Friday, August 2nd

“And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread.  And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’  They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘He said that because we did not bring any bread.’  But Jesus, aware of this, said, ‘You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?  Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?  Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up?  How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?  But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’  Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”  Matthew 16:5-12

Dear Jesus, How easily I let my earthly limitations capture my heart.  I worry about having enough money, about having the right opportunities, about getting the most success from my daily endeavors, when all the while you are concerned about the spiritual enlightenment of my soul and the safety of my heart in the pure gospel.  So, here I see you warning the disciples about the worldly teaching among religious leaders called Sadducees and Pharisees while the disciples are preoccupied with the food that they don’t have for the next few days.  You have my attention Jesus, I will be on guard against the Sadducees mind that denies the miraculous and supernatural and in liberality makes all things permissible as long as you can rationalize it away.  I will also watch out for the Pharisaic mind that focuses on outward behavior and dead formalism.  Instead, I will listen to you and your penetrating words that lead me to repent of selfishness and cling to grace and forgiveness for peace of mind each and every day.  I will concentrate on trusting in you for daily bread instead of my plans and successes.  I will focus on loving my neighbor instead of building my own nest.  I will rest at night knowing you will take care of the world while I sleep.  Amen.

Only the teaching where God is all in all, can suffice a human craving for truth. 

Thursday, August 1st

“He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’  ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said.  ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’  Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith!  Your request is granted.’  And her daughter was healed at the moment.”  Matthew 15:26-28

Dear Lord, Oh, how you tested that woman and how she saw beyond your words to your heart!  How you must have swelled with joy when she trusted that you had come for all people and especially her too.  She was so divested of herself that she was not easily offended by your test.  She trusted your grace and mercy over what you said.  Help me to tenaciously trust your grace and mercy over what you allow to happen in my life.  Make me have great faith in you.  I’m thinking of several topics in my life that stress me out.  Right now, I’m making each one a request like hers.  Lord, come and fix things, bless us and change everything for the better.  I care not whether you call me a little dog or a royal child.  You came for them all, so bless me in your mercy!  Amen.

Trust God no matter how you feel.  Your Creator promises not to abandon you. 

Wednesday, July 31st

“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee.  Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.  The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.  And they praised the God of Israel.  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”  His disciples answered, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?’  ‘How many loaves do you have?’  Jesus asked.  “Seven,’ they replied, ‘and a few small fish.’  He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.”  Matthew 15:29-34

Dear Jesus, You had already fed over 5,000 miraculously just a few weeks earlier.  Just that day you were healing people of anything and everything.  It’s amazing that the disciples stayed in the earthly paradigm void of your redeeming presence.  How much I am like them!  I live in blessings you have bestowed for me and even so, I will doubt and stress over other things.  I see that you have compassion enough to take care of all of us.  Help me to stop living by subjective experience and give me the faith to live simply by your word of promise to take care of my needs in your timing.  Help me let go of my doubts so I don’t waste precious energy on worry.  I need that strength to serve you and people anyway.  I will do the best with my seven loaves while expecting you to make them spread much further than I can ever imagine.  Amen.

You have God even when you have little.  That’s enough to live as free as the richest man on earth. 

Tuesday, July 30th

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead!  That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’  Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’  Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.  On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.  Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’  The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.  His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.  John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.  Then they went and told Jesus.”  Matthew 14:1-12

Dear Jesus, What treachery!  Your cousin was killed for telling the truth to a man for his own eternal good.  He was killed because that man was a coward.  He was killed because that immoral woman was a hater.  He was killed because he had to decrease while you increased.  It makes my head swim.  Both he and you are my example to speak the truth in love even if it angers people.  They have to know their sin and their need for you.  Help me find courage to stand up for your morals and your exclusive grace even though I live in a country where it’s a social sin to call anything but being mean, wrong.  Help me keep my head clear and heart willing to help lead lost souls toward you with peaceful but honest confrontation when it is appropriate.  Help us all Lord Jesus!  Amen. 

It’s not a bad thing to call a bad thing, bad. 

Monday, July 29th

“My soul, praise the LORD!  Lord, my God, you are very great; you are clothed with majesty and splendor.”  Psalm 104:1

Lord God, When I think about who you are I often think about how that relates to me.  I ask myself the question:  “How does his glory affect me?”  I ask, “How does his wisdom impact me?”  But it is a wholly other thing for me to walk into your presence and ponder your majesty as a thing unto itself as if I were walking into a massive cathedral and enjoying all the sights, all the sounds, all the majesty of that place.  Lord God, you are very great.  You wrap the clouds around yourself as a cloak.  The sun runs through the heavens like a runner running its race, declaring your greatness from sunup to sundown.  O God, your power and majesty truly is great.  Lead me to take it all in with awe and wonder that I might be amazed and in awe of who you are.  Amen.

