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Author Archives: John D. Willome

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About John D. Willome

I post a blog of daily devotions that are my prayer journals based on scripture.

Lectionary Readings for October 23, 2022

23 Oct

Dear God, I was attending the Catholic church this morning and some of the verses really struck me. As a Protestant, I have not been exposed to the Apocrypha much, but I’m really coming to appreciate it’s role in the Christian faith.

Old Testament Reading

I mention that because the Old Testament reading this morning was from Sirach 35. Verses 14-16 caught my ear this morning:

14 Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;
15     and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;
for the Lord is the judge,
    and with him there is no partiality.
16 He will not show partiality to the poor;
    but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

I’m not sure which translation the church uses in its missal, but the way the missal translated the part about the poor was, “The LORD is God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.” I like that you love the poor and you will listen to the prayer of the weak, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will show partiality. There is fairness. There is justice. Just because I happen to be poor does not give me license to steal or abuse others. At the same time, you are there to love and comfort them. You are there to help provide through your own means and through your church. Help us to know what that means and looks like.

Psalm

Ironically, the Psalm was parts of Psalm 34. The repeated refrain was “The LORD hears the cry of the poor.” The last verses used in the psalm say, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.” I know some people whose spirits have been crushed. You know who is on my heart right now. Hear their cry. Hear my cry for them. Holy Spirit, give them comfort. Show those of us who know them how to love them. Let your light shine on them through us. And help us to be their defenders on your behalf.

New Testament Reading

The reading is from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. I don’t know why they selectively chose just verse 6-8 and 16-18, but the words in 16-18 struck me:

16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

There are some people I know right now who are worthy of defending. I’ve prayed a lot about them over the last few days. Raise up defenders in your church for them. Love them. Encourage them. Use their persecution to draw them closer to yourself. Use it to draw all of us closer to you.

Gospel Reading

Finally, there is the one I was wanting to get to. In Luke 18:9-14, Luke prefaced Jesus’s parable about the two men who went to the temple to pray by saying, “Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” Man, do those words ring true right now in our current society. People are claiming the high ground and righteousness in your name and using that as justification to abuse others, discount others, and, frankly, bully others.

Holy Spirit, show me the areas in my life where I am that arrogant person who needs to repent and not despise. Help me to be part of offering your comfort to the oppressed. Help me to be part of your solution in working with the disenfranchised and suffering. I have prayed a lot this morning for particular people. Hear my prayer, Oh, God!

I pray this through Jesus my Lord,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 23, 2022 in 2 Timothy, Luke, Psalms, Sirach

 

“Give Me Revelation” by Third Day

21 Oct

“Give me Revelation” by Third Day

My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now, I am left alone and I am broken
Trying to find my way
Trying to find the faith that’s gone

This time I know that You are holding all the answers
And I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances
On roads that never seem
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
‘Cause I’ve been trying
To find my way
I haven’t got a clue

Tell me should I stay here
Or do I need to move?
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn, I’m always finding
That I am lost again
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
‘Cause I’ve been trying
To find my way
I haven’t got a clue

Tell me should I stay here
Or do I need to move?
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without

I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me, when will I learn?
Won’t You show me where I need to go?
Let me follow Your lead
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
‘Cause I’ve been trying
To find my way
I haven’t got a clue

Tell me should I stay here
Or do I need to move?
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

No, oh no, oh no
Oh, give me a revelation
Oh Lord, oh no
I’ve got nothing, now, without You
I’ve got nothing, now, without You

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: David Carr / Mark Lee / Tai Anderson / Johnny Powell / Brad Avery

Dear God, I need some revelation this morning. I needed it yesterday. I’ll need it tomorrow.

Yesterday, I prayed about not getting my branches pulled from your vine. I asked the Holy Spirit to show me when I started to let things of the world disquiet my spirit. I’m glad I did because things ended up happening that definitely disquieted by spirit.

Yesterday, I saw some good people who were in pain. Their only goal in life is to help children and their families, but there is a group of watchdogs in the community who are justifying their existence through their activism and what I think they consider to be righteous anger.

Today, I have some decisions to make. It’s time for me to act. What am I to do? This is where I need your revelation. Show me what to do. I’m trying to find my way. I know I shouldn’t stay here and that I need to move (not geographically move, but taking action instead of blithely standing by). I need to seek out your Holy Spirit and your still, small voice as I work on this issue. I need to seek out Godly counsel. I need wisdom from my wife. I need to know what to do and how to do it. And I need the strength to go through the fallout I will experience from my actions.

