Thursday, October 10th

“For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.  There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”  Hebrews 4:8-10

Dear Heavenly Father, Who would have thought that the Sabbath Day commandment was connected not just to the rest you had on the seventh day after creation but also to the rest your Son gives us from work righteousness, denial, blame, projection and excuses that we make because of our sins.  You rested from your work of creation because, in love, you had finished making us a perfect world.  You rested from your anger over sin when your son said, “It is Finished.”  Now we can rest from trying to make this a heaven on earth.  We can rest from trying to earn your favor.  We can rest from trying to fix every broken relationship.  We can rest in the promise that now we are restored to you, we will also get to live in a restored world in the next life.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you, for the rest we have in grace.  I have entered this rest.  Amen.

Augustine said it best, “We find no rest until we find our rest in God.” 

Wednesday, October 9th

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”  Hebrews 1:3

Dear Jesus, I think about you helping the Father create the world and I think mostly about you redeeming my soul by your sacrificial life.  But I don’t think often about your holding all things together in the entire universe by the power of your word.  This verse reminds me that you are the glue holding all things together in our lives.  You govern gravity, the orbits of the solar system, the weather and all of the laws of nature.  Everything is held together by your word.  When you speak, things are allowed to happen.  You are God.  You are Savior.  And you are Sustainer!  It gives me peace of mind knowing that your scarred hands are holding the whole world.  I will live with confidence today no matter what happens in the weather or otherwise.  You get all the glory and praise for the way I get my corner of your world today.  Amen.

God takes care of what he made down to the greatest detail. 

Tuesday, October 8th

“But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.”  2 Peter 3:5

Dear Heavenly Father, My generation deliberately forgets that you created everything from the farthest galaxy to the smallest ion simply by the power of your word.  You spoke everything into existence.  Even though so many have robbed you of the glory for what you have done, don’t let me do that.  Don’t let me rob you of the glory by embracing theories about nature doing supernatural things all on its own and don’t let me rob you of your glory by living as if everything is mine to do with it what I will.  This is all yours and I am you temporary guest here.  Give me the wisdom and faith to use the small piece of the universe that you have leased to me in way that makes you happy and leaves the greatest blessing or those who will follow after me.  Amen.

Nothing in your life is really yours.  It’s God’s so take care of it how he would. 

Monday, October 7th

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”  Hebrews 11:3

Dear Jesus, It’s part of the very foundation underneath so many other things I believe.  You created all things out of nothing in six short days.  Everything was perfect, everything did and still does belong to you and you will call all people to account for how they lived in your universe under your gracious blessing.  From you, in you and for you are all things.  This changes the way I look at marriage, my job, my possessions, my friends, my choices, my life story and my destiny.  Help me to live by faith and not self-sufficiency so that I make the best of the life you have generously allowed me to live here in your house.  Amen.

If there is no room for God in your life, it’s because you unwittingly think it is your room. 

Saturday, October 5th

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”  Proverbs 3:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father, The two words, love and faithfulness, are plastered all over the Old Testament.  Sometimes they are translated as “love and truth.”  Here in your wisdom from Solomon, you show how important these two characteristics really are to you.  Solomon tells us that David impressed on him to wear them like a necklace and to write them on his heart.  The love he talks about is a love that is independent of anyone deserving it.  It gives and forgives freely.  It’s felt by friends and enemies alike.  The faithfulness is a consistency and loyalty that makes one dependable in every situation.  I don’t have either of these virtues perfectly, but I see how important they are to you.  By being loving and faithful, your Son saved my soul.  By my being loving and faithful I can make you and people happy.  I want these virtues more than any other.  Make me loving and faithful toward all who know me.  Help them see you and your ways when they look over my shoulder to see what I am up to.  Give them the freedom to trust when they think of dealing with me on any matter.  Amen.

There is nothing more handsome or beautiful than looking like Jesus from the inside out. 