Saturday, July 27th

“When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.  ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked.  ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?  Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  Aren’t all his sisters with us?  Where then did this man get all these things?’  And they took offense at him.  But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’  And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13:53-58

Dear Jesus, I have been that prophet who was not accepted in his hometown.  It’s no fun.  How it must have hurt your heart to be the Savior of all of your dearest loved ones and yet they found conventional ways to reject you.  I’m moved by your patience with them.  You knew that you’d send others that some of them would listen to.  You humbled yourself to wait on the Father’s plan to play out.  I’m learning from you to pray and trust that you will send others to reach the ones I love with your word if they do not listen to me because I’m their hometown boy.  Give me the grace to rejoice when they tell me what someone told them that helped them, even though I had told them the very same things for years.  I want to be humble enough to see your hand and not my own.  In the same way, crush my foolish pride that doesn’t want to receive the word from my family just because I know them well.  Make my heart an open book ready to receive your words.  Give me the ability to listen with my heart and not just my head.  Whenever you have made me pliable, I have experienced great insights that I needed for my life.  I look forward to more, even from my closest relatives.  Amen.

Truth is truth whether it comes from an ass or an angel.

Friday, July 26th

“My soul, praise the LORD, and all that is in me, praise his holy name.  My soul, praise the LORD and do not forget all his benefits.”  Psalm 103:1-2

Lord God, As a Christian, you’ve given me the task of leading other people to praise you.  You teach me to encourage others when they are down and discouraged.  You tell me to proclaim the good news to those who are hopeless and downcast.  But I fail to preach it to myself.  Physician, heal yourself-you say to me.  Mechanic, fix your own car, you want me to think.  The hope that you want me to give to others is first and foremost for me.  The encouragement that you want me to pass on to hold others up you give to me first to hold me up.  O God, you are so good.  Your benefits for me are far beyond what I can begin to imagine.  You forgive all my sins-all of them.  There is not one spot of sin left on my garments of righteousness.  And these garments are also a gift from you.  You heal my soul with this forgiveness.  You have an eternity of joys waiting for me at your right hand.  And beyond the eternal and spiritual gifts you give, you are also at work in my life in some amazing ways.  The way you care for my family.  The way you are at work among the people of our church.  The way you are using me to serve other people.  This is nothing but your hand at work.  Yes, it is good for me to praise you.  There are so many ways.  Help me to find my joy I you even while I share it with others.  Amen.

Thursday, July 25th

“He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’”  Matthew 13:52

Dear Jesus, With your Old and New Testaments, we all have “something old and something new” of which you speak.  Both are necessary and both lead to our salvation.  I have come to love them both with the same level of affection.  I see myself in the people featured there.  I hear your voice in the words in red.  I find friends in the prophets and apostles.  They all speak your word into my heart.  I’m saved and I’m not alone.  I have your over 50 writers to share life with me.  Help me live in your word with them and to never lose my way as I take your book as my guide before leaving earth.  Amen.

The word of Moses to John and everything in between make great friends on our pilgrim journey. 

Wednesday July 24th

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.  Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  This is how it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 13:47-50

Dear Jesus, Your parable about how the church gathers people from the world but that your angels will gather true Christians out of the church in the end, strikes fear in my inner being.  What if I am only a sham?  What if I say I believe but I really don’t?  What if they throw me away in the end and I miss out on eternal life?  Your words drive me to examine my own heart and life.  Is there anything of which I need to repent?  Do I really believe in you, your grace and your call to follow you in life?  I feel like the man in Mark 9.  “Lord, I do believe!  Help me with my unbelief!”  I am totally dependent on your mercy and grace.  I trust that your life was perfect enough to cover mine.  Your parable has cleansed me but your words of grace defend me.  I am yours and you are mine.  I look forward to being gathered to heaven and not cast away in the end.  In that peace I will swim the waters you have appointed for me.  Amen.

God sees the secret places of your heart.  When you see Jesus as he really is, you are seeing the secret places of God’s heart. 

