Monday, December 4th

“There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them.  And so we came to Rome.  The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us.  At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.”  Acts 28:14-15

Lord Jesus, I often underestimate the importance and the power of my Christian community.  I often like to go it alone, bear the weight alone, pray the prayers alone, and fight the struggle alone.  I do not want to be a burden to other people.  I do not want to appear weak or vulnerable.  I do not want to be transparent about my life.  But, Father, when you created Adam and Eve, you helped us to see how vital the community of faith is to each of us.  You did not make us to walk through life in isolation, but rather to walk through life with other Christians.  Help me to lean on my fellow Christians and to find joy in the communion of the saints.  More than that, Father, make a friend, a son/daughter of encouragement to my Christian family.  In this way, I will lift up the body of Christ and bring it strength that comes from you alone.  Amen.

So, whose eyes will you brighten today?  Go and befriend a fellow Christian.  You are a sight to their sore eyes.

Saturday, December 2nd

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.  Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:10-13

Dear Heavenly Father, If I know that I’m right where you want me, then I can be content.  If I find joy in my present situation it is extra nice for me.  But if I find joy in your promises in spite of my circumstances, that too is a great place to be.  Either way, as long as I know I’m where you want me to be, I can live in it with faith, hope and joy.  I know you will send friends like the Philippians were for Paul.  So, even in bad times someone will rise up to be a surprise blessing.  Thank you for teaching me this secret of contentment.  I can do all circumstances through Christ, your Son who gives me spiritual strength.  Amen.

Contentment is knowing God has you where he wants you in all circumstances. 

Friday, December 1st

 “After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: ‘Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.  Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul.  You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So, keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.  Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.’”  Acts 27:21-26

Lord God, Help me to trust you more.  When troubles and trials and trauma comes, help me to trust you more deeply and more fully.  I am quick to shake.  I am quick to react.  I am quick to try to problem solve.  I am quick to act.  Help me to trust you more before I do anything.  Teach me to trust in you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  I am quick to trust my own thinking, my own acting, my own doing.  Teach me to trust you.  Teach me to pray first and act second.  Prayer is more powerful than I know because in prayer I am calling you to act, calling you to fulfill your promises, calling you to help.  Your working is far more valuable than mine, so, Father, teach me to trust your working and to call on you in every trouble, to pray to you, to praise you and to give thanks.  Lord, as I learn to trust you and to hold your promises, make me calm, cool and collected because you, Lord, are Lord of all.  Amen.

We are learning to trust God.  And this brings calm to us in the storm.  Whenever we ponder the promises of God our hearts rest in his promises and our lives rest in his hand. 

Thursday, November 30th

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:8-9

Dear Heavenly Father, Now I understand why you told us that a day is like a thousand years to you.  It’s because you don’t keep track of our sins.  It’s because you live in the moment constantly focusing on each of us humans in love, and waiting for one more to come back to you.  You are keeping score so the wait doesn’t seem so long to you.  Teach me to live in the moment of grace like you do, so I don’t carry the burden of remembering the failures of others nor do I make them carry them either.  Help me to live in the peace of not keeping track.  Amen.

God designed grace to help us live in the peace of relationships made clean from the clutter of guilt, shame, and blame.

Wednesday, November 29th

“’I am not insane, most excellent Festus,’ Paul replied. ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable.’”  Acts 26:25

Lord God, Heavenly Father, Your Word is true.  Your Word is reasonable.  Your Word saves.  Yet, sometimes I do not handle it or share it or even believe it as the inspired, true and reasonable word that it is.  I sometimes share it timidly.  I sometimes share it apologetically.  I sometimes share it with apprehension.  Fill my heart, O God, with confidence in your Word.  Help me to share it boldly and confidently.  It is your Word and it will not frail to accomplish the purpose for which you sent it.  It is your Word and it is true.  It is reasonable.  It saves.  Fill my heart with absolute confidence in the power of your Word so that I share it boldly and unashamedly.  Amen.

