Saturday, November 2nd

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”  Philippians 2:12-13

Dear Jesus, Thank you for working in me both the right desire and the ability to live a godly life for your glory and the benefit of others.  As I am challenged today by everything from health problems to uncooperative people, give me the consistent desire and ability to bring goodness to the situation, so that I shine like your star and people are encouraged to seek you because they see your supernatural work of grace in me.  When my life feels so much more mundane than this, keep me in the right attitude so I shine for you even if it’s for no other person at all.  Amen.

If you live for God and God alone, you’ll be the greatest blessing for yourself and others. 

Friday, November 1st

“But the LORD said, ‘You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow.  It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left-and also many animals?”  Jonah 4:10-11

Dear Heavenly Father, Your concern and compassion for all people and even for all the animals is the foundation of our entire existence.  It’s your love that made us and it’s your love that forgives us when we fall.  Not one of us lives outside your mercy and yet we so often want justice more than mercy.  Give me your heart, which loves all people, even all creation with compassion and grace.  Make me long for the restoration of all people more than I do for the satisfaction of justice.  Help me find in your cross the payment for sins so I am free to love people as much as you are.  Amen.

We live inside of God’s love.  In here there is no room for suffocating anger and criticism. 

Thursday, October 31st

O God, our refuge and strength, we thank you that you have made clear to us the unconditional gospel of forgiveness of sins through faith alone in Jesus Christ.  Keep us steadfast in your Word, defend us against all of our enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace.  Move us by your grace alone to be your witnesses across the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Wednesday, October 30th

“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:31-32

Dear Jesus, Like Jonah, I have struggled with how gracious and forgiving you are with all people.  I somehow think I am more deserving than others.  Those thoughts are what make me undeserving of your mercy.  Mercy is pure grace and never earned.  Help to quit separating myself from other sinners as if my kind of sin is more pleasing in your sight than theirs.  We are all recipients of your adopting grace.  I love being your child.  Help me love all other people as children in the making for you.  Amen.

Mercy is wanting God’s grace for others as much as you want it for yourself. 

Tuesday, October 29th

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’”  Luke 16:25-26

Dear Jesus, You told this parable to help all of us realize how short and fleeting earthly life is.  Our wealth and possessions are irrelevant to eternal life.  None of our personal circumstances will last.  This is both a comfort and a confrontation.  It makes me wake up and listen to you and whatever you have to say about the meaning of life and the salvation you bring.  What you had Abraham saying to the rich man who was in hell, echoes in my mind, “In your lifetime you had good things but now you are in agony.”  I don’t want to get caught up living for this life and all that passes away.  Help me to enjoy your blessings but to use them for the good of others and to your glory.  Help me to hold them loosely in my heart so I don’t get dislocated when you pull them out of my grasp.  Make me a free, powerful, force for gospel goodness in this life.  Amen.

If you feel discombobulated when God wrenches a blessing from your life, it’s a sure sign that it was not as good for you as you had once thought. 

Monday, October 28th

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  1 Corinthians 15:19-20

Dear Jesus, Being genuinely tied to what I can experience with my five senses makes me long for the help that you give me for today more than for help you promise when I die.  Like the old song says, “Everyone wants to go to heaven but just not right now!”  But your faithful Apostle brings me back home to the core of your message.  You came to win the battle against sin and death, not just to win over temporal problems.  My day will come when you say “No” to every request for earthly rescue.  You will let the worst calamity take my body and put it to rest.  If I only hope for this life, I am the most pitiable preacher.  But in fact, that’s not me.  I do have hope that I will cheat death.  My soul will never die!  My body will rise again on the last day, just like yours did on Easter.  Your Easter story foreshadows my own life story.  Oh Savior, make me truly trust this good news and so live in hope that people can see, even when I face my own mudslide to the grave.  Amen.

Every earthly accomplishment will one day appear like a plastic little league trophy compared to the glories of heaven. 

