Wednesday, July 10th

“Better a day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in the tents of the wicked.”  Psalm 84:10

O God, There is no place I would rather be.  The way of the wicked may seem good in the moment, but that’s all the longer that the pleasure lasts.  The way of the wicked may seem good during this life, but that’s all the longer that their path might flourish.  It won’t last.  In fact, you make it clear that the wicked and unbelieving will perish forever.  But with you-that’s where I want to be.  You shield me with your power and protection, shielding me from the fiery darts of the Evil One and even directing all the evil intents of other people for my good and the good of your church.  You daily pour out your blessings on me giving me all that I need, even giving me Jesus and the full forgiveness of all my sin.  You give me the victory over all things through baptism, through faith in the resurrection of your Son.  I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me that much.  O God, it is so good to be with you.  I’ll open the door to your house any day.  Just let me be near you.  Amen.

Tuesday, July 9th

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.  And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.  That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”  Matthew 12:43-45

Dear Jesus, You love to live in our hearts through your word.  You know that we cannot survive spiritually against the band of demons roaming the earth if we are depend on our moral strength to keep our hearts clean.  We need you there with your purging grace and restoring truth.  Stay in my heart through your Holy Spirit and give me your power to keep our hearts clean.  We need you there with your purging grace and restoring truth.  Stay in my heart through your Holy Spirit and give me your power to keep my life safe from all the destructive influence of the devils’ lies.  Give me your keen spiritual discernment to tell the difference between good and evil.  Make your love the driving force for all my thoughts.  Amen.

Let Jesus answer the door when the devil comes knocking on your heart. 

Monday, July 8th

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.  Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’  He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’  Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers.  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”  Matthew 12:46-50

Dear Jesus, They thought you were crazy.  That’s why they came to get you.  My family has thought I was crazy too at times, although, it was probably for different reasons.  Your answer makes me realize that faith is thicker than blood.  I feel closer to people who believe in you and want to follow your word than I do to my own kinfolks who live reckless lives.  I feel closer to people who love you and aren’t afraid to say it than I do to people and friends who love money more than anything else.  It’s no wonder, because not everyone has been born again by your Holy Spirit.  Help me to find comfort in the believers with whom I share life, especially when I feel far from relatives.  Also, help me to unconditionally love those I don’t feel close to.  They need to see you work through me and for them, even though we are different.  Amen.

When God adopts you into his family he gives you lots of siblings. 

Saturday, July 6th

“Lord, you have been our refuge in every generation.  Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.”  Psalm 90:1-2

Lord God, The most permanent things here only prove to be temporary.  Permanent markers wash away after a week.  Tattoos fade over time.  Even the most stable governments crumble over time.  Nothing lasts.  No one is truly permanent.  Except you.  Before everything was, you were.  After this world ends, you will still be.  You are the one lasting, permanent and eternal constant.  Teach me-though I am but dust and a mist that is here then vanishes-to hide myself in you and find my security in you.  You are my lasting, eternal and permanent refuge for all my days and beyond.  Amen.

Friday, July 5th

“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.’  He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!  But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.  The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.”  Matthew 12:38-45

Dear Jesus, Your death and resurrection out of perfect love for my soul is enough for me.  Far be it from me to ever demand a sign ‘greater’ than that.  There is none.  I know you are the perfect God, because you are honest with me about my need, but at the same time you fill it.  I cannot understand how you could be dead and then come back to life.  But more than that, I cannot understand how you have given up your life for mine, sinner that I am.  I believe it with all my heart.  It gives me peace and joy.  Thanks for making my life worth so much.  Amen.

Don’t let any criticism touch your value.  Jesus has established your worth for you. 

Thursday, July 4th

Dear Lord, We pray not out of pride as we implore you to bless our nation.  We pray not for increased riches or superior military might.  We beg you to give our nation a humble spirit that acknowledges you are the one from whom all blessings flow.  We count our blessings of the past.  We thank you for giving them to this generation through the efforts of those who have walked before us.  We ask that you enable us to pass on such gifts to the next generation of Americans.  Your people value liberty, Savior God, because they have come to know freedom from the tyranny of sin, death, and the devil.  Keep us forever free.  We pray in the name of the one who gave up everything that we might have everything we need.  Lord God, please keep blessing America.  Amen.

Wednesday, July 3rd

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”  Psalm 73:23

Lord God, You are good and gracious all the time.  But sometimes it is hard to see it.  Almost everything in this world seems to be turned upside down.  Much in my life seems to be out of control.  But God, you take me by the hand and lead me along in these uncharted and dangerous waters.  There is nowhere along the way where your grace will not guide me, where your power will not protect me, or where you are not working all things for my good.  You, O God, go before me; you are behind me; you walk by my side.  So, Lord, take my hand and lead me along life’s way.  Direct, protect and lead me, day by day.  Without your hand, O Savior, I go astray.  So take my hand and lead me!  Amen.

