Friday, November 10th

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’  As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”  Acts 17:26-28

Lord Jesus, I like to control things.  I like to orchestrate things in my life and people in my life in certain ways to achieve certain things.  I like to take care of myself.  I like to manage my money and my time and my plans.  I like to be in control.  I’m starting to realize that I even want to try to control you sometimes.  It isn’t a malicious thought, Father.  But, in my prayers I realize that I try to turn you and even bargain with you to get what I want.  But that’s not the kind of God you are.  You are not a God who is manipulated or turned by my ideas, my whims; nor do you need anything from me.  Help me to realize how deeply it is that I need you.  You do not need me, but I have always needed you and will continue to need you for the rest of my days.  I have needed you for the simple things like life and breathe.  I do not live and move by my own powers.  I live and breathe and move only in you.  The same is much more true of faith.  I believe because you have called my name.  I believe and follow you because you have taken my sins away.  I am yours and have a purpose in my life because you have given that purpose to me.  My life is not my own.  I was bought at a price.  Help me to realize that only in you do I live and move and have my being.  Lord, take my life and let it be consecrated to you.  Amen.

We are absolutely dependent on God and thankfully so! 

Thursday, November 9th

“I plead with Eudoia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”  Philippians 4:2-3

Dear Jesus, You led Paul to call out two women in a letter to the whole congregation and their names go down in history for all time as two people who struggled to get along.  But I look closely at what Paul wrapped his words with.  He said that they had contended at his side for the gospel, that they were co-workers and that their names were written in the book of life.  The fact remains, although I struggle like them to get along with everyone, my name is still written in heaven by grace.  I am a sinner saved by grace.  I can live with the humbling reality that I am not perfect at getting along.  But I can strive to get along with others in your church, because you call me to it.  Give me the perseverance to keep striving with Christian loved ones.  Make the peace you won for us the power between us to live together in peace.  Help us fight the insidious desire to live a selfish life instead of fighting with each other.  Amen.

Two people can stink up a whole batch of people or permeate them with the smell of Christ. 

Wednesday, November 8th

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”  Acts 17:11

Lord Jesus, I do get tired.  I do feel a pressure and a burden and guilt and shame about my life.  I feel like I should be working harder.  I feel like I should be spending more time in your word and praying more and prayer more fervently.  I feel like I should be more active in my mission work, that I’m letting you down because I’m not more active in it.  I’m tired because of it.  Lord Jesus, I do want to work for you, but, first, convince my heart that you are not disappointed in me and that I have not let you down.  I am fully acceptable in your sight and you smile on me because of Jesus.  Jesus, you have earned for me full forgiveness for all my sins and complete righteousness for my failures to do what you have given me to do.  Help me to know this in my heart.  Let this truth overflow that there are not more checklists in my life to be checked; you have checked them all.  Then, let this overflow into my life so you are my motivation and souls are my mission.  Help me to serve you more gladly and speak of you more boldly.  Amen.

Now we get to dive into God’s Word and have a daily conversation with him through prayer.  We get to go out into this world with the gospel of Jesus on lips and on our feet wherever we go.  There’s no pressure.  Just opportunities to share Jesus and to be with him in his Word. 

Tuesday, November 7th

“Our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”  Philippians 3:20-21

Dear Jesus, What comforting passages these are!  Especially after a long night wrestling with pains in my body.  You did not just redeem my soul.  But you also redeemed this body of mine.  It gives me great hope to thing that although I will ultimately fail at preserving my body, yet you will raise it up glorious body to live forever someday.  The thought relieves me of the stress of worrying about my health.  I can settle in to taking care of myself best I can and leaving the rest to you.  I can use what little extra energy I have to serve others I your name instead of dwelling on myself.  I am free to live and love because of your redemption of the body too.  Thank you for putting my thoughts about my body in proper perspective.  Amen.

Aging with grace has much more to do with attitude and peace than with looks. 

Monday, November 6th

“The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-he and his whole household.”  Acts 16:34

Lord Jesus, I want to be different.  My heart is a mess.  It feels things that it shouldn’t feel.  It wants things it shouldn’t want.  My life is a wreck, full of sin in more ways that I can remember or recount.  I want to be different.  I want to serve you with more joy.  I want to serve you with my whole heart.  I want to feel and react differently to the circumstances of my life.  I want to be different.  You redeemed me for yourself and I want to be more like you.  Let your gospel wash over me today like a river. True transformation is the work of the gospel in your heart.  Help me to know the truth that sets me free and the forgiveness that removes my sin.  Help me to meditate on your deep, deep love for me and all that you have secured and given me.  Send your Holy Spirit to make me new.  My transformation is not a project I can even begin to complete.  Do it for me, dear Spirit, that I may serve you with great joy and confidence.  Transform me into the likeness of Christ that I may serve and follow you in all things.  Amen.

