personally sinned against you in my sins against others.  Forgive me for the way I have wounded your heart and come after you in my sin.  Forgive me.  And teach me to follow you in fuller, zealous ways.  Teach me to chase your mission and to pursue it with all my might.  Teach me to zealous in keeping your commands.  Teach me to bend over backwards for those around me that they might be saved and that they might know you.  Teach me to follow you to bear the cross wherever you lead.  Amen.

For Jesus this is personal.  He will do what he must to call out of sin and into the new life of a Christ-follower.

Thursday, October 12th

The Jewish leaders insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’  When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.  ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.  ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said.  ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’  Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.  Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’”  John 19:7-11

Dear Jesus, Oh how precisely you penetrated Pilate’s heart.  In his angst over being manipulated by the Jews to act against his conscience he vented on you that he had power to release or execute you.  He was scrambling to be respected by someone, anyone, even his victim.  But what he needed was to be looking for the power to do the right thing.  But alas, sinner that he was a failure (like me).  You pointed out the lie he believed that he had autonomous authority.  You reminded him that he had a responsibility to God for how he ruled.  Then you helped him see that there was a difference between Caiaphas and him.  Pilate was guilty of sin, but not the sin of hate, envy and murder.  He was guilty of mitigating justice for personal preservation.  Pilate wanted to release you, Jesus, and said he had the authority to do it.  But he didn’t have the selfless guts to do it.  Caiaphas was on a rampage of hate and paranoia.  Pilate was just being a selfish coward.  Both were damming sins but they were not the same.  You wanted Pilate to know that you knew his sin better than he did.  You came to redeem him from his sin but you were not like the devil, pointing it out bring him down.  You were pointing it out to rescue him from it through grace, a grace you were paying for with your willing suffering at Pilate’s own hands, even at this moment the blood was dripping off your brow and back.  Oh, the depths of the riches of your grace.  Pilate didn’t listen to your confrontational invitation to believe in you.  But I am listening.  I know you know my sins better than I do.  I know you don’t blame me for other’s sins.  You confront me about mine so I will turn myself in for grace.  Here I am.  Wash me in your love.  Amen.

All true spirituality revolves around honesty about ourselves and honesty about Jesus. 

Wednesday, October 11th

“’You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.  Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king.  In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’  ‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate.  With this he went out.”  John 18:37-38

Dear Jesus, How faithfully you tried to tug Pilate into the fire of your love and truth.  And how quickly he rebuffed you.  You came to give him the truth that would save him.  He cast your invitation aside with a denial of all truth.  Don’t allow me to be so dismissive with you.  Help me by your Holy Spirit to listen to your word with an interested heart.  Make me a truth seeker today and every day.  And give me the truth of your mercy to cover my life which is in desperate need of grace.  Amen.

The truth about Christ and us is as dependable as gravity. 

Tuesday, October 10th

“When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”   Acts 8:15-17

Lord Jesus, This is a lesson I must continue to learn my whole life long.  I continue to see people as better than I am, that they are more advanced in their Christianity, and that I am separated from them because of how they have grown in their walk of faith.  I also continue to see people as those who have a long way to go and, in pride, I look down on them.  In my heart I do make distinctions between people in the way that I view them and, sometimes, even in the way that I treat them.  Oh, dear Jesus, forgive me.  You have not viewed nor treated me the way that I view or treat others.  You have poured out on me the same mercy, the same forgiveness, the same gifts, and the same citizenship, that you pour out on all your children.  You have given me gifts that make us all the same.  Now, Jesus, I pray.  Give me your Holy Spirit to transform my eyes and my heart so that I see people the way that you see people.  Give me your Spirit to transform me so that I joyfully rejoice in this body that you have gathered together into your body, the church.  Amen.

We are all the same no matter who we are, where we are, when we are.  That’s the beauty of the body of Christ.  There is unity within our diversity.  We are all the same, in need of mercy.  We are all the same, in receipt of mercy.  We are all the same, in our citizenship in God’s kingdom.  We are all the same, in the gifts that we receive from our God.  We are all the same, with one mission to go to all the world.

Monday, October 9th

“One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, ‘Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?’  Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”  John 18:26-27

Dear Jesus, How patiently and lovingly you gave Peter the rooster as a lifetime reminder that he needed your grace!  You would always forgive him for his sin.  But he needed a tether to bring him back day after day.  So, every evening and morning when he would hear the rooster crow, he would remember his sin and his need for grace.  The rooster also reminded him that your grace was his.  It was the perfect ministry of salvation for his soul too oft to wander.  You have placed some things in my life that I experience through the five senses that remind me of your word and grace every day too.  They create small quiet moments of reflection between you and me that no one else shares.  They remind me of my failures and of your mercy.  They drive me to feed on the table of your grace.  And when the moment of reflection is over, I’m left comforted and content in your arms.  Thank you for the “roosters” in my life.  Amen.