“The Word of God is like a lion.  You don’t have to defend a lion.  All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”  Charles Spurgeon

Tuesday, November 28th

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way which they call a sect.  I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”  Acts 24:14-16

Lord Jesus, As you set the example of the apostle Paul before in the book of Acts you are teaching me so much about the life that you have given me to live as your child.  Today, you show me that there is no “off” switch to our lives as your followers.  Paul never shut it off.  He was always vigilant to live a life that honored you.  He was always seizing every opportunity to tell people about you.  Help me to do the same.  I get tired and want to turn it off.  I am worn and sometimes I just want to put y head down and get through the day.  Give me strength from your Spirit to always live for you and to always look for opportunities to talk about you.  You are my Savior!  Give me your Spirit so that I might always live for you in any and every situation.  Help me to work hard for you today.  Amen.

As God’s children, we have been called out of darkness into God’s bright light.  We have been raised from spiritual death and we will be also raised from physical death.  We have a God who raises the dead and we follow the One who was raised from the dead.  Today, stay on mission all day long.  Stay on point all the time. 

Monday, November 27th

“After spending eight or ten days with them.  Festus went down to Caesarea.  The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.  When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him.  They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.  Then Paul made his defense: ‘I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.’”  Acts 25:6-8

Dear Savior, It often hurts me so deeply when other people push back against me and challenge my thinking or my ideas.  It take it personally and feel the need to defend myself in their courtroom.  It also hurts me deeply when I realize how deeply and greatly I have sinned and failed you and others.  My own failures break my heart.  I know my sin and it is always before me.  Lord Jesus, show me that I live after the courtroom.  All of my sins were cancelled and removed there.  I have left your courtroom with your divine acquittal on my life and my Father’s ringing approval for me.  Help me to live today with the confidence that court has already been adjourned.  You treasure me greatly and are pleased with me.  Help me to lift my head high and to respond to challenges and judgements knowing what your verdict of me already is.  Help me to listen and learn.  Help me to live confident of your divine judgment over me-I am forgiven and set free.  Amen.

The gospel of Jesus gives us God’s divine judgment and verdict on our lives before we even do a thing.  In the gospel we get the verdict before the performance. 

Saturday, November 25th

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5

Dear Jesus, Everything I own is in a constant state of decay.  Things get scratched, break, and become dirty.  Relationships struggle and ultimately stop when one dies.  Even the garden is blighted with grasshoppers, worms, and other insects, eating away at their precious leaves.  I cannot seem to keep any earthly inheritance very long.  But while I live with earthly disappointment, I still hold this one treasure that no bug or bill can take away; I have salvation from this earthly life.  By grace, my soul will live on forever and my body will rise up brand new.  I have hope in your promise even when nothing but your word remains for me to cling to.  It’s the one hope that will not let me down.  In that hope alone, I am rich.  Amen.

Jesus and the gift he brings us is the only non-disappointing blessing you will ever receive. 

Friday, November 24th

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children.’  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”  Genesis 50:19-21

Dear Heavenly Father, It’s one of the most impressive stories of grace and forgiveness this world has ever seen.  What’s more fascinating is that Joseph rose up to forgive and maintain grace toward his disappointing family long before your Son hung on the cross and cried out, ‘Father forgive them.’  Joseph embraced your promised plan to redeem his disappointing life and make it serve a much higher purpose.  He refused to play God and make a judgement on his situation.  He recognized your intervening hand in all times, good and bad.  He trusted your motives to work everything, even the worst things for a good and divine purpose.  Oh God, give me the faith of Joseph so I heal from all my disappointments.  Amen.

Our lives are but a paragraph in a chapter of an epic story of redemption for the entirety of humanity.  They make no sense apart from that insight. 

Thursday, November 23rd

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”  Psalm 100   

Lord of Life, It is our duty to give you thanks.  We acknowledge our dependence on you as the source of all good things:

  For your grace and goodness, we give you thanks.

  For your Word that gives life and your works that sustain our life, we give you thanks.

  For faithful friends and the love of family who lighten our earthly journey, we give you thanks.

  For the joy of young children and the honor of old age, we give you thanks.

Free us today from all complaint.  Fill our hearts with contentment in every circumstance.  Keep us always as your people as we walk through life with thanksgiving.  Amen.     