Tuesday, July 2nd

“Be gracious to me, God, according to your unfailing love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.”  Psalm 51:1

Lord God, Don’t treat me like I deserve.  I am not as good as I think I am.  Please don’t treat me like I deserve.  Instead, keep leading me back to you that I might find grace and mercy at your cross.  Amen.

In mercy, God doesn’t give us what we truly deserve.  Instead, he intervenes through people.  He intervenes through his Word.  He intervenes by his Spirit to lead us back to him. 

Monday, July 1st

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”  Matthew 12:30-32

Dear Jesus, Your words make me shudder.  I wonder if I have committed the unpardonable sin.  Then I remember that you are talking about a continual rejection of your Holy Spirit and his word.  The fear I have of sinning against him is your desired effect.  I do believe that I am a lost sinner without you.  I do accept you as my Lord and Savior.  I realize now that this is the mark of responding correctly to the Holy Spirit’s greatest work, creating and sustaining faith.  Now, since I am at peace with you, come and help me today to speak in ways that honor you and show love for others, to help those who are needing it and to be joyful in hope.  I am gathered with you on your team.  Help me to wear the uniform with pride.  Amen.

If you are afraid of committing the unpardonable sin, you haven’t. 

Saturday, June 29th

“So I gaze on you in the sanctuary, to see your strength and your glory.”  Psalm 63:2

Lord God, You are the shade at my right hand who shelters me from the hot, beating sun.  It will not harm me during the day; and the moon won’t harm me by night.  You are my sentry who stands guard day and night watching over me so that nothing and no one will harm me.  You do not slumber or sleep.  You never fall asleep while on duty.  Jesus, you are my salvation and my righteousness.  Father, you are my Creator and the giver of every good and perfect gift.  You have been and are working all things together for good.  Shield and guide me today!  Be my oasis and a place of refuge for me all day, no matter what it brings.  Amen.

In his sanctuary, there in his presence, you will find rest and relief from all the stresses that come with the day.  There you will find help with all the burdens that are laid on your shoulders.  There you will find an oasis in the desert drear.

Friday, June 28th

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”  Psalm 50:15

Lord God, Teach me to pray first and act second.  I’m so quick to go to work and get to solving.  My first reaction is action.  But that puts me in the “god” position.  And that isn’t my role.  You are my God and I love you.  You are my Savior and you promise to rescue me.  Teach me to pray first and act second.  Amen.

Thursday, June 27th

“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place.  A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.  He warned them not to tell others about him.  This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.’”  Matthew 12:15-21

Dear Jesus, Your disciple, Matthew, helps us understand what you were doing by withdrawing from the synagogue where they wanted to kill you.  Droves and Jews and Gentiles followed you as you healed their diseases and showed them your grace for sinners.  You were staying on point to bring grace to troubled sinners instead of breaking them off or snuffing them out.  You were rescuing more people while you were avoiding getting caught too soon in the murderous plots of your enemies.  You were being the totally awesome Savior even in sticky situations.  I know you are still that totally awesome Savior in my sticky situations today.  Help me to focus on blessing others even while I deal with menacing, tenacious problems that won’t seem to let me go.  I want to live on point for you all the time through thick and thin.  Amen.

Don’t try to figure out if it’s a good time to proclaim Christ.  It’s always a good time to proclaim Christ. 

Wednesday, June 26th

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”  Psalm 46:1-3

Lord God, Help me to keep my eyes on you.  I think about all the things in my life that cause me to tremble and make me afraid.  The storms.  The threats of people.  The fear of troubles.  The terror of sickness.  The enemies abroad seem to make their way our direction.  The sicknesses.  Trouble and hardship.  All kinds of things make me afraid.  But you are bigger and stronger than all of these things.  Help me to keep my eyes on you and to remember how big and strong you are so that I do not become afraid no matter what.  Protect me and hide me in your arms.  There I am always safe no matter what.  Amen.

Tuesday, June 25th

Why am I depressed?  Why this turmoil within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior, and my God.”  Psalm 42:5

Lord God, I am so tempted to become discouraged and depressed as I look inwardly at the circumstances and conditions of my life.  Things aren’t going the way I thought they would.  They aren’t happening as quickly as I want them to.  Sometimes even when I am in a room full of people, I feel like I am on this journey and on this mission all by myself.  Turn me away from my inward thoughts and inward focus and toward you and your grace.  Help me see your plan and find hope in your promise.  You will not let me down.  You have a plan and a purpose for me; that plan is always good and your purpose for me is always the same-bring you glory!  Lord God, turn me toward yourself once again today that I might serve you with joy, with gladness, and with great, great hope.  Amen.

