Monday, December 9th

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’  And this is the word that was preached to you.”  1 Peter 1:22-25

Dear Jesus, It’s easy for me to think that if big things will change in my circumstances, then I can really live.  But that’s not true.  The truth that you teach me here shows that the gospel changes me so that in all circumstances I can live a purposeful life of love toward all people.  I can do that when I am a small child with little influence and an old man in a death bed, and everything in between.  My flesh is like grass and will soon fade.  But the word about your love and the gift you bring, it endures forever.  So, help me to live out the gospel love you have given me today ad not to wait for changes in my circumstances to really start living.  Amen.

The gospel enables us to blossom where we are planted.  So, stop paying to be transplanted. 

Saturday, December 7th

There are a million things to do before Christmas, sometimes we even start in September preparing.  There are gifts to buy, travel plans to make, meals to plan and let’s not forget worship services to attend.  Yet what so easily gets lost is that we need to take time to PREPARE ourselves too.  With everything going on we don’t always take the time to make sure we are preparing our hearts to meet Jesus.  The primary way we prepare to meet Jesus is through repentance.  Repentance is more than just feeling bad about the things we do wrong.  Repentance is turning away from our sin.  Yes, that means we feel bad about the things that we do wrong, but it also means resolving to not repeat our mistakes.  The other part of repentance is turning to God to forgiveness.  Our hearts are prepared to meet Jesus when we recognize our sins, all the foolish things we have done, and trust in Jesus to forgive us.  The hymn writer said it so beautifully, “Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin and furnished for a guest within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.” (CW93 #16)

Friday, December 6th

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.  1 Peter 1:18-21

Dear Heavenly Father, Since you are eternal, the sacrifice you and Jesus made is an “ever present” event for you.  It’s as fresh in your mind as the morning dew.  I confess that it isn’t always as fresh in my mind.  But your word through Peter is helping make it more imminent.  My sins are current.  So, it’s very comforting to know your grace is fresh in your mind.  Help me to live today with holy fear and gratitude for what you give up every day for me in your heart.  Amen.

To the eternal God, Jesus died on the cross this very minute.  When was it to you? 

Thursday, December 5th

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:17-21

Dear Jesus, How easily I fall into getting even.  It’s sometimes so subtle, only I and you know about it.  Other times I selfishly want it to be painfully obvious to the one who hurt me that I’m evening the score.  Either way, I see that I’m far from the faith filled “hands off” attitude you want from me.  I know that you want me to be grace filled and to leave justice to you.  I can’t do it without a supernatural makeover from your Holy Spirit.  Fill my heart with the Spirit’s love and make me a goodness factory.  I’m tired of keeping score and I’m tired of getting even.  I just want to love and be loved.  Only you can make that happen for me.  Amen.

Getting even is a myth.  It’s really a downward spiral into emptiness. 

Wednesday, December 4th

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

Dear Jesus, It’s one of the biggest choices I make every day.  Who will my friends be?  Who will I spend my time with?  How will I let them influence me?  I can see this passage coming true for me in both scenarios.  I’ve let some people be my friends indeed.  In my remaining days help me to make the tough choices of who my friends will be in real time and in my digital consumption.  Give me friends that will be grace-filled, word-of-God-driven, and exuding the fruit of the spirit.  In the same vein, make me that kind of friend for those who choose me for a friend too.  Finally, thank you for being the friend of sinners, even a sinner like me.  Amen.

Choose your friends carefully.  They will shape who you become in good times and bad. 

Tuesday, December 3rd

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the most gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Dear Lord, I never tire of needing this reminder from my friend, the Apostle Paul.  You send challenges and difficulties my way from all angles in order to keep me humble.  You make me weak so I need your strength.  You want to be my everything, not just my something.  Your grace is your benevolent promise to meet all my needs in your time and way.  Help me to hold on to your grace and avoid treating you like the big vacation planner in the sky.  I know that my eternal rest will begin when this epic struggle is over.  Be my rest internally today while I wait for my rest eternally that will come at the end.  Amen.

God isn’t just a big thing in our lives.  He’s everything. 