Wednesday, November 22nd

“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’”  Acts 23:11

Father, Your will is perfect.  Your will is good.  Your will is saving.  Your will is necessary.  There is no getting around it.  Yet, sometimes I am afraid of screwing it up by making a bad decision.  Sometimes I am concerned that evil will win the day and somehow overthrow the work that you have done.  I am afraid that I will be too frail and too weak and too incompetent to carry out the work you have given me to do.  Father, let your will be done on earth just as it also takes place in heaven.  Do not sin overcome me so that I fall into sin and walk away from your will.  Do not let evil prevail.  The devil is constantly at war with your will.  He is constantly on the attack to destroy what you desire.  Get him behind you, God!  Get him out of the way in my life and in your plans.  Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Lord God, carry out your good purposes today and every day just as you have laid it out ahead of time.  Amen.

Take courage!  This is what God must carry out his purpose in and through our lives.  It is a divine necessity. 

Tuesday, November 21st

“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul!  Saul!  Why do you persecute me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.  My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.  ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.  ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus.  There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’”                Acts 22:6-10

Lord God, My life is no accident.  The way it has been arranged is not haphazard.  The people in it are there purposefully.  The roles given to me in it are given to me by you.  Even particular moments were arranged by you so that I might seize that moment and rise up in it for you.  Yet, I often shrink back.  I look back at my life and I can see how I failed and particular moments of my life to seize it for you and to step into the purpose you ordained for me.  Forgive me for this.  I know, Father, that even where I fail, you do not fail.  Your purposes always prevail.  I pray, use me today and help me to boldly step into the purpose you have given me.  Let your will in my life happen on earth in the same way that your will happens in heaven.  Give me eyes to see the purpose you have appointed for me life.  Give me courage to step into that purpose for your glory.  My life is no accident.  My callings in life are on purpose and they are purpose filled.  Help me to step into the life you have given me.  I was ordained for this!  Amen.

Rise up today and meet this day with the confidence that comes because you were made for this.  You were appointed for this.  You were designated for this before you were even born.  Step into this moment.  You were made for this. 

Monday, November 20th

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7[KoAW1] 

Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be immune from the edginess coming from the stress of thinking I have to carry the world on my own shoulders.  You have worked out so many situations for my blessing, even when they looked like terrible dead ends from where I sat.  And your promises to keep working out my life for good, hold me up when I forget.  I find joy in your grace, it leads me to be gentle and to pray instead of push, fight, manipulate and gripe to get my way.  I have experienced your peace that passes understanding that comes when I really turn my problems over to you in trusting prayer.  Please help me to pray the way you ask me to, so I can experience your peace more and more as I sojourn here in my pilgrim land.  Amen.

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that leads a heart back to the Creator that made it. 

 [KoAW1]

Saturday, November 18th

“Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.  The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.  All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”  Philippians 4:21-23

Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving us such a great example in the Apostle Paul of someone who did his best to help Christians stay connected to each other.  Life can be such a lonely road.  But redeemed people realize that grace is the super glue holding us together.  Help me do my part to keep Christians connected to each other by sharing greetings and by letting them know what’s going on in each other’s lives.  Also, help my Christian friends to take up the cause of maintaining connections.  Give us your supernatural power to forgive and to refuse to abandon one another in our pilgrimage through the barren hills of earth.  Amen.

The best medicine for loneliness is to reach out to bless someone else who is alone.

Friday, November 17th

“As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, ‘May I say something to you?’  ‘Do you speak Greek?’ he replied.  ‘Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?’  Paul answered, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.  Please let me speak to the people.’  After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd.  When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic…’”  Acts 21:37-40

Lord, Help us!  The world needs us to tell them about Jesus and they don’t even know it.  This world is growing more and more opposed and even hostile to the gospel message.  Lord, help us!  Help your church, yes, help me, to fully embrace the cross that is my salvation and the cross that comes along with following you.  Help me love people so deeply that I will endure much so that I can share the gospel with them.  Lord, help your church-help me-to rise up and bring the message of Jesus to this hurting and broken world.  You have given us the one message that can truly bring healing and help to this world.  You have put that message in my heart to heal me.  Put that message on my lips so that I share it.  Lord, help us!  Amen.

Following Jesus means embracing the cross.  It means embracing the gospel of Jesus to such an extent that we will endure all things rather than fall away from it.  It means denying ourselves, saying “no” to the things that we want, the things that are comfortable, and following after Jesus.  It means proclaiming Jesus to those who may not want to hear it.  It means never being ashamed of Jesus even at risk to our lives.  Following Jesus means embracing the cross.

