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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.

John 3:17

26 May

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17

Dear God, my first introduction to this verse (the little known verse that follows the most famous verse in the Bible—John 3:16) was in church when I was in high school. As part of his benediction each week, our pastor would pick a couple of verses and and pronounce them over the congregation for a year. One year, he picked John 16 AND 17.

In this version, it says that you didn’t send Jesus into the world to “judge” the world. The NIV that my pastor used at the time used the word “condemn” instead. That’s the word that I hear when I hear this. And it was only recently that I put it together that Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus for this little rant. This is part of the whole “how can a person enter into his mother’s womb a second time” conversation. In the end, this encounter made a huge difference in Nicodemus’ life and it completely changed his trajectory.

That being said, it seems that you had a very specific purpose for sending Jesus into the world and it goes back to love. You are our father just constantly sending out love. My wife recently tried to describe the love that a parent has for their child to someone who has no children. They couldn’t understand why someone would absorb rejection and keep reaching out anyway. She told the young woman that there was really no way to explain it until she had children of her own. We have all rejected you and disappointed you so many times, and yet you keep reaching out, doing everything you can to be there for us and what we need.

Father, I am reaching back. I accept your love and I’m doing my best to return it. Being a father myself, I know that there is something to be said for earnestness, so I am sure my earnestness, inadequate as it may be, combined with your grace is enough for you. So thank you. Thank you for loving me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2018 in John

 

James 1:19

25 May

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

James 1:19

Dear God, James is correct that listening is the key, and oh, how I can be a bad listener. I love to talk. It’s probably a function of my insecurity. I want people to hear what I have to say, but I have got to be better about listening. Even when showing someone the nonprofit where I work, while giving a tour I know I should be asking them questions about themselves and trying to gauge how much interest they have in our work versus the work of another nonprofit, but I just sit there and yammer on about what we do. Yes, I am a bad listener.

But I think the key to what James is saying here is that being slow to anger and loving others is a function of good listening and compassion. When I think about it, my anger is usually driven by the decisions other people make. It’s hard to think of a time that I was angry and it was NOT related to something someone did. But if I can sit there and really listen to someone else, even people I don’t know like politicians, and understand why they are making the decisions they are making, it will be more likely to engage my empathy and then that will drive my sympathy for their point of view. Very few people are bad, evil people. Almost always, they are being driven by forces that are unseen by me, but in their mind the forces make their decision obviously right instead of obviously wrong, as I see it.

Father, this is a lesson of which I need to be reminded over and over again. Help me to remember to seek you and pray through difficult situations with others in real time. Help me to listen to them and to process the text and the subtext of what they are saying. Help me to be strong in empathy and slow to anger. Help me to draw on the grace that you give me as I try to extend grace and love to others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 25, 2018 in James

 

Romans 12:9-10

24 May

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:9-10

Dear God, why? Why do I have to love others? Why is it better to give than to receive? Of course, the answers are pretty obvious, but the failure to really think about the danger of being a self-absorbed narcissist who never shares my time, money, love, or grace with someone else can keep me from truly learning how to let go of my own life and find my peace in you.

I try to remember back to who I was before I started giving more of my time to nonprofit causes. My wife and I have always given our money to things. We have tithed and given extra since before we were married. But I didn’t start getting out of my bubble and experiencing the world through the point of view of others until right at 15 years ago. Now I can feel the disconnect between me and friends and family who don’t do this. I see, especially on Facebook, people whom I know love you and have loving hearts who lack empathy or an ability to embrace the idea that they don’t understand the legitimate reasons that lead others to make decisions that are contrary to their own decisions. Loving others richly really does help open someone up to the concept of just how small and unwise we can be.

Father, “not that I have already attained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12). Help me to love well today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 24, 2018 in Philippians, Romans

 

Romans 14:20-15:2

23 May

Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

Romans 14:20-15:2

Dear God, the whole issue of what constitutes a sin in your eyes and what doesn’t is one that, again, Satan ha successfully used to divide Christians for the last 2,000 years—and it started almost immediately in the early church. And that’s just over the issue of “right and wrong.” Some examples of this would be drinking alcohol, premarital sex, same sex relationships/marriage, etc.