True transformation is the work of the gospel in your heart.  True transformation is what the Spirit does as he changes you from the inside out.  He will do this work in you.  You are his masterpiece, created for good works that he sets in front of you.  Get out there and serve him today. 

Saturday, November 4th

“As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.  So the churches were strengthened I the faith and grew daily in numbers.”  Acts 16:4-5

Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of the church.  You have drawn all Christians into this one body.  You have established us on the firm foundation of your Word.  We are one just as you and the Father are one.  Yet, I know that the Devil is hard at work to tear us apart.  If he cannot distort your teaching, he would tear us apart and break us into factions.  He would tear us apart through disagreements about things that don’t really matter.  And then, when he breaks the church through politics and not because of teachings, he destroys our credibility with the unbelieving world.  If he can tear us apart, he can ruin our gospel preaching.  Jesus, help me.  I know for my part I hold certain ideas and opinions that are just that, personal opinions and ideas.  They neither are commanded by your Word nor are forbidden by it.  They are aligned with what your Word says.  Yet, they are still my ideas and opinions.  Keep me, I pray, from making these non-essential ideas so important that I would divide the church because of it.  Do not let the Devil tear us apart.  Do what you must in me and in your church to keep us united.  Help me to remember how you have made the church ONE.  Work in me so that I am willing to die to my ideas and opinions to maintain the unity of the spirit in your church.  Keep your church united in truth, bound by love, and flexible in methods, the non-essential things, so that we can reach as many people as possible.  Amen.

Remember what we share.  We share faith in a Savior.  We share unity in a body in which the Holy Spirit dwells.  We share the truth of God as the foundation for our faith.  We hold God’s truth as a light for our path and a lamp for our way.  There are no hills for us to die on.  God help us as we maintain the unity of the Spirit and keep the bond of peace. 

Friday, November 3rd

“(James spoke up), ‘It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.’”  Acts 15:19

Dear Jesus, This is my simple prayer.  As I follow you in my life, help me to cling to you and to your blood alone as my salvation.  Your blood is the only thing that saves me.  Help me to find and develop spiritual disciplines that will help me to stay close to you.  Keep me from imposing my spiritual disciplines on other Christians or from burdening their consciences with things that have been helpful to me.  Keep me from making my spiritual disciplines the thing that I trust instead of you.  Yes, throughout my life, dearest Savior, help me to cling to you and to alone.  There is no checklist for me to complete.  You have done it all for me.  Thank you.  Amen.

Dear Christian, there is no checklist given to you when you become a Christian.  There is no list of things for you to do each day, week, or month.  Simply cling to Christ and his blood alone as your salvation.  He is your only salvation.  Then, live your life as one who has been called out of this world into his kingdom.  Live as one who is different from the world.  Simply put, this is what it means to be a Christian. 

Thursday, November 2nd

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.  I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.  And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.”  Philippians 2:19-24

Dear Jesus, I love the example you gave us in Paul, so willing to share his closest friends with others.  I find an inertia in my being that wants to hang on to friends and the attention they bring.  I can easily get jealous and resent the time they spend with others.  It’s hard to admit but it’s true.  I repent of such self-centeredness.  Give me the kind heart that Paul had so I learn to share people with people that need them more than me.  Help me to look for ways to encourage others network for the benefit of all.  Make me a benevolent member of the community of faith and of this world.  Amen.

Sharing people is one of the most powerful acts of kindness we can do. 

Wednesday, November 1st

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.  Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”  Acts 14:21-22

Lord God, Your gospel is the only thing that saves.  Your gospel is the only thing that converts.  Your gospel is the only thing that turns people from unbelief to faith.  We must preach it.  It is the only thing that will turn a hardened opponent into a passionate follower.  Yet it is hard and scary to go into what can be a hostile environment to share the gospel.  Fear makes my heart shake.  Anxiety makes my feet stand still.  But, God, you have called me to go.  You have given me your Spirit so that I will speak up with your gospel.  Overcome my fear and overwhelm my timid spirit with your Holy Spirit.  Give me a spirit of boldness and of love so that in any situation and in every circumstances.  I am bold to speak your Word.  Your gospel has saved me.  It has the power to save those in darkness who have the deepest opposition to you.  Lord, help me to roar like a lion with your gospel, never backing down, but lovingly, courageously and boldly going with the gospel, speaking for you even in the face of the harshest opposition.  Amen.

Lord, help me to roar like a lion with your gospel, never backing down but lovingly, courageously and boldly going with the gospel, speaking for you even in the face of the harshest opposition. 

Tuesday, October 31st

Lord God, I praise you for making me a partaker of the blessings of the Reformation.  Without any merit or worthiness on my part, you sent your Holy Spirit into my heart and brought me to faith in your dear son, Jesus Christ.  You made it known to me the worthlessness of my own good deeds and the perfect merit of Christ.  You have directed my faith away from the commandments of men and caused me to rest my hope only on the great and precious promises of your Gospel.  You have revealed the beauty of your grace, which rescued me from a just condemnation and assured me of certain salvation in Christ.  Grant me your grace that I may receive your forgiveness with thanksgiving and reflect your mercy in thanks-living.  Use me as your witness in bringing the message of pardon in Christ to my neighbors everywhere.  Amen.