Friday, October 4th

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Acts 2:26-28

Dear Jesus, You led Peter to quote David’s psalm about your on Pentecost, the great feast 50 days after you had risen from the dead and 10 days after you had ascended into heaven.  Your Holy Spirit was putting everything together for us in the head of Peter so we might understand what the good news really is.  Because you rose from the dead after paying for our sins, now our bodies will rise from the dead after dying because of sin.  Our souls will never die and our bodies will live again on the last day.  These are the “paths of life” as Peter put it.  I find great comfort in these truths.  Recently, I have watched as the bodies of two of my friends died only three days apart, one from a stroke and another from cancer.  I wonder what it will be in my body that fails me someday.  Your gospel gives me something better to think about.  Whatever it is that kills this body, it will be you that raises it to life, just like yours was raised.  My body is now in the path of life as my soul clings to you.  This is good news.  Since I have the good news, I will live with good intentions in how I serve you and people today with this temporary yet recyclable body.  Amen.

Your body is here on earth to carry God around to bless people.  Use it the way it was intended. 

Thursday, October 3rd

“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house.  Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.  The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor.  All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.  In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her-those brought to be with her.  Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king.”  Psalm 45:10-15

Dear Jesus, Thank you for making me your bride and changing my identity.  Looking into this psalm about you and me, I see that by your divine decree I am free to forget my old tired worn out self-criticisms and to fully adopt my new identity as your wife.  I get all the honor and praise of royalty before angels and all the saints in heaven.  I am yours and you are mind.  Give me the power today to live by faith in this new identity and to boldly fulfill my role as the blessed virgin bride of the king of the universe.  Make me magnanimous and generous.  Make me helpful, loving and true to all people.  Let the glory of your grace shine through my life to strengthen and bless others.  Amen.

Your new identity in Christ has the power to change not only your life but the lives of those around you, that is; if you will let it! 

Wednesday, October 2nd

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.  Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.  Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun-all your meaningless days.  For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.  Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”  Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Dear Heavenly Father, You gave me this time slot and this cubbyhole on your planet to enjoy for a few short years.  After I’m gone others will take my place, live in what was once my home and drive what was once my car.  Help me to enjoy the life you’ve granted by living thankfully and existentially in every moment.  Give me the wisdom to see each experience as a gift from your hand.  Help me to enjoy the life you’ve granted by living thankfully and existentially in every moment.  Give me the wisdom to see each experience as a gift from your hand.  Help me to use this life to bless others as much as I’m blessed, to leave this world a better place and to plant around the earth your words of truth so they bud and flourish long after I’ve begun to rest with you in the heavens.  Amen.

Life is brief and finite.  Make the most of this present moment for God, for others and for yourself. 

Tuesday, October 1st

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God….Who then is the one who condemns?  No one.  Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  Romans 8:26-34

Dear Jesus, All my life I’ve been annoyed to know that others were talking about me.  I remember in grade school when I realized that the girls among my classmates talked about everyone and everything about everyone including myself.  I remember overhearing my parents, my educators, my friends, my enemies and even my pastors talking about me.  For years it drove me crazy that I could not control the diatribe and reputation that others created for me based on a limited understanding of what made me tick.  It seemed so unfair and undisciplined, and a tool of the devil.  I know Jesus that I overreact to this because of my sinfulness.  Thank you for being forgiving and patient with me.  I’m deeply comforted to know that although I suffer here with people talking about me, that you and the Holy Spirit are talking about me to the heavenly Father.  That’s what counts with me now.  It’s not what people say to people that matters so much.  It’s what you three say to each other about me that counts for me.  Your word assures me; the Holy Spirit seeks help for me when he talks to the Father about me.  You seek my pardon and forgiveness when you talk to the Father about me.  I choose to focus on what you three are saying about me to each other rather than concern myself with the words of fallible mortals.  Amen.

It doesn’t matter what people are saying to people about you as much as it matters what God is saying to God about you. 