Monday, December 2nd

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”  1 Peter 2:1-3

Dear Jesus, Just as great food satisfies my tongue, your great words satisfy my soul.  I marvel that you have chosen me of all people to understand the beautiful truths of your living word.  Every time I read them, they change my thinking, repair my attitude and restore my faith.  They satisfy a hunger deep within me.  I see people every day that are starved for your word.  They live in anger, bitterness, envy and fear.  They struggle with the power of selfishness and despair.  I have all those struggles too, but I have your word to combat them and to push them back out the door for my heart.  Help me to crave your words so I take time to “eat” them every day.  I want to live in the strength of the powerful gift you have given us.  Amen.

If you are tired of mulling through your own thoughts today, get off the merry-go-round and sit quietly with God’s word and ingest the newness of life.

Saturday, November 30th

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.”  1 Peter 1:10-12

Dear Jesus, By grace you chose me to learn what you had your prophets write down for centuries about your life and sacrifice for mine.  By grace you had apostles tell their stories about how you lived out the prophecies right in front of you.  By grace you had family and Sunday school teachers faithfully teach me the grand story of the Bible.  By grace you had mentors available to talk me through my doubts and guide me to your promises.  By grace you sent your Holy Spirit who used your word from the prophets, apostles and my mentors to give me faith in your salvation for me.  Here in the first chapter of Peter’s he leads us in a word of praise (doxology) over the grace you have showered on us through all these people.  I am “wowed” by your grace.  I am privileged not because of race but because of grace.  Help me to live this grateful and graceful mindset all day today.  Amen.

Live in gratitude for grace today or destine yourself to be a confused, ignorant, curmudgeon. 

Saturday, November 30th

Advent is really a Latin word, advenio, which mean to approach or draw near.  During this season we reflect upon the coming of Jesus.  We see him come to us first at Christmas, but we also know that he is coming again on the last day.  Advent then looks at Jesus coming from those two perspectives reminding us to prepare our hearts for his coming to our world at Christmas and for his coming on Judgement Day.

One of the ways we prepare our hearts is through the decorations that we put up.  They are more than just beautiful to look at, they also carry a message.  For example, the banner that now hangs on the (from your perspective) right side of the chancel (the chancel is the front part of the church) has four candles on it, representing the four candles of the Advent wreath and therefore the four weeks of the Advent season.  Each candle has a different word printed on it.  The first word is WATCH.  During the season of Advent we watch for the coming of Jesus.  We know when we are going to celebrate Jesus coming; December 25th of course!  It is on our calendar, but it wasn’t on the shepherd’s calendar.  They were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night.  They were surprised to hear from the angels that the savior had been born to them, because they were keeping watch for his coming.  We keep watch for Jesus glorious return not by staying awake forever or going up some mountain and staring at the sky.  We keep watch for Jesus by listening to his word and using the sacraments.  Through word and sacrament the Holy Spirit keeps our faith strong, faith that is constantly watching for Jesus return. 

Friday, November 29th

“’Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory?  How does it look to you now?  Does it not seem to you like nothing?  But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD.  ‘Be strong, Joshua song of Jozadak, the high priest.  Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work.  For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt.  And my Spirit remains among you.  Do not fear.’  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.  ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”        Haggai 2:3-9

Dear Heavenly Father, I am intrigued by this word you sent through the prophet, Haggai, when the rag tag remnant of your people was rebuilding your temple for you.  You comforted the older people that although the rebuilt temple would nowhere near match the old one, that you would give it more glory by sending your Son and his gospel there.  In the same way, I have often wondered what it is about my home church building that makes me like it.  It’s not because it’s the most beautiful building I have ever worshiped in.  It’s so much more.  It’s because I meet your Son there and I receive his mercy and peace.  My heart is purified, set right and comforted when I’m there.  Thank you for my home church and your servants who labor there to bring Jesus to my heart.  Amen.

If you have a home church where one or more servants bring you Jesus, you are among the most privileged souls on the planet. 

Thursday, November 28th, Thanksgiving Day

Kind and compassionate Father, we must admit our hearts are not always filled with thankfulness, especially as we see so much sin in the world.  Too often they overflow with discontentment and a desire to see better days.  As broken people living in a broken world, it is so easy to focus on all that causes pain and suffering, on all that is wrong with this world and the billions who inhabit it.  Forgive us, Lord!  Forgive us our daily discontentment, worry, and complaining.  Wash it all away in the blood of our Savior! 