But then we get into differences in theology, which can be even more vague and have a potential to be man-made. Examples of this would be infant baptism, alcohol, musical instruments in worship, and even whether you can use anything but the King James Bible.

Man, we love to judge each other. And I confess to you that I do it. Growing up Baptist and now attending a Catholic church with my wife, there is a temptation to judge all kinds of things that I see because they a different than what I learned growing up. I emphasize those two words because a lot of us assume what we learned originally is the truth, but when we examine it more closely we start to realize that it has the potential to be as flawed as the thing we are criticizing.

Father, you cannot make me an instrument of your peace when I am going around judging people on a wholesale level. So help me to major in the majors, keep myself pure according to how you convict me, and love everyone I can.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 23, 2018 in Romans

 

Galatians 5:13-15

22 May

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Galatians 5:13-15

Dear God, what does this freedom look like? The only way to experience this true freedom is to start with true repentance. That’s the only gateway to the freedom you offer. The person who just says, “God forgives me,” without first coming to the foot of the cross, denying themselves, confessing their sin to you, consciously turning from their sin and then receiving your forgiveness will never experience the freedom you have for all of us.

It’s interesting because freedom is a word I have used with my wife when talking about some friends who seem to be living with a lot of shame and pride. I’ve said, “There is freedom waiting for them if they will just let go of the secrets they are hiding and allow them to be exposed.” In some cases the secrets are what they did that I happen to know about. In other cases they are things that I suspect happened to them. Either way, they seem to be locked into a cycle of deception and angst.

There’s a Dennis Jernigan song where the chorus says, “I wish I could take your heart into my heart. I wish I could show you just how good it feels to let go of the things you know are killing you and cling to the only one who can heal you. But I know if I did then it wouldn’t be you. Cuz you, you’re the only one choosing for you. It’s true.”

Father, let it start with me. Let me know if there is anything I need to bring before your throne, repent, and receive freedom. And help me to know how to offer your gift of freedom to friends and those around me whom I truly love.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 22, 2018 in Galatians

 

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

21 May

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Dear God, there are a lot of things that come to mind as I read these passages. Of course, there’s the whole unity thing. But I guess what I’m thinking about is how people were apparently taking sides based upon who they liked best or baptized them. Apollos. Cephas. Paul. Christ (that group got it right—but it could have been for the wrong reason). There’s a pride that is implied with this that is cancerous.

I was reading a book last night, and the author was talking about the people from whom he has learned the most and the common theme among them was that they had the self assuredness they needed to be humble. They didn’t need to put others down. In fact, they were comfortable lifting others up. I hope I’m that kind of person.

Father, I know you love me and I’m grateful for that love. Help me to be willing to do anything you need me to do, even at my own expense, for the sake of your glory and the drawing of others closer to you. And help me to be united to my fellow Christians. Whether I follow “Baptist,” “Catholic,” “Methodist,” “Presbyterian,” etc., help all of us to work together so that your kingdom will come and your will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 21, 2018 in 1 Corinthians

 

Acts 2:1-4

20 May

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4

Dear God, I never thought about this before, but apparently you don’t need much of an invitation to show up in a big way. This group of people loved you. They prayed for you. They were probably praying for direction. But they never imagined what you could do or how you would show up.

That’s the thing I guess. We never really know what we are praying for. We think we know what we want or need, but we really don’t. I’ve prayed for jobs that didn’t work out, circumstances for my children that went a different way, and provision for friends and relatives that seem to have gone unheard. But you are there. Sometimes you have something even better waiting for me. Sometimes you just know it’s better if I don’t get what I want. Sometimes my getting a “no” will mean someone else getting a “yes.”