Father, I mean this prayer as deeply as I can mean it. Please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Give me the courage to change the things I can, and show me how to act in that change. And please grant me the wisdom to know the difference between what you are calling me to do and not calling me to do. Holy Spirit, whisper in my ear. Speak to me through wise counsel. And please show your love to those I see as causing harm. If they are wrong and I am right then please reveal yourself to them through whatever means you need. If I am wrong then reveal yourself to me. In the likely event we are both a little wrong and a little right, please work to unite us. And don’t let this pain be wasted. Make it count. Finally, for the damaged and abused people I saw yesterday and everyone like them that they represent, please minister to them. Love them. Encourage them. Be God to them. Holy Spirit, use this pain in their lives as well. Don’t let it be wasted. Refine us all for your glory.

I pray this through the love of Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 21, 2022 in Hymns and Songs, Uncategorized

 

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Luke 12:49-52

20 Oct

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
Luke 12:49-52

Dear God, my first thought when I read this passage this morning was, “Mission accomplished!” It feels like it’s all burning right now. It feels like the division has happened.

I’ve always seen this as you/Jesus being the one to instigate the division. You were the provocateur. But I wonder if it isn’t the world that gets so frustrated with your disciples that they are the provocateurs and the disciples are simply living their lives in peace. It can be very frustrating for a person who is not at peace to encounter someone who is at peace. It’s as if they are asking, “Why are you not as bothered as I am?” “Why are you not as scared as I am?” “Why are you not as insecure as I am?” As a disciple, the trick is to keep my branch truly connected to you and be close enough to your Holy Spirit so that the moment I start to slip into a worldly perspective I can recognize it and cling to you even harder.

Holy Spirit, please be with me. Guide me. Comfort me. Counsel me. Teach me. Convict me. Live through me so that others will be drawn to you. Do it all for your glory so that I am giving my utmost to you for your highest.

I pray this through Jesus, my Lord,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 20, 2022 in Luke

 

Luke 12:35-38

19 Oct

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
Luke 12:35-38

Dear God, I grew up in a period of the late 20th century when rapture talk was very prevalent. I went to a private school for part of sixth grade, and they showed us the movie A Thief in the Night which was about people who experienced the Tribulation because they missed the Rapture. Now that I think about it, I had a New Testament class in college and I remember the professor spending some time on theology debates between the Rapture being pre-Tribulation or post-Tribulation.

Recently, I heard a podcast that discussed how many children in the 80s and and 90s were scared into faith through Tribulation-Gospel. One woman talked about a friend whose family staged a Rapture to show her what it would feel like if she were “left behind” (which happens to be the name of a fictional Christian book and eventual movie series of the time that focused on all of this). She came in and everyone was gone. Things were left undone (e.g. pile of clothes, water running, etc.). She was terrified. And it worked. It put her over the edge in her decision to submit to you and accept Jesus and his grace. But was it the right thing to do?

Back to this passage, I simply can’t live my life with the idea that I’m doing it for the day of the Rapture. That motivator wouldn’t work for more than a week or two. No, I need to see something deeper. For me, it’s about being ready through my relationship with you for anything that might come my way. It’s about attaching my branch to your vine and experiencing your peace in any given moment. It’s about giving the Holy Spirit good soil in my heart to grow the fruit you need me to have for my sake and the sakes of those around me. It’s about putting me in position to hear your still, small voice. It’s about keeping me from sin and clinging to your mercy when I fail. No, it’s not for the Rapture/Second Coming. My readiness is for whatever life might bring me today. Help me to be ready.

I pray all of this through Jesus name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 19, 2022 in Luke

 

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Luke 12:13-21

17 Oct

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:13-21

Dear God, I had someone ask me an interesting question today: “How do you know if you are a Christian?” She had been discussing it in a Bible study with two other women. I returned her question with a question. I asked her, “What do you mean by your question? Do you mean, ‘How do I know I have my fire insurance [will get into Heaven]’, or do you mean, ‘How do I know if I am a Christian right now in my life?'” Then we talked a while about those two answers.

I’m thinking about that now because of the last line in verse 21: “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” My answer to the second question was that being a Christian happens in a few steps. Step 1 is to repent before you and ask Jesus life, death, and resurrection to cover my sins. There are other steps beyond that involving discipleship, prayer, Christian community, etc. Those are important to maintaining a Christian life that is as an ambassador for you in the world. No good ambassador ignores the will of that which she or he represents. And you have to know the will of the one you represent through relationship, study, and communication. So that’s all important. But none of it can happen unless I first submit to your Lordship, ask for your forgiveness through Jesus, and then turn from my selfish life and into you.