Monday, June 24th

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

My heart overflows with gratitude.  On this national day of Thanksgiving, I am especially mindful of all that you provide me with-“clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own.”  Yet none of that would mean anything to me without the greatest gift of all, salvation through Jesus Christ.  May my gratitude overflow in deeds of love for you and others.  Amen.

Saturday, June 22nd

“Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ He said to them, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’  He said to them, ‘If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?  How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!  Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’  Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’  So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.  But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”  Matthew 12:9-14

Dear Jesus, The Jewish leaders had just confronted you out of envy.  They overlooked your mercy.  They refused to recognize you as their Savior too.  You could have and should have walked the other way.  But you didn’t.  You went straight into their synagogue and relentlessly loved them and other people in front of them.  You healed that man’s hand without any work.  You reminded them that they would do the same if they were not beset by jealousy.  You kept on loving and you knew full well it was setting up your death.  They began to plot how to kill you.  I’m blown away by such bold love.  I want to have that love too.  I know I’m not the famous healer meeting resistance because of envy, but I have resistance to my ministry to others at times.  I’m prone to give up way too early.  Help me not do that.  Make me love beyond the limits set by the hard hearted sinners I’m trying to love.  Make me forgiving and giving toward them in your name and for your glory.  Amen.

Learn not to care if people criticize you for how much you care for them and you will live an impactful life. 

Friday, June 21st

“Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”  Psalm 32:2

Lord God, I’m careful to guard my reputation in front of other people.  I let them see what I want them to see.  I let them know what I want them to know.  I work really hard to put my mouth and my life run through filters so they see the best possible version of me.  Foolishly, I do the same thing in front of you.  I try to pretend to live a life I don’t really live.  I try to hide from you the struggles of my heart.  I try to hide from you the deception and the lies of my life.  I filter my life before you too.  Help me to see that confession is a safe place for me to go.  Help me see that your cross, O Jesus, is a safe place to be real and honest and transparent.  I can bring me just as I am.  And there, there you change me.  There you cleanse me and send me away as a new person.  Help me be honest with you.  And then, change me through your blood.  Amen.

We come to Jesus just as we are, but he never leaves us that way. 

Thursday, June 20th

“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath.  His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look!  Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’   He answered, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?  He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread-which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.  Or haven’t you read of the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?  I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.  If you have known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’, you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’”  Matthew 12:1-8

Dear Jesus, You and your heavenly Father created the Sabbath for people to find rest in you.  You never intended for it to prevent people from getting what they needed to sustain body and life.  In the same way you have blessed the rhythm of regular worship at local churches to sustain the souls of people.  You never intended that church attendance would be the measure of true righteousness.  Help me to see in the way you enlightened the Pharisees about their dead formalism, an insight for my own superficial judgements.  Give me a deeper understanding of how your statement regarding mercy, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” informs my thinking about everything done around my church.  Make all of us a grace filled, grace producing, grace relieving people.  Amen.

If you do not understand grace, you will never understand how to speak to people for God. 

Wednesday, June 19th

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.  ‘All things have been committed to me by my Father.  No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’”  Matthew 11:25-27

Dear Jesus, I love it that you have made the gospel so simple that every human being can grasp it.  You love us so much that you forgave us all.  You paid the debt that we owe.  You promise blessing in this life, the Holy Spirit to help us grow and heaven forever in body and soul.  People don’t have to be smart or special to receive this.  Thank you for choosing to reveal your truth to a plain sinner like me.  I love you for it.  I will seek to love you today by the way I live.  Amen.

God did not create the gospel for smart or good people alone.  He created it for all people. 

Tuesday, June 18th

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”  Psalm 18:19

Lord God, When I stop to think and remember how completely you kept God’s commands for me, it amazes me.  When I stop to think and remember how fully you obeyed your Father’s will for me, I am overwhelmed.  I so often live with this unspoken and hidden pressure to perform.  It’s a burden that hangs over my head and presses down on my shoulders.  Yet this truth is so freeing.  You kept God’s commands for me.  You obeyed the Father’s will for me.  There is nothing left for me to do.  It’s all been done for me.  There are only things that I get to do.  Help me, then dear Jesus, run all out in the path of your commands for you have truly set my heart free.  Amen.

So, what are you waiting for?  Open it up today and live freely in the complete salvation won for you by the obedience of Jesus.