Tuesday, July 23rd

“He made us, and we are his-his people, the sheep of his pasture.”  Psalm 100:3

Lord God, You made me and all that exists.  You gave me my body and souls, my eyes and ears and all my members, my mind, and all my abilities.  You gave me my wife and children and put all kinds of people in my life as gifts to me.  You gave me all that I own.  And not just that.  You redeemed me too, a lost and condemned creature.  You purchased and won me from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil.  You did this, Lord Jesus, with your holy and precious blood, with your innocent suffering and death.  You did this so that I would be your own and live under you in your kingdom and serve you now and for all eternity.  Oh God, how gracious you are!  Help me to live freely under you in your kingdom today.  Amen.

Monday, July 22nd

“The mighty King loves justice.  You have established fairness; you have administered justice and righteousness in Jacob.”  Psalm 99:4

Lord God, You are mighty and you are just.  You rule the nations with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.  You watch over all things and all people; you never slumber or sleep.  Why is it, then, that there seems to be so much injustice?  Why do you seem to hide yourself at some of the most unjust times?  Why do you even seem to be an enemy?  Sometimes, O God, I want to shake my fist at you because I don’t get how you can be silent at such a time as this.  Forgive me for thinking such things about you.  You love justice.  Whether you get it now or you get it later, justice will happen.  You rule all things fairly and without favoritism.  Keep on ruling the way you always have.  I may not always understand why you do what you do.  Sometimes I may not like it.  But God, your ways are always good and justice.  Teach me to trust you especially when I don’t understand.  Amen.

Saturday, July 20th

“He is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.”  Psalm 98:9

Lord God, I’ve only been to court a few times and only for some minor things.  But even so that was a nerve-wracking day.  I had done something wrong and there was going to be punishment.  There was no escaping it.  Your courtroom holds even greater fear.  There, in your presence everything will be laid bare because nothing is hidden from you.  To consider standing in front of you, sinner that I am, is terrifying to consider.  But I’m not afraid, Lord God.  Your Son has paid the debt I owed and for my sin was destroyed.  Within the Book of Life, I know that my name has now been written.  I will not doubt for I am free; Satan cannot threaten me.  There is no condemnation.  When the books are opened and all things are laid bare, there will be no sin written behind my name.  Your Son has claimed my sin as his own.  There are no sins on my record anymore.  And greater than that-behind my name all his works will be written.  I get credit for the perfect way that your Son, Jesus, lived his life.  Oh God, I am not afraid of that day when I will stand before you.  I will stand before you as a bride, holy and dressed in the righteousness.  I will stand in joy.  I will stand in confidence.  Help me to always look forward to that day in faith and not in fear.  Amen.

Friday, July 19th

“Declare his glory among the nations, his wonderful works among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3

Lord God, You are a great God, supreme among any power and authority both on this earth and in the spiritual arena.  There is none like you.  There is none who works like you.  And yet, as I listen to things that come out of my mouth and reflect on what I declare, it often isn’t about your greatness.  I say what I see as I look at the ruin we wreaked on creation.  I say what I see as I look at the sinful divisions among culture groups, and even in my own family.  I say what I see even as I look at myself.  I very clearly see all that is wrong with me, with others, and with the world.  And those are the things I declare.  But Lord God, you are a great God.  You are doing far more in this world than I give you credit for.  You are doing far more in this world that I can even begin to imagine.  Your glory is everywhere to see, hidden in plain sight if only I will meditate on your works.  Today, help me to ponder your goodness, your greatness and your glory.  Then, let the meditation of my heart flow out of my mouth so that I truly declare your glory wherever I go.  Amen.

Thursday, July 18th

“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”  Matthew 13:31-32

Dear Jesus, Your kingdom started so small and now for 2000 years it has circled the globe many times over!  It’s amazing that your church is built on a message about your solitary life, death, and resurrection that happened so long ago.  It always starts small in one heart at a time but it grows into groups and clans of people.  I have watched your church grow all around me and throughout my region.  I’m amazed at how many people your church has blessed too.  You nailed it for us when you used this parable.  It encourages me when I think that the church is so small.  I’m encouraged to trust that you will make small things grow large as your word spreads.  I will optimistically do my part to plan your word as seeds in the hearts of people too.  Amen.

The word grows people like seeds grow plants.  Don’t hide its power under your doubts about whether it works or not. 