God loves every sinner too much to let them wander without roosters to call them back to his Son. 

Saturday, October 7th

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’  ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.  ‘I am he,’ Jesus said.  (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”  John 18:4-6

Dear Jesus, How perfectly you laid out the stage for your persecutors to come to faith later.  They would look back on the day they thought they had control to kill you and feel so guilty for their deliberate sin.  Then Satan would come and whisper, “You could never be forgiven.  Your sin was too deliberate, too treacherous.”  But then they would remember how you threw them to the ground by turning yourself in.  They would know that you had chosen to die for them too.  They would learn to trust your unconditional love.  I see that you laid the stage for my grace and faith too.  I’ve learned by watching you knock them to the ground, that you turned yourself in for my treacherous sins too.  I cannot believe the lie that my sin is too grievous to be forgiven.  Your willing sacrifice for grievous sinners covers all my sins, even the worst, even the latest.  Thank you for your overwhelming love.  Give me the power through faith in you to reflect this same love to those who would betray, ignore and persecute me.  Help me show them who you are by how I still love them even though they hurt me or let me down.  Amen.

Love that sees the sin coming and forgives in advance is the truest kind. 

Friday, October 6th

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’  When he had said this, he fell asleep.’”      Acts 7:55-56, 59-60

Dear Jesus, I see Stephen and his fire for the gospel here and I’m put to shame.  I don’t have this fire in my heart like he does.  I am more of a shrinking violet when danger or threats come.  I do not always or often have the same fire in my soul.  I want that!  Lord Jesus, you have saved me from my fears and forgiven me for my “meh” approach to you and to sharing your Word.  Set my heart on fire today and more and more every day.  Let your gospel overflow from my heart because of how truly good you are to me.  Let your care and compassion be my care and compassion.  Let your zeal for the salvation of sinners be my zeal for sinners.  Set my heart on fire for the gospel and for people that I may use the time that you’ve given me for people!  Amen.

Let’s do all we can with the gospel as long as God gives us time.  Let’s do all we can for people as often as God gives us the opportunity.  Let’s be on fire for the gospel and for people as we live our lives. 

Thursday, October 5th

“You stiff-necked people!  Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.  You are just like your ancestors:  You always resist the Holy Spirit!  Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered him-you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”  Acts 7:51-53

Dear Savior, Use this sermon from Stephen to ground me in my faith and to give me a foundation in your Word.  Help me to listen to this sermon as if I were one of the Jewish accusers.  Help me to hear it and to receive it.  My human heart is no different from theirs and I have the same tendencies in my heart.  I get so caught up in the externals that I don’t hear or listen or obey.  I have a tendency to ignore, to push to the side, or to overlook your clear word.  Forgive me, dear Savior.  Help me to hear your Word and to keep it.  Your Word alone is my salvation.  Your truth alone is my hope.  Ground me in my faith so that I stand on your Word and am clothed in the blood of Jesus.  Amen.

Wednesday, October 4th

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come.  Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.  Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”       John 17:1-5

Dear Jesus, Everyone else thinks of power and control when they speak of authority over the whole earth.  But you speak of blessing and eternal life.  Your authority was earned by your complete and perfect sacrifice.  It is expressed in your complete and perfect rescue of my life.  I am safe forever because you came and took over the world to make it cooperate in your redemptive plan.  I am so thankful to know your Father and you.  You have made me your own and I am yours.  Help me to glorify your authority over all creation today by living a happy and peaceful life no matter what I must face.  Amen.

We all follow something bigger than ourselves.  It’s best to choose Jesus rather than lesser things. 

Tuesday, October 3rd

“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.  Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)-Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia-who began to argue with Stephen.  But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”  Acts 6:9-10

Dear Lord, Give me words and a heart like Stephen’s heart.  As I go out to do my vocational business, I find myself putting my Christianity in a box.  I worry about doing my job and leave my Christianity in a box on the shelf.  Keep me from this.  Help me to always remember that I come with your Word and your promises and your Spirit.  Help me to bring my Christianity with me wherever I go and into every vocation that you’ve given me.  Help me to share your message whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself.  Give me grace and power from your Holy Spirit to speak up about the things I have learned from your Word.  And then when I am confronted with those who want to shut me down with fear tactics and bullying (as the Jews did), give me courage that comes from God.  Keep me from making it personal in my response, but rather make me an apologist for you, for your name and with your Word.  Make me a defender of your truth with my life and in my words.  Amen.

Ours is the same work of Stephen.  He had vocational business to do.  He brought the Spirit’s wisdom and the Father’s word to that business.  We have vocational business to do.  With God’s help, we will bring the same wisdom and the same word to our vocational business.