There are a million things to do before Christmas, sometimes we even start in September preparing. There are gifts to buy, travel plans to make, meals to plan and let’s not forget worship services to attend. Yet what so easily gets lost is that we need to take time to PREPARE ourselves too. With everything going on we don’t always take the time to make sure we are preparing our hearts to meet Jesus. The primary way we prepare to meet Jesus is through repentance. Repentance is more than just feeling bad about the things we do wrong. Repentance is turning away from our sin. Yes, that means we feel bad about the things that we do wrong, but it also means resolving to not repeat our mistakes. The other part of repentance is turning to God to forgiveness. Our hearts are prepared to meet Jesus when we recognize our sins, all the foolish things we have done, and trust in Jesus to forgive us. The hymn writer said it so beautifully, “Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin and furnished for a guest within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.” (CW93 #16)
Tuesday, December 12th
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel.” Daniel 1:8-9
Dear Lord, I come to you today with a broken and repentant heart. And, I know that you do not despise a contrite heart. I confess to you my sins of _______. I come to you in repentance and I know that you will not cast me out or despise me because of my sin. Forgive me for my sins of ______. Cleanse me of my sin. Wash away all that I have done wrong. Forgive me, Lord. Forgive it all! And then raise up in me fruits of my repentance. Show me the way I should live and act today for you. Give me clear resolutions for my life and then give me courage and strength to follow up my resolutions with definitive actions. Help me to stand up for what is right in the face of pressure to be silent in this world. Keep me from being conformed to this world and its values. Help me to stand up and shine in this world. Amen.
Repentance + Forgiveness à Resolution + Action. Repentance and forgiveness leads to resolution and action. God, lead us to it as we serve him in this world.
Monday, December 11th
“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24
Dear Jesus, Give me that selfless attitude that you gave Paul that I would spend my life for the spiritual and physical welfare of your people whom you redeemed with your life. Make me find purpose that cannot be lost because it springs from my faith in you which lives in my heart despite all circumstances. I want to live my life to the full for you and your people. Amen.
If you live for Jesus’ people you’ll never be bored wondering what you can find to do.
Saturday, December 16th
“Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his --friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:17-18
Lord God, Heavenly Father, You sit in heaven and you do whatever pleases you. All kingdoms and powers and thrones are beneath you. You hold all wisdom and power and might and knowledge in your hand. I pray, be merciful to me on this day. Do not give me what my sins deserve; rather give me grace and kindness because of your Son, Jesus. This day is surely more than I can handle. The decisions and the responsibilities are more than I can handle. My own sinful nature will be at war with me all day long. I pray, pour out mercy on me. Do for me what I cannot do for myself. Give me a strength that I do not have in my bones. Give me a wisdom which does not reside between my ears. Give me words that are not mine, but are yours. Lord God, I will not make it through this day or carry out my responsibilities this day with you. I am absolutely and wholly dependent on your mercy. Pour it out on me this day. Amen.
God does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his great power that is at work within him.
Saturday, December 9th
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20
Dear Jesus, There is not one more wonderful than you in my whole life. You made me, watched me fall, and then came and rescued me. You rose from the dead to show me my glorious triumph too. You changed my perspective on everything happening in my mundane days. They all find their value as part of the great future you purchased for me. I believe everything I just said but I don’t always act like it. Too often, I get all worked up about lesser things. I’m sorry. Thank you for covering my sins from distraction with your grace. Help me live in the peace that won for me and to use the strength it gives to serve others. Amen.
Reconciled to God. There’s no better identity.
Friday, December 8th
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people-the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel.” Colossians 1:3-5
Dear Heavenly Father, I have faith because I learned about your love me in the gospel since infancy. My parents and my home church taught me about your unconditional love for my little sinner’s soul. That message has given me hope for an eternal rescue during all of my life. It has accompanied me at the most difficult times. Since I trust I have a great inheritance waiting for me in heaven, I’m not caught up in the “dog-eat-dog” world of anxious pursuits. I’m free to love people boldly and to give generously for their benefit. You freed me from that worldly, boring, dead-end life, right from the start. Oh how thankful I feel for te truth of the gospel of your Son. Keep me in the center of his love all day today. Amen.
Christ is enough to make our lives complete.