Saturday, October 26th

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11

Dear Heavenly Father, You have given your word to us as medicine, food and as a weapon.  Forgive me for so often thinking I had what I needed within myself to fight temptation on my own.  I need you and your word to be my light in the darkness and my power to say “no” when I am tempted.  Whenever I read or even commit to memorizing your words, I sense it’s power over everything from worry to lust.  Thank you for graciously giving us powerful words to hide in our souls to counter the myriad of evil thoughts that plague us every day.  And remind me by your Holy Spirit to tap into your word when I am tempted so I don’t sin against you or anyone else.  Amen.

When you pray “lead us not into temptation” do it with the word of God ion your heart and be ready to wield it when prompted. 

Friday, October 25th

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”  Corinthians 1:8-11

Oh God, These are the perfect passages for any Christian who has had a near death experience.  We don’t talk among ourselves enough about it, but when we stare death straight in the face it’s a horrifying and totally defeating experience.  I’m learning from this passage that you allow us to come near the edge of death many times before you pull us into heaven.  Each time you deepen our understanding of the power of the gospel of eternal life and resurrection to come.  Each time you make us value our remaining days more.  Each time you increases our gratitude and faith.  Health problems or threats from the outside are your servants sent to refine the faith and hope in the hearts of your children.  Help us to talk to each other more about the way you draw us near and fill us up with the good news, when we find ourselves in near-death experiences.  Help us to live near death but also near you and your good news all our days.  Amen.

Live near death and near Jesus and you will get and give the most out of life. 

Thursday, October 24th

“The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”  Proverbs 16:4

Dear Heavenly Father, Because I know you’re working out everything to its proper end, I don’t need to get too caught up trying to understand the details of my life.  I can spend my energy being the best me you want me to be.  As you unfold each new situation, I can focus on listening to your words like a player heeds a coach in the heat of a game.  Help me to hear your voice over the crowd and even over my own repeating fears and desires.  I want to get it right in life, not just try to make life right for me.  It’s so comforting to know that when I stroll heaven with you, I will be able to comprehend the magnificent way you worked out all of our lives together.  Today is awesome and holy because you have redeemed it from the whims of us mortals.  Amen.

Stop trying to make life turn our right and just work on being the best you right where you are. 

Wednesday, October 23rd

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

Dear Jesus, This is the perfect passage for everyday street-level living.  You have created a vibrant, stable relationship with me through the pure grace you give to me weaknesses I live close to you because you consistently forgive.  Gone is the system of fairness and record-keeping.  Gone is the guilt and shame that makes me hide.  Gone is the anger and passion for restitution.  What is left is the freedom to love and be loved.  Help me to translate that same grace to every relationship I have in work, church, family and friends.  I want grace to be the commodity with which I do life.  Help me live in the sphere of grace.  Amen.

Grace postures one to give and forgive even before reasons not to emerge. 

Tuesday, October 22nd

“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.’”  Matthew 22:29

Dear Jesus, I love how you didn’t fall for their logical argument against faith.  Instead, you pointed out their lack of knowledge about heavenly things.  We know so little about heaven.  Why do we try to pontificate about anything regarding the spiritual world?  We would serve ourselves best if we just shut up and listened.  When we factor in that you are the supernatural, Supreme Being, everything you teach us about creation and eternal life makes perfect logical sense.  As humans, our debate with your word is out of ignorance regarding who you really are and what you have really said.  How patient you must be when we disagree with your supernatural management of all things.  Help me to relax in your claims to create, interfere and finally culminate all of history in your supernatural power.  Give me the confidence to challenge my generation with your claims to be God over all things too.  Amen.

Fortunately God is as patient as he is supernaturally strong.  If he wasn’t it would be toast. 

Monday, October 21st

“Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.  And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.’”  Job 2:3

Dear Heavenly Father, I feel like this is one of the most revealing, transparent statements you have made in all of the Bible.  I see your personality too.  You did not willingly afflict Job.  You were in a struggle with your arch enemy.  You let Satan play in your sandbox for reasons all your own but there was no reason in Job’s life that caused you to release Satan to afflict him.  Job’s friends fell all over themselves trying to give reasons.  Job afflicted himself with trying to find the reason.  There was none to be found.  You just wanted to prove to Satan that Job loved you unconditionally.  What a strange and powerful story.  I know you love me unconditionally.  So did Job (Job 19).  I see that love on your Son’s cross.  I want to be free from the affliction of trying to figure out why I suffer.  Settle my heart in loving you no matter what because you first loved me.  That will give my life stability and peace.  Amen.