Send your Spirit through Word and Sacrament to open our eyes to the many blessings you shower down upon us every day.  Help us to recognize and appreciate every good and perfect gift that comes from your gracious hand.  Fix our eyes on the blood-stained cross and empty tomb of your Son from which flow our greatest blessings: pardon and peace, new life and eternal life.  Open our minds to the wonder of your generous daily care.  Fill our mouths with praise for your blessings of daily bread, the love of family and friends, the purpose and meaning of our vocations, and the pleasures of joy and laughter.  Move us to cling to your promise that in all things, even things that bring us pain and sorrow, you are graciously at work for our ultimate good.  Fill our hearts with compassion and move our hands to action so that we may be one of the reasons that our neighbors give thanks to you and praise your saving name.

For all your blessings, Father, we give you hearty thanks in the name of your dear Son, our Lord and Savior Christ.  Amen.

Wednesday, November 27th

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.  To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:  Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”  1 Peter 1:1-2

Dear Trinity, Peter doesn’t attempt to explain how you could be triune.  He simply reminds me of the great and wonderful blessings you give me.  Father, you chose me from eternity.  Spirit, you penetrate my heart and make me honest about my sins and need for redemption.  You also, make sure I understand the gospel.  Jesus, you paid for it all laid the foundation for daily lifelong grace.  I am chosen, befriended and loved.  I’m going to be okay.  I am blessed by your grace and peace, so, I do not care how you could be three persons in one Godhead.  I just never want to live without this salvation.  Amen.

When you know God’s love, you don’t care so much about God’s mystery. 

Tuesday, November 26th

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,…” 1 Peter 1:1

Dear Jesus, It’s interesting to find Bithynia in your list of churches to receive Peter’s letter.  That was the region that you forbade the apostle Paul to go preach to.  But because here I see that later there were Christians there, it reassures me that you had good plans for them to hear the gospel.  Your plans just didn’t include Paul.  Help me to live in that peace that although you often limit and reduce my impact on the world around me, you still have plans to reach those people.  You are the humongous God who has millions of ways past my finding out.  I will rest in the furrow you have appointed me and I will trust that you can reach those who are closed off to me now.  It gives me peace and hope.  Amen.

God doesn’t include you in his world planning meeting for a reason.  Enjoy your work for him and the peace of letting him work around you without your approval. 

Monday, November 25th

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.  Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”  “Well said, teacher,” the man replied.  “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.  To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”  Mark 12:28-34

Dear Jesus, You cleared away all the piffle that so many earthly laws create for our souls.  You made it simple and clear.  When you were challenged to come up with the two most important laws, you put God the father first and all people second.  You told us to love God and people.  That’s profound, simple and clear.  But then you ended the conversation with an invitation to believe in you.  It was intriguing and subtle.  You said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  Once the law is clarified and reduced to its two key components, it’s still law.  No one can keep it.  We all need you to save us.  You were and are the embodiment of the two great commands.  You never once failed them.  You did that for me.  My life is covered by yours.  Thank you for keeping the greatest commandments in my place.  Now empower me to keep them from the heart.  Make me a lover of God and people because I want to not because I feel I ought to.  Use your race to make me a pure-hearted servant.  Amen.

Learn to love people and at the same time you’ll learn to love the God who made them. 

Saturday, November 23rd

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’  ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”  Revelations 14:13

Dear Jesus, There are so many encouraging words in this fantastic book you revealed to John in visions.  When I read this loud cry from heaven, I’m encouraged that although I have so many loved ones whose short lives are over, that they live on in a restful heaven with you and their good deeds are bearing fruit in your venerable hand on earth.  I trust you with their lives and mine.  If you can take one word from the thief on the cross (whose name you know) and comfort millions of people for over 2000 years, then you can take my small life and harvest ten thousand times ten thousands more fruit from them.  I will robustly sow good deeds now in the sure hope that you will reap a harvest from them that I could have never imagined.  Save me a place in heaven where I can sit and listen to how you did wonderful things after me with what you did through me while I was here.  Amen.