Wednesday, July 17th

“All who served carved images, those who boast in idols, will be put to shame.  All the gods must worship him.”  Psalm 97:7

O God in Heaven, You are the King above all kings and the only true God, above all gods.  You are the God of glory, might, power and dominion.  All things in heaven and on earth bow before your throne.  At least we should; yes, Lord God, this includes me.  I find myself trusting in other people and other things to protect and provide for me.  I find myself looking to other people and other things to give me meaning and purposes in life.  I find myself seeking joy and happiness in other places besides you.  But these people and these things will only let me down.  These people and things are nothing but idols and they can’t help but let me down because they aren’t you!  Forgive me, Father!  Forgive me for seeking good elsewhere.  Forgive me for finding joy in other people.  Forgive me for seeking safety in the arms of another.  Forgive me and help me to make you my one and only.  Teach me to fear, to love and trust you above all things.  There is none like you.  All other gods will disappoint me, but you never will.  Amen.

Tuesday, July 16th

“The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks are his.  The sea is his; he made it.  His hand formed the dry land.”  Psalm 95:4-5

O God, You alone are God and all that exists in this world is yours.  The depths of the earth, the mountain heights, the seas and oceans, along with all the land.  It’s easy for me to believe and rejoice in your created works and be glad that it is yours.  But I often forget that the little stuff is yours too.  That every penny in my bank account and every cent that is included in my paycheck is yours too.  That every item in my closet and every tool in my garage is yours.  Every moment of each day is yours.  All that I call “mine” is really yours.  It is your time, a gift that you give me to serve you and others.  It is all your money and your budget, a gift that you give me to serve you and others.  It is all your money and your budget, a gift that you give me to manage to seek first your kingdom.  They are your possessions, a gift to me to be used to serve the world.  All that I am and all that I have is yours.  Help to me worship and honor you with all that I am and all that I have today.  Amen.

Monday, July 15th

“The LORD will not forsake his people or abandon his heritage.”  Psalm 94:14

LORD, I look into the world and I see injustice in it.  I even see injustice in my own life.  But God, you promise never to leave me or forsake me.  Work out justice for me and for all people in this world.  Reign with your mighty power.  I find Evil and sin standing in the way of the mission you have given me.  Deliver us from Evil and get rid of all obstacles to your Word.  Sometimes I feel like I’m losing hold and losing ground, always falling further behind and never getting ahead.  Come Lord and help me.  I am overwhelmed by the duties and responsibilities laid upon me.  The cross is heavy Lord.  Come and bring me your word of comfort that I might be strengthened and sustained.  Help me Lord.  I’m not letting go until you bless me.  Amen.

Saturday, July 13th

“The LORD reigns!  He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, enveloped in strength.  The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.”  Psalm 93:1

Lord God, I am often troubled by the future.  I imagine all kinds of “what ifs” and other possibilities.  Some of those possibilities excite me to imagine that they may come true.  But much of what I imagine frightens me, because it might come to pass.  I’m worried.  I’m afraid.  I’m consumed by thoughts about what might be.  Lord God, you reign.  This is all I need to remember.  You sit on your throne in majesty, robed in might and strength.  You truly hold all things in your hands and control all things with your powerful Word.  You truly govern the nations so I don’t fear the election.  You truly rule over all the events in my life so I don’t fear that may or may not come to pass.  Help me to hear your voice: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in me.”  You Lord, are trustworthy.  Teach me to trust you.  Amen.

Friday, July 12th

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables,” Matthew 12:1-3

Dear Jesus, You have such a passion that every single person has an opportunity to hear your word that you made adjustments to get the word to the crowd.  I have recreated your moment by pushing out into a boat at a campground to teach 150 youth on shore.  I see how it worked for you.  It only makes me admire you more.  Help me to make the same effort with your word for people around me.  I want them to hear the word and understand it for their spiritual well-being.  Give your churches men and women who will help their pastors use technology to advance the ministry of the word in ways that all people can receive it.  Give all of us Christians a passion for sharing the good news in relevant and meaningful ways too.  Help your people help the world to find you!  Amen.

The word of God is too valuable to waste on shoddy presentations and static laden airwaves. 

Thursday, July 11th

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”  Psalm 91:11-12

O Father, It is simply stounding the way you take care of me.  You don’t just watch from a distance, you protect me with your own mighty arm.  You don’t just sit on a park bench and watch me while you read the newspaper, you send angels for me, just for me.  You give them orders and directions about me.  Angels are not just your servants, but you also give them as mighty servants for me.  They are given for me, to serve me as I wait for my eternal salvation.  God, dear Father in heaven, your care for me is beyond comprehension.  Amen.