What if we quit trying to figure God and his ways out?  Maybe, just maybe we’d begin to love him the way he wants to be loved. 

Saturday, October 19th

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.  For what children are not disciplined by their father?  If you are not disciplined-and everyone undergoes discipline-then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.”  Hebrews 12:7-8

Dear Father, The phrase that sticks out to me today in your words is “and everyone undergoes discipline.”  Before it almost slipped by me.  I have often felt that so many others were disciplined way less than me and that a few were disciplined more.  How foolish for me to try to judge what you are up to with each soul and to measure (as if I could) how you discipline us!  Everyone undergoes discipline.  No one is immune to it and no one dares to try to escape it either.  It’s your way with sinners.  We need hardship to keep us close.  We need it for a thousand other reasons that only you fully understand.  It leads us into a dependent relationship with you.  It surprises us and knocks us off our self-made pedestal.  It makes us need and want you and the relief you bring.  It makes us evaluate our lives and look for sin we have committed.  It makes us real and humble.  It deals with our rebellion.  Not one of us people on the planet escapes it.  It’s only your children by faith that receive it as a part of a loving parent/child relationship with you.  Help me to trust your love when I’m disciplined as much and when I seem to be not.  Amen. 

Good parents are expressing love when they discipline their children.  How much more does God express his love when he allows his own to hurt. 

Friday, October 18th

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.  There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”  Proverbs 23:17-18

Dear Heavenly Father, Comparing my life with others brings no peace.  That horizontal pursuit leads to a dead- end filled with negative emotions.  Your word tells me to lead my heart to look vertically up to you and to be zealous for my child/parent relationship with you.  The fear you call for is typified by love and respect.  You promise me that you have my future mapped out for me.  It’s all about you and me and no one else.  I long for the freedom you promise that comes from my refusing to compare my life with others.  Help me to want what I have from you instead of pursuing what I want when I compare myself to others.  That’s the secret to contentment.  I can only come close to it if you help me by your Holy Spirit to lead my heart instead of follow it.  So, help me Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit to accept my life with you just as your Son did when he laid it all down to save me.  Amen.

Contentment is wanting what you have from God instead of getting what you want after comparing your life with others. 

Thursday, October 17th

“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.”  Romans 2:4

Dear God, We often think of how you send hardship to turn me around.  We even call it a “wake up call”.  But we do not so readily think that you send grace and blessings to bring us to repentance.  I remember being surprised the first time I read about Peter in Luke 5 falling to the bottom of his boat in fear and repentance when you blessed him with a boat full of fish.  I would have thought he’d be celebrating.  Instead he was repenting.  When I think of your Son on the cross for me, it leads me to humble myself too.  But it also makes me thankful that you would save a wretch like me.  Your blessings, even the blessing of Jesus, lead me to honesty about my unworthiness of such generosity.  They lead me to love and trust you too.  If you can keep blessing a sinner like me, you are the most stable person in all the universe for me.  Thank you for changing my heart and life through your consistent grace based generosity toward me.  Amen.

Karma is humankind’s weak attempt to take credit for what God loves to give out of grace. 

Wednesday, October 16th

“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:5-6

Dear Heavenly Father, This thought comforts me in all my relationships: You are in a relentless pursuit to grow us into better people for our good and your glory!  I think about this in moments of failure.  I think about it when others fail me too.  You are always growing all of us.  You won’t let us go.  In every circumstance, if we will look to you for the lessons you are teaching, we will find them, even if they just teach us to trust you and not ourselves so much.  Always teaching us and growing us until the very end when we get carried to perfection!  To think that you are growing everyone makes me patient with others too.  I don’t get so tied to events as I do to a program of change.  Help me to retain what your word teaches here.  I want to grow in the word about growth.  You began the good work of faith in your grace long ago in my life.  You are still actively transforming my personality today.  Give me the humility and faith to let you mess with my head, my heart and my life for your glory.  Amen.