Thursday, November 16th

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.  Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the church of God, which he ought with his own blood.  I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard!  Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”  Acts 20:24, 31-38

Lord God, It is my job.  I know it now more than ever.  I have often thought to myself that telling people about Jesus was someone else’s job.  I have often thought to myself that warning people about sin was someone else’s job.  I have not always taken personal responsibility for bringing the truth of God to people.  But God, you continue to teach me that it is my job and my responsibility.  It is my job to care about the souls in my family and to do all that I can to keep them close to you.  It is my job to care about the souls in my church and to do all that I can to care about them and to keep them close to you.  It is my job to care about the souls of all people whose lives intersect with mine.  It is my job to do all that I can to bring them to heaven with me.  I pray, Lord Jesus, help me first.  Keep watch over me, Savior.  Do not let me stray from your truth or wander from your fold.  Do not let me be deceived by the Deceiver.  But instead, ground me in your truth and give me a foundation from your Word so that I stay close to you.  And then, grounded firmly on grace, let me go out and carry out my joyful responsibility to all people to give them same foundation.  Amen.

As Christians and as human beings we have a responsibility and a purpose from our God to do all that we can with the time that we have to bring as many people to heaven with us as possible. 

Wednesday, November 15th

“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.  But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.  So Paul left them.  He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.  This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”  Acts 19:8-10

Lord Jesus, Today is a day full of so many different gospel opportunities, so many different opportunity to tell people about my God.  So, Spirit come, and put strength in my every stride and open my eyes to see the opportunities that you put in front of me today.  My problem is, Spirit, that I get so focused on my responsibilities and the things that I have to get done today, that I put on blinders and almost ignore the people that I am rubbing shoulders with (six feet away, of course).  I am focused on my to-dos and ignore the people that you put in my path.  Forgive me, I pray, and open my eyes to see the opportunities, the gospel opportunities that you give me each day.  This is a day for me to proclaim Jesus.  This is a day for me to share the message about Jesus in many different circumstances to many different people.  Open my eyes, Spirit, so that I can see and seize the moments that you place in my path.  Amen.

We can’t go into a synagogue to preach or teach.  We don’t have a lecture hall where we have a podium at which we can speak.  But we are walking on paths and interacting with people in different circles.  How will you seize that moment to share Jesus?  “Make the most of every opportunity.” 

Tuesday, November 14th

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8-9

Dear Jesus, What great permission your Apostle gives us to take a vacation from dwelling on the negative even if it’s a reality.  Paul certainly could have been down in the dumps after all he had been through on top of what he was enduring at the moment.  But he didn’t dwell on the negatives.  So, he leads us to follow his example and learn the secret of contentment, which is finding the positives and celebrating them even in the most negative situation.  Give me this spiritual positive mental attitude.  I want to live in the blessings of every moment you grant me.  Help me to model this kind of spiritual optimism to my family and friends too.  Amen.

Being a positive person is a spiritual possibility for every human being.  No one is left out on this one. 

Monday, November 13th

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’  So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.’”  Acts 18:9-11

Dear Father, Thank you for my friends, my Christian friends.  Like is tireless and exhausting.  Sometimes it feels like I am a hamster on a hamster wheel.  My emotions are raw.  My strengths grows thin.  I’m exhausted and those are on the easy days.  Then days come where there is opposition in my life-at home, at work, on these days, I need my friends.  Thank you for sending just the friends whom I need and just the right time.  Thank you for sending me friends who will tell me when I am off base and need to repent.  Thank you for sending me friends who will comfort me when I am broke and desperately need forgiveness.  Thank you for surround with friends who are praying for me, who just listen to me, who strengthen me, and help me out of the dust.  Dear Father, thank you for the friends whom you send to serve and support me.  I need them and, more than that, I need the word from you that they bring.  Amen.

Take a moment to thank God for the Christian friends who puts in your life to hold you up.

Saturday, November 11th

O God, as we mark the day ending WWI, our thoughts of thanksgiving must rise to you.  Over the following years and the many battlefields, you watched as Americans risked, and sometimes lost, their lives.  We thank you for providing those defenders of our freedoms.  Now inspire us to boldly declare that you have been our help in ages past and our only hope for years to come.  This we pray in the name of Jesus, who died that we might live.  Amen.