Father, make me patient with your will. As the father of two grown children, I am now in the biggest game of “trust” with you in which I’ve ever been. I am trusting that you will answer our prayers for our children and who they are in you, but I also know that it might take decades to see it come to pass. I might not see it on this side of death. The same goes for other family members, friends, and family about whom I am concerned. It also goes for my community, my state, my country, and my world. So today I will do what I can best discern I am supposed to do, wait on the Holy Spirit to move, and worship you (not necessarily in that order).

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 20, 2018 in Acts

 

James 3:14-16

19 May

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 3:14-16

Dear God, so the way I read this is that James is saying, if you’re a jealous, insecure person then the best things to do is realize it in yourself, own it, and admit it to the world. Then at least people will know that you know who you are and have at least that amount of respect for you.

So what are the negative things I need to own? One that always comes to mind quickly is insecurity and a need to be impressive to others. I really care about how others see me. One of the biggest problems that causes me is in the area of not being confrontational enough when it’s required. It’s a problem.

It also makes me a needy person. I took a personality test one time that basically said that I was confident but I need a lot of compliments. I paraphrased it to say that I’m arrogant, but it needs fed. For a long time, probably the first eight-ish years of my marriage, my neediness was very draining on my wife until I started to be able to see what she meant and realized how a lack of relationship with you contributed to it. But the closer I get to you the less needy I am.

Father, even as I try to leave behind my weaknesses I’m reminded now that I can’t just consciously let them go. I have to leave them through drawing closer to you. So help me to do that. Let the fruit of the Spirit crowd out the thorns and thistles of my flesh so that I might be the man you are calling me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 19, 2018 in James

 

Hebrews 6:1

18 May

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Hebrews 6:1

Dear God, I’m sure I’ve read this verse before, and I probably had the same reaction them that I am having now. I think this is one of my problems with the majority of the preaching I hear on Sunday mornings. The lessons that pastors teach are from the same playbook I’ve heard my whole life: God is love. There is grace for you. Love others.

Growing up, the pastor of my formative years really, really, really focused on your grace every week. I am probably being unfair, but my memory is that every week was a call to accept your grace and let go. And that was great as far as it gave me a very healthy attitude about your unconditional love for me. But when I got college I started to hear more sophisticated Bible teaching that encouraged me, challenged me, and helped me to start to enrich myself.

So now I’ve started to think about leading a local Bible study, with a focus being on getting men from a cross section of the community. Some lower class. Some middle class. Even some upper class. I’m not sure what it would look like. I’m not sure who I could get to come—or who you would bring to it. But I’m thinking this might be something for me to consider this fall. If we say we want to bring you to our community and we want our community to embrace you, doesn’t it include something like this?

Father, help me to really hear you and find you through this. I don’t want to do anything that’s not of you, and I don’t want to do it in a way that leaves out your blessing. Guide me, give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and the will to completely submit to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 18, 2018 in Hebrews

 

17 May

A Might Fortress is our God – by Martin Luther

1

A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

2

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

4

That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God’s truth abideth still,

His Kingdom is forever.

Dear God, My wife told me about a funeral She went to yesterday that sounds redemptive and incredible. The young man was apparently plagued by alcoholism and depression and they confronted it head on. The service apparently opened with this hymn. My wife told me it really fit because of how the hymn references all of the demons and how you are our refuge and protector.

So I got to thinking about this hymn and its meaning. Until she mentioned it this morning, I don’t know that I had ever really paid attention to it. And it’s ironic since the best funeral I’ve ever been to opened with this hymn as well, but it was played by a brass quintet.

The two men who had died at each funeral could not have been more different from each other. One was old and had spent his whole life in Christian ministry, although he had struggled with clinical depression. The other was young and had never been able to overcome the alcoholism and depression. But you were turns and still are, in their deaths and afterlives, a mighty fortress to them.

Father, be my mighty fortress today. Be glorified through me. Love others through me. Help me to completely seek you as I handle each issue that comes my way today. In Jesus’ name I pray,Amen

 
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Posted by on May 17, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 
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