Father, I don’t know what kinds of stores I will have in this life. Right now, I have some equity in my home, retirement accounts and savings. I have life insurance to benefit my wife should I die. I have practically no debt. So, yes, I have stored up some treasures. And my goal isn’t so that I can one day retire into a life of luxury. Frankly, there isn’t enough there for that. But it is there for the day when I am too old to be of value doing work that will bring enough financial return to support my wife and me. I hope there’s enough for that. But I am comfortable that I’m at least in relationship with you. Sure, I don’t worship as much as I should. I realize that I miss the opportunities to be your ambassador all over the place. However, I’m here, giving you my utmost for your highest. And doing it as humbly as I can. Thank you for the grace I need so that you can be here to meet with me.

I pray this through the forgiveness afforded to me through Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 17, 2022 in Luke

 

Exodus 17:8-13

16 Oct

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’-hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13

Dear God, I really don’t give the power of prayer enough credit. This is the Old Testament reading for church today. The Gospel reading is from Luke 18:1-8. It’s the story of the widow who petitions the dishonest judge relentlessly about injustice done to her until he relents and addresses her issue. Both stories indicate to me that I need to take petitioning prayer—supplication—much more seriously. I’m good at praying to you about how I’m forming my faith. Like now. This topic. Thinking through how I view you and supplication. Praying to you about it. I’m good at that part. I’m pretty good at worshipping you in my prayers. I’m okay at repenting and confessing my sin to you. But supplication…well, I do it, but my expectations are limited.

I think one of the reasons I lower my expectations is because I don’t want to underestimate how your timing might be involved. You have a plan that is wiser than mine. You have a perspective that is complete while mine is partial. For some of the things for which I pray, the timing might not yet be right. If you did what I wanted you to do when I want you to do it then it might short-circuit the greater work you are wanting to do.

Holy Spirit, teach me to pray both more expectantly and patiently. Raise up people around me like Aaron and Hur. Not that I’m Moses, but when I’m praying, give me people who will strengthen me and help me persevere through the battle. For the cries of my heart, even as I sit here, please bring your healing. For physical issues. For relationships. For internal wounds that are bound as secrets, bring your healing.

I pray this through my Lord, Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2022 in Exodus, Luke

 

Luke 11:1-10

15 Oct

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Dear God, a couple of days ago I asked you for something fairly boldly while praying with my wife. It’s been a couple of years of silence on this issue, but I felt compelled to pray about it that day. Then, I was surprised later that day when my wife contacted me and told me there had been a breakthrough. I immediately thought back to my prayer with her that morning. Are you moving? Did the Holy Spirit prompt me to pray about it? What could be next?

When my wife and I pray together nearly every day, we pray for a lot of things and a lot of people. Some of it feels hopeless. Some of it feels like a waste of time. And some of it feels like simple duty. I love these people, and although it feels hopeless to pray for it I have a duty to pray for them. So I pray. I don’t quite understand how my prayers work. I don’t know how much they change you/your mind, how much they empower your Spirit and/or angels to work, or how much they just change and shape me. According to this passage, my prayers have the potential to actually change your mind and move you into action. That seems amazing to me. I can see them inviting your power into a situation and increasing it. I can see them changing me and my heart. But to get you to change course? Is the fate of the world really dependent upon what your people ask for in prayer?

Father, I guess the prayer today is that you would teach me to pray. I’ve never been as good as my wife at intercessory prayer. I wonder if you are calling me to be better at it. So, Holy Spirit, lay something on my heart for which I should pray at an intense intercessory level. And if it moves you into action where there would otherwise have been no action, so much the better, but use it to speak to me and grow my heart towards yours.

I pray this through Jesus, my Lord,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 15, 2022 in Luke

 

Galatians 5:18-25

12 Oct

18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 5:18-25

Dear God, I was thinking this morning that I’ve been spending so much time in the Old Testament through the Bible in a Year Podcast this year that I am kind of missing the New Testament. I looked at what the New Testament reading is today for the Catholic church and, low and behold, it was one of my favorite passages–the fruits of the Spirit. Yay!

Verse 18 is fascinating (shocking?) and needs a little more context. I’m not under the law if I’m directed by the Holy Spirit?!? What does that mean? Well, here is the verse right before that:

17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:17

I have a particular assignment today that makes me nervous. I’m starting to mentor a boy who likely has a troubled life. I’m nervous. I’ve mentored two other boys through the Academic Boosters mentoring program, and neither turned out like I had hoped. Will this one go better? Did I make any kind of an impression on the other two boys? Will you be able to impact this child through me?

My wife and I were praying to you together this morning, and I prayed about this. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would lead me in my interactions with the boy. And now here I am reading about the Spirit guiding me. So I’m trusting that the Holy Spirit–you, Holy Spirit–will be with me today.