Monday, September 30th

“He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:10-13

Dear Jesus, After you shouted “It is Finished!” from your cross, you were anything but finished blessing us.  Now, from your seat in heaven, you whisper in the Father’s ear and talk to him about me (Romans 8).  You rule over all things all over the world for the good of your church (Ephesians 1:23) and here you tell me that you dole out leaders for the church to grow people into your likeness.  I have had many teachers and pastors who have done your bidding to disciple me into who I am today.  All along it was you that sent them.  You knew what I needed and brought them into my life.  I will be forever grateful.  Thank you for continually sending more and more soul shepherds to your earth.  You once told us to pray for more laborers (Matthew 9:35-38), and so here I am asking for you to increase the workers in your vineyard in these last days while so much spiritual darkness is being puffed out all over the world.  Amen.

If you have been touched spiritually by any church leader ever, you have Jesus to thank. 

Saturday, September 28th

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them I the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matthew 28:19-20

Dear Holy Spirit, I see you listed as the third person of the Trinity in the “great Commission” of Jesus.  I hear theologians call you the “silent member” of the holy Trinity too.  In part I believe it, you never bring attention to yourself, but you faithfully and forcefully move throughout humanity as each generation is born.  You call wayward hearts home to the Father and the Son by making sure people are inspired with truth that jettisons between them.  You whisper into the ear of the rebel and comfort the sad and shamed sinners.  You point to Jesus and make us see his work for us.  You purify my heart by leading me to repentance and faith.  You make me wise to help others and you give me the desire to do it.  If it were not for your quiet efforts I would be a useless heap of rubble.  But as it is, you make me a tool in the hand of the Father to change the lives of others.  Thank you Holy Spirit for being the God of my soul.  Amen.

God’s Holy Spirit is the appointed best friend we all need. 

Friday, September 27th

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Dear Jesus, How simple and yet how profound are these words written by your aging apostle!  You have always been the Word who was with God and who is God.  You were involved in the creation of the world.  You made me and all creatures.  Then, you became one of us, to redeem us from our devastating mistakes.  You are full of power, grace and truth.  As my creator today, accept my life as a “thank offering” to you.  As my redeemer, accept my grace towards others as my way of honoring your sacrifice for me.  As my teacher, accept my willingness to obey your command to believe in your word as objective truth.  You are God.  You are my God.  You are my God and I love you for how you made me and then saved me.  Amen.

We are Jesus’ invention and he takes care of that which is his. 

Thursday, September 26th

“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, At first glance Paul’s words look blasphemous.  How could anything be lacking in the sacrifice you made?  But when I consider the context I see that he is taking us to deep spiritual truths.  He’s talking about the union we have with you as believers.  You are in us leading us to serve just as you did.  As we lay down our lives and give up our own wills in order to spread your word and confront people to save them, you are suffering through us.  It’s a “sacramental” suffering to bring your salvation to others through our lives.  We are your means to save.  Ah, this is part of what we mean by “mystic union.”  We are mystically united with you.  You are in us and we are in you and together we suffer to serve the planet.  How deep!  How real!  How intimate it becomes!  Help me to have the same attitude of Paul and give me the wisdom and strength to resist the quitter and delegator attitude so prevalent among my people.  Amen.

Serving God and people is not easy but it’s important. 

Wednesday, September 25th

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself!  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see showed them his hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”  Luke 24:36-43

Dear Jesus, You wanted them to know you were not only alive but that you were still fully human.  They got to touch you and you ate in front of them.  Once you had become human you would never return to being only God.  That’s a great mystery (1 Timothy 3:16).  Now you are fully one of us and we are one with you.  We are the redeemed human!  Our bodies will be like yours someday, glorified and holy.  Seeing that you appeared in the glorified flesh gives me peace and hope.  My body so subject to decay will one day be changed to eternally alive.  Thank you for becoming like me so I could become like you.  It’s grace in living color.  I will live with hope today.  Amen.

Because he lives we also live too and with a whole different outlook. 

Thursday, October 3rd

“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house.  Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.  The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor.  All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.  In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her-those brought to be with her.  Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king.”  Psalm 45:10-15

Dear Jesus, Thank you for making me your bride and changing my identity.  Looking into this psalm about you and me, I see that by your divine decree I am free to forget my old tired worn out self-criticisms and to fully adopt my new identity as your wife.  I get all the honor and praise of royalty before angels and all the saints in heaven.  I am yours and you are mind.  Give me the power today to live by faith in this new identity and to boldly fulfill my role as the blessed virgin bride of the king of the universe.  Make me magnanimous and generous.  Make me helpful, loving and true to all people.  Let the glory of your grace shine through my life to strengthen and bless others.  Amen.