Thursday, December 7th
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ-with all boldness and without hindrance!” Acts 28:30-31
Lord Jesus, You have given me faith in you and have joined me to yourself. You have also invited me and called me and even sent me out into this world with the gospel that saves people. I am often afraid. I am often distracted by life. I am often not paying attention to the gospel opportunities that you give me every day. Forgive me, dear Jesus. I pray, make me attentive to the gospel opportunities that you give me. Make me bold to speak up when the opportunities arise. More than that, I pray, press forward with your gospel through me and through your whole church on earth. Let nothing hinder the gospel preaching whether by me or be others. Bring peace and calm to our country for the sake of quiet lives and, more so, for the sake of the gospel. Father, you desire that every soul in this world would be yours for all eternity. I pray, continue to march forward through your church to bring more souls along to heaven. You have invited me to join you on this mission. I want to come. Help me to follow where you lead and to share the gospel with all boldness and without hindrance. Amen.
By faith, you, dear Christian, are a part of the gospel movement. God will not stop on his mission to save the world through the message about Jesus. Now, he invites you to come along. It will be a wild ride. But when we’re going along with him, we can’t fail. Join him, won’t you?
Wednesday, December 6th
Advent is really a Latin word, advenio, which mean to approach or draw near. During this season we reflect upon the coming of Jesus. We see him come to us first at Christmas, but we also know that he is coming again on the last day. Advent then looks at Jesus coming from those two perspectives reminding us to prepare our hearts for his coming to our world at Christmas and for his coming on Judgement Day.
One of the ways we prepare our hearts is through the decorations that we put up. They are more than just beautiful to look at, they also carry a message. For example, the banner that now hangs on the (from your perspective) left side of the chancel (the chancel is the front part of the church) has four candles on it, representing the four candles of the Advent wreath and therefore the four weeks of the Advent season. Each candle has a different word printed on it. The first word is WATCH. During the season of Advent we watch for the coming of Jesus. We know when we are going to celebrate Jesus coming; December 25th of course! It is on our calendar, but it wasn’t on the shepherd’s calendar. They were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. They were surprised to hear from the angels that the savior had been born to them, because they were keeping watch for his coming. We keep watch for Jesus glorious return not by staying awake forever or going up some mountain and staring at the sky. We keep watch for Jesus by listening to his word and using the sacraments. Through word and sacrament the Holy Spirit keeps our faith strong, faith that is constantly watching for Jesus return.
Wednesday, December 6th
“The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah; Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.” Daniel 1:5-7
Lord, This world wants to change me. The devil wants to pressure me to give up my identity as a child of God and to lose myself in this world so that I lose my eternity with you. In both blatant and more subtle ways, I am pressured to lose my identity in this world. Help me and keep me from this, dear Savior. Make and keep me vigilant so that I am always aware of the Devil’s schemes. Make me strong and courageous so that I stand up for what is right in the face of the pressure to give in to what is wrong. Root me ever more deeply in my identity as your child and an heir of eternity. When I stray, help me to see it and then to run back to you as quickly as I can. Receive me, then, dear Father with arms of your forgiveness and cover me with the blood of Jesus. I am yours. Keep me from straying and keep me as yours for all eternity. Amen.
The time may come (perhaps it already has) when you will look back at your life and see how far you have wandered from following after Christ. That time may come and you will be ashamed. You gave into the pressure and lost your identity in this world. In that moment, run back to Christ. It isn’t too late. He will receive you with open arms to forgive and receive and restore. He always does and always will do that. He will always receive you back with open arms. You are still his forgiven and redeemed brother. You are still a dearly loved child of the Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, December 5th
“Give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:12
Dear Heavenly Father, I remember how excited I was when I knew I first qualified for a house loan. That qualification was dependent on the declaration of the underwriter at the bank. I had to let go and let him/her decide. How much more with my eternal rescue. I was totally dependent on you to “qualify” me to be a saint in your family and an heir of heaven. You held all the cards and had many reasons to disqualify me. But you didn’t. Instead you lavished me with grace and forgiveness. I get to live in a heavenly home on the same street as your Son who paid for my qualification. I will live today as a thankful child. Amen.
Never stop being joyfully surprised that God included you of all people into his family.
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.