God loves us too much to leave us “babies” in our understanding of life. 

Tuesday, October 15th

“Blessed in the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.  Psalm 32:1-2

Dear Heavenly Father, I remember lying to my parents to avoid punishment.  All my life I’ve been tempted to dishonesty in order to avoid being in trouble.  I know I’m not alone.  I inherited it from Adam.  He was dishonest with himself when you came calling for him.  I would never be able to abide appearing before you on the last day if I didn’t know your mercy.  David says it here in the psalm; it’s a blessed life when we are forgiven.  The grace removes the guilt and shame but there is an added benefit too.  That forgiveness makes us honest.  The need for a lie falls off.  The power of an honest life is invigorating.  Thank you for giving me mercy that restores me to honesty and peace.  The peace and strength of honest confession and forgiveness have become the greatest blessing in my life for my relationship with you, people and with myself.  Grace is that amazing!  Amen.

Nothing works to restore a soul after the trauma of sin, like good naked mercy. 

Monday, October 14th

“He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”  Luke 10:18-20

Dear Jesus, It’s my nature to find my greatest joy in the things you allow me to accomplish in life.  But at the end of the day, everything I create is vulnerable to the whims of others and the tragedy of changing circumstances.  Once I erect a trophy for my own mind, someone comes by and knocks it down, or builds a bigger, better tower.  Finding my greatest joy in my work is disappointing and distorted living.  Your word here points me out of that darkness.  I have something much better than my own accomplishments in which to rejoice.  I have my security for an eternal.  No matter what frustrations plague my temporary life, I will survive it all and finally stand on the precipice of history with you and look back over the landscape of my life as it fits into your grand universal scheme.  I will see my place in time from my place in eternity and everything will make sense to me, especially the disappointments.  Oh, Jesus, keep my safe in this faith.  Amen.

God enters our short life and reminds us that he won us for the long game. 

Saturday, October 12th

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.  Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”  Acts 17:22-28

Dear Jesus, So many things happen to me.  I also make so many things happen both good and bad.  Every era of my life has been marked by some kind of stress.  It seems that looking back or looking forward is always more pleasant than looking at the present.  Daily, I wonder what is the meaning to my life?  I wonder who I am, why I am here and where I am going.  By grace and in love for my soul you have given me the only answers that work for me.  Who am I?  I am your special creation, invented by you to hold this space and time.  But I have fallen too.  I’m not everything you hoped I would be.  So, why am I here?  I’m here at this place and time to find you and your mercy.  I’m here in the present with all its stresses to reach out for you and find you once again.  Where am I going?  I’m going through this short life to a day when I will stand before you the author of all of life and I will be welcomed into heaven by grace and grace alone.  You have given me the meaning to my life?  Thank you for choosing me of all people to be granted the insight that makes life truly meaningful.  Amen.

Everyone is in search of meaning.  We find no lasting meaning until we search for and find God himself. 

Friday, October 11th

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”  Psalm 133

Dear Jesus, You gave Israel the high priesthood and his sacrifices to settle all matters of sin and dispute between them.  When they took their problems to the temple they knew your heavenly Father had settled them.  This brought them a unity from outside themselves.  It was your great recovery plan.  When David understood that, he wrote this little psalm to help his people always remember that they had your recovery plan for the maintenance of good relationships.  He reminded them that the sacrifices that settled sin were as refreshing as mountain cool temps and dew that wet the grass.  Today, we have you who replaced the high priestly office and its grand recovery plan.  Your gospel and the Lord’s Supper are our recovery plan.  They restore our relationships and help us let you settle our blame and shame that we create between us with our sins.  Help all our people and me to understand and practice this great recovery plan that comes from outside ourselves from you, the Father and the Holy Spirit.  I want the brotherly unity that you promise to give.  Amen.

If God has reconciled his holy justice through Christ, who are you to hold back forgiveness from someone?