Your new identity in Christ has the power to change not only your life but the lives of those around you, that is; if you will let it! 

Tuesday, September 24th

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Psalm 139:1-6

Dear Jesus, You know everything about everything, especially me.  This both frightens and comforts me.  It frightens me because I know how often my thoughts, words and actions have strayed.  It’s like every few minutes.  I think how disappointed you must be.  But then it comforts me because I cannot fully figure anything out but I know you have a handle on it anyway.  You hold all things in the grasp of your knowledge and insight.  Nothing escapes you and nothing is too hard for you to resolve.  Since I know your grace I can bear the thought that you know me so well too.  I am not alone.  I am never alone.  That will comfort me today.  Amen.

God knows everything so you don’t have to. 

Monday, September 23rd

“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’  ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’”  John 1:47-48

Dear Jesus, You see all our thoughts and all our personal spiritual pursuits.  You knew Nathaniel was a man of integrity who diligently searched for your Father.  You revealed to him that you knew his heart.  He immediately trusted you.  When I think about you knowing all my thoughts and that you still want me, it makes me trust you too.  Help me overcome my crazy self-made ideas.  Teach me the Scriptures that apply to my thinking.  You see where the soft spots are.  Open my heart to see and believe what you say about those issues.  Change me by coming to see me in my individual spiritual journey and bring me to your safe place.  Amen.

Jesus knows every question and false idea you have.  Let him teach you the way out of the fog of confusion. 

Saturday, September 21st

“As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.  Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.  Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.  Everyone with me sends you greetings.  Greet those who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all.”  Titus 3:12-15

Dear Jesus, Thank you for putting me on your team with so many wonderful people whom you have sanctified and deployed to create your goodness on the earth.  My life has been so full because of the people you have given me to serve with.  Help me be a good teammate for all of them and to find new ways to make my life leave a larger spiritual footprint on this earth to your glory.  Amen.

Your spiritual footprint is much more important than your carbon footprint. 

Friday, September 20th

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with them.  You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”  Titus 3:9-11

Dear Jesus, There’s something intoxicating about the pursuit of an argument.  The prize of being right or feeling right all too easily drags my heart into debate.  Somehow winning over anyone with an opposing viewpoint feels like I’m conquering the world.  I’m embarrassed at how the argument can be about the smallest domestic issue in my own home or as large as some world political platform that I have no control over.  I can quarrel about how things should be done or about what I actually said back when versus what someone thought I said.  In Titus’ days his church friends were tempted to argue about Pharisaical righteousness; that is, who was being good by following personal religious traditions or not.  I have noticed how easily I can get caught up in my own church debates too.  Oh Jesus, don’t let me lose time and hurt people by getting caught up in useless arguing about anything.  I want off that bus.  I want to pursue peace and find ways to share your word and grace with others rather than intoxicate myself with debate whether with family, church members or secular friends.  Amen.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 

Thursday, September 19th

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”  Titus 3:3-8

Dear Jesus, Paul describes our lives before we are cleansed by your law and gospel; deceived, envious, hating and being hated.  It sounds envious, hating and being hated.  It sounds like our world but it also sounds like me when I honestly look into my heart.  But I have experienced your cleansing of the guilt of this life.  To come to faith and to live in the faith with your word touching my heart is a constant cleansing.  You wash the deck of my heart daily.  The picture you describe as a washing of rebirth helps make me feel clean inside, not because I haven’t produced any dirt but because you wash that dirt away by exposing it, sweeping it out and replacing it with love.  No wonder the response you tell us that you are looking for is a life devoted to doing what is good and profitable to everyone.  I want my life to be clean and useful for others.  Free me from the filth of my own selfishness and help me rise up to change the world by actively loving others in your name and to your glory.  Amen.

When God confronts our sin to relieve us of it, he has others in mind that he wants to bless through us too.