Holy Spirit, Father, Jesus, channel through me today. Guide me. Help me. Help me with this boy. Help me at work. Help me with my wife and children. Help me with my family. Speak to me in your still, small voice and love through me.

I pray this through the privilege afforded to me through Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 12, 2022 in Galatians

 

“Living Water, Bread of Life” by 4Him

11 Oct

“Living Water, Bread of Life” by 4Him

Like a deer, panting for the water
I was thirsting for so long, I was so dry
So I set out on my journey, not sure what I would find
But I found an everlastin’ river of life

Ooh, it’s just like fallin’ rain
I will never thirst again

Living Water, Bread of Life
Come and quench this thirst within me
Fill this hunger deep inside
For so long I have been empty

Nothing else will satisfy
You alone are what I need, Lord
Living Water, Bread of Life

I had looked this whole world over for the answer
Wanting just to fill this void inside
All the things that were material, they could not satisfy
For my hungering was for the Bread of Life

Ooh, it came like manna from above
I can never get enough

Living Water, Bread of Life
Come and quench this thirst within me
Fill this hunger deep inside
For so long I have been empty

Nothing else will satisfy
You alone are what I need, Lord

Living Water, Bread of Life
Come and quench this thirst within me
Fill this hunger deep inside
For so long I have been empty

Nothing else will satisfy
You alone are what I need, Lord
Living Water, Bread of Life
Living Water, Bread of Life

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Mark R. Harris

Dear God, I couldn’t tell you what the dream was about last night, but I know that in the dream I heard this song playing and I was singing along with it passionately. Well, I figure that’s worth a deeper dive.

As I thought about this song this morning while I was getting showered and dressed for work, I had a couple of thoughts. One of my thoughts was about the story from John 4 when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. In John 4:10, Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” I know the lyrics are largely based on Psalm 42, but I thought about Jesus referencing the living water that comes from him.

The other thought was about a discussion I heard yesterday on a podcast about what is important to Evangelical Christians. According to a survey, what did they believe were absolutes and what were they more unsure about as a group. It was only about half who understood Jesus is part of you and your nature. As the creed says, “Begotten, not made.” But over 90% believed in sexual purity and that it should only be in the context of traditional marriage. There was more agreement in how we should treat sex (although most of us don’t live out that purity) than there was about the nature of who you are. That got me to thinking about why we become Christians. Why we do what we do. When I was a kid, a lot of the sermons I heard were about me getting my “fire insurance” so I wouldn’t go to hell.

That’s where I want to combine these two thoughts. The woman at the well is us. The living water is what we, as Christians, are offering to the world. Life lived in communion with you might not always be easy. It absolutely won’t be easy. But it can be peaceful with a peace that passes all understanding.

Holy Spirit, be with me today. As I work with our staff, volunteer, patients, and old friends. As I love my wife. As I love my children and family. As I love you. Be my counselor, my comforter, my instructor, and my convictor. Show me the Father. Jesus, teach me. Father, draw me near. My Triune God, I worship you.

I pray this through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 11, 2022 in Hymns and Songs, Miscellaneous

 

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Malachi 3:1-4

10 Oct

3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Malachi 3:1-4

Dear God, my wife told me that these first three verses constitute three separate songs in Handel’s Messiah. As he wrote his tribute to the life of Jesus, these verses of prophecy must have captured his imagination. I have spent next to zero time in the book of Malachi in my life. This might be the first time I’ve journaled on anything from it. But knowing that three of these four verses impacted Handel so much has made me want to look at them more closely.

“The messenger of the covenant, whom [I] desire, will come.” Okay, I don’t know if the “you” in the verse pertains to me, but since I’m taking this verse into my modern era, it’s pretty easy to apply it to myself. What about right now, sitting here on October 10, 2022. Am I waiting for a messenger of the covenant? Obviously, Jesus has already come, so I’m not waiting for the Messiah to come. But am I listening for you now?

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” Am I ready to be refined? Am I ready for the launderer’s soap? Of course not. I have so much dross in my silver it’s ridiculous. I’m still very selfish. Lazy. Judgmental. I don’t love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I love some neighbors as myself, but certainly not all of them. How will you work on me? How are you currently working on me? Am I up to it? The good news is that part of Jesus’s coming was to provide a way for me to “endure” and “stand.” That’s the irony. He brings the realization of my sins, but then provides the means by which I am cleansed of them with his refiner’s fire and launderer’s soap.

“Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.” Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus, thank you for making a path for me to bring my pitiful offerings in righteousness. Thank you for counting me, a Gentile, as one of your own. Be gentle as you refine and cleanse me. But also be effective as well. Make me into the man you need me to be.

I pray this through the cleansing that Jesus gave me,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 10, 2022 in Malachi

 
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