Monday, October 30th

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Philippians 2:1-4

Dear Jesus, I hear how softly you, “Shhh” my complaints by reminding me that everything I have from you is the big “Why” for every way I’m called to serve joyfully.  It’s so easy to think that my joy should come from my circumstance.  I’m tempted to be joyful serving only when it is received with praise and gratitude, only when I see the results of the effort, only when I like what I get to do.  But you lead me to a joy that comes from knowing that I am letting you sacrifice and save the planet through me.  I sense when others have this same inner joy and it draws me to them as closest friends.  Give me this joy, dear Jesus.  I want the joy of serving from a heart full of selflessness and tenderness.  Amen.

Selflessness leaves one full and not empty. 

Saturday, October 28th

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”           Philippians 1:29-30

Dear Jesus, It’s a strange insight; you have granted to me the privilege of suffering for you.  It seems counter-intuitive.  But when I think of what you suffered here so I could be saved, I willingly accept my path even if it leads me to suffer for your name.  When I do experience any set-back for being a Christian, help me to be respectful and full of forgiveness for those who slight me, so they are confronted with the same love you used to overwhelm me.  Amen.

Christ suffered for us when he was here.  Now he suffers in me while I’m here. 

Friday, October 27th

“When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”  Acts 13:12

Lord Jesus, There is nothing quite like your Word.  Yet, I am not always amazed at it.  Sometimes I find it ordinary, regular, sometimes even boring.  Sometimes I find it uninteresting and am not moved to get into it.  I know that’s the devil making me bored with something so life-changing.  I know that’s my own nature which doesn’t grasp or understand or appreciate what your Word always says.  Forgive me for my attitude toward your Word and raise up in me a spirit that loves, appreciates and treasures your Word.  Make the teachings I have so often heard before new in my heart and mind.  Make the things I have learned before come alive for me so that I have a new and deeper understanding of your word.  Open the eyes of my heart so that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of my inheritance among the saints, and your mighty power at work for those who believe.  There is nothing quite like your Word.  Help me to treasure it daily and to feed on it deeply.  Amen.

There is nothing quite like the teaching about Jesus.  To it there is no beginning or end, no bottom or top.  When we hear God’s Word and the true teaching about our Lord, it completely knocks our socks off.  That is that the Holy Spirit brings to the Word.  He makes the spoken word carry more weight than a miracle. 

Thursday, October 26th

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”  Acts 13:48-49

Lord God, Dear Savior Jesus, You are good to me beyond measure.  You are gracious to me and I don’t deserve it.  You keep bringing to my heart and mind the good news of sins forgiven and a spotless record in your sight.  I too quickly forget these precious truths and carry the guilt of my sins on my shoulders.  I too quickly forget about the perfect record I already possess and pursue a record of my own making.  I too quickly forget this simple message.  Help me to know in the depths of my heart and throughout every moment of this day that I am free from sin and I have fully been made right with you.  Let this truth remove the weight of guilt from my heart and the pressure to perform from my life.  Set me free from sin and guilt so that I might run in the path of your commands.  You, Lord have set my heart free!  Amen.

Your Savior, dear brother and sisters of Jesus, has removed the weight and the guilt of your sin.  Every spot of sin has been removed from your heart and life.  You have been given a perfect record and a resume that stands out in God’s presence.  It is given to you as a gift!  The weight of your sin and guilt is gone.  You are fully embraced as God’s own. 

Wednesday, October 25th

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.  Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’”  Acts 12:5, 12-14

Dear Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.  This is why I pray.  This is why I call on you.  I do believe that you are good and merciful.  I do believe that you are powerful and mighty.  I do believe that you have wisdom beyond knowing and knowledge as wide as the ocean.  I do believe that you only have good in mind for me and for those whom I love.  I do believe in you.  That is why I pray.  I do believe, help my unbelief.  I pray with uncertainty, with a lack of conviction, with a lack of faith.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you can.  Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you want to.  Help me to pray with absolute conviction that you can and want to do what is the very best.  Help me to believe that you can and that you will when I call on you.  At the same time, help me to believe that your will is always best.  Lord, I do believe.  Help me to pray with confidence, with openness, with trust, and with a faith that fully trusts you to do what you have promised.  Amen.

Our Father does not determine his answer to our prayers because of the sincerity of our prayers.  Our Father does not decide to answer our prayers because of how much we trust and believe in him while we pray.  Our Father answers our prayers simply because of his mercy.  Our Father answers our prayers because of his deep love for you.  Our Father hears and answers us because of his Son, Jesus.  This is why he hears.  This is why he answers.  And this is why we will keep on praying. 

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.