Your good deeds are seeds in the hand of the Creator.  Sow them vigorously and from heaven one day you will hear how they keep bearing fruit down through the ages. 

Friday, November 22nd

“Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? … Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  Daniel 3:13-18

Dear Heavenly Father, Long before we were born you resolutely decided that you were going to sacrifice your own Son to save my soul.  I love how you led these three men to resolutely decide to follow you, honor and worship you above all other men and gods.  I want that pre-life resolution.  Before my day ever starts I resolve to follow and worship you alone.  I know this will be tested.  Make me strong in my appreciation of grace so I follow you in every circumstance without regard for the opinions of consequences that other people produce.  Help me shine for you before all people so they seek you and find you because of my spiritual holy stubbornness.  Amen.

The decision to live only for God is best made before the other offers come. 

Thursday, November 21st

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Dear Jesus, I remember how you prayed the night before you died that your Father would not take us out of the world but that he would protect us from the evil one.  I know you have good and holy reasons for leaving me here on earth to serve and be served, to give and to be given to, to suffer and to suffer with others.  Your words and promises speak a lot of comfort to my heart.  I know you are with me as I walk some of the same trails that you did.  I know you will greet me face to face at the end of my race.  I know you speak to the Father on my behalf and I know you are growing me through my trials.  When I suffer, help me to speak from that stage words that reflect your Holy Spirit’s message for all who would see me suffer.  Use my suffering and the comfort I receive to bless others in their hour of need.  Give purpose and power to my suffering!  Amen.

When you suffer with a purpose, everything about it looks and feels different. 

Wednesday, November 20th

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20

Dear Jesus, There are hardly more comforting words for me today and every day.  You walked this earth and endured everything we do right through the jaws of death.  You conquered it all too.  You are the one who is now with me wherever I go.  It’s easy to visualize you in a place or time that I must go to in order to find you.  But you are right here with me.  You will be with me when I rise up and go out of my house to live in a crazy world too.  It makes me bold to take chances, to seize opportunities, to say the important and true things to others and not try to control the outcome by being silent.  You are with me when the unforeseen problems visit my life and you are with me when I am put in vulnerable situations.  Stay with me Lord Jesus and be my strength, wisdom and shield today.  Amen.

There’s always a big brother with every Christian every day.  Live boldly knowing he’s got your back. 

Tuesday, November 19th

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”  John 16:7-11

Dear Jesus, You spoke these words the night before your life on earth ended.  You promised your Holy Spirit would come and he has.  I sense his work every time I read your divine Word.  I feel his discerning presence when the thespians on the television or at the movies shove their agenda to normalize immorality.  I sense his conviction in the comments of my critics.  I feel his comfort in grace and mercy when I feel guilty.  I seem to have his law and gospel as my constant companion.  Help me to soften my heart to his promptings.  To change my course with just a nudge.  Make me sensitive to him so I season my demeanor with grace, love and understanding.  Use him to flush the rogue judgements out of my heart.  Use him to guide me in my part of every relationship.  Finally, don’t let me fall from the grace you hold out to me through him.  Amen.

The Holy Spirit is the teacher of your conscience, the guide for your interpersonal relationships and the antidepressant for your heart. 

Monday, November 18th

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”  Revelation 22:14

Dear Jesus, These are some of the most comforting words in the entire Bible.  As I read your description of heaven I go on a roller coaster.  First my soul soars to heights of excitement as I hear how beautiful, peaceful, and void of earth’s temptations and trials it is.  Then I read the couple of lists you have of those who won’t be there.  I can find my sins in those lists and I wonder, “Will I get to be in heaven forever or am I destined for eternal unspeakable torment in hell?”  Then I come to this passage where you speak to us with grace and assurance.  “Blessed are those who wash their robes.”  It takes me back to chapter seven where you tell us that “these in white robes are those that have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.”  I have washed my sinful life in your sacrifice and now I am white with righteousness.  I am worthy of heaven.  I won’t be excluded.  Now I read Revelation 21 and 22 with full assurance that this is my destiny.  It gives me a vacation from my troubles today.  Thank you for rescuing me from myself and promising me a blessed forever.  Amen.

If God clears your schedule for you, be ready.  He’s about to bless you more than you could have blessed yourself.