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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.

Matthew 5:8

26 Mar

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Dear God, this one verse was the focus for the My Utmost for His Highest devotion today so I thought I would just spend a little time with just these words.

So what does it mean to 1.) have a pure heart and 2.) see you? I think having a pure heart starts with, in my own eyes, me becoming less and less and you becoming more and more. The more I decrease and the more you increase in my own eyes the less I seek out worldly pleasures that will feed my ego, and look to worldly things to heal my emotional wounds. I love to get praise and attention. If I’m not getting what I want, I love to feel sorry for myself. All of that leads to an impure heart.

So what does seeing you mean? I assume it means seeing you in the afterlife, but I think it means something now too. I think it means that I get to lose myself in you and that enables me to both know you better and see the world and others the way you see it. In our church group last night, we talked about not judging others. I think that only truly happens when we have allowed ourselves to “decrease” to the point where we only see you and love others through your perspective on them.

Father, I will continue on this journey. I am not there yet. I still have so much desire for personal acclamation. I’m sorry for that. But, with your help, I will get better today. I worship you as my Lord and my God.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2018 in Matthew, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 

25 Mar

So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Dear God, these last two sentences are great. I find it interesting that John’s disciples are jealous of the Messiah’s success. They were obviously enjoying the fame and attention they were getting by hanging out with this odd, but Godly guy. Now, they saw Jesus having more “success” than John (and maybe they had some personal rivalries with Jesus’ disciples) so they were concerned.

But since John was their teacher, you were able to teach them through John. The lesson? Jesus is greater. Celebrate his success. He must increase and all of us must decrease. I wonder what the conversations among them were like after this teaching from John. How did they handle this—especially since John was close to being arrested.

Father, help me to yield to your instruction. Help me to decrease and you increase. Help me to do whatever I can to bring glory to you and deflect it from myself. Help me to love. Help me to worship. Help me to do everything you have for me to do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 25, 2018 in John

 

Romans 6:23 (and 3:23, and 10:9-10)

24 Mar

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23

Dear God, I’ve never been much of a scripture memorizer, but Romans 6:23 is one that my high school youth minister had us memorize as he taught us how to lead someone to you: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10. Those were to be our go-to verses. Funny how I can remember that over 30 years later. I’d say that’s the evidence of an effective youth minister.

Thinking of our sin and being a slave to it, I had a—oh, what’s the word—I’ll say tricky conversation with a friend yesterday morning. He was talking about some things his 17-year-old son is doing that concern him from a sinfulness standpoint. He and his wife have told the son they disapprove. They’ve had him talk with the youth minister at their church with seemingly little effect. I wasn’t sure how to counsel him because I’m actually not sure where I am on the topic. It’s a complicated world. My best advice to him was to make sure that, above all else, their son feels loved. Loved by them, loved by the youth minister, but most of all, loved by you.

I talked to my wife about the situation over lunch and she had really wise words—“I guess my question would be, what do you hope to accomplish? Are you trying to convince him he’s wrong because you can’t convince or convict a 17-year-old of anything?” Yes, that’s right. It’s the Holy Spirit that convicts and our heart chooses how to respond.

Father, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. And if you confess with my mouth the Jesus is Lord, and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead then you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Save me, Father. I believe in Jesus. I confess that He is my Lord. Take care of my friend’s son and help all of them to work this out before the glory of your throne.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 24, 2018 in Romans

 

Luke 24:27-32

22 Mar

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:27-32

Dear God, I’m trying to imagine the first people who sat down to make these new types of church retreats they were starting. Whomever came up with Emmaus Walk did a good job. A time where Jesus/the Holy Spirit uses a time set apart for revealing the scriptures and Jesus’ true nature to someone. The same can be said of ACTS Retreats. In the same way that the book of Acts is about the evolution of the early church, ACTS Retreats are about a person of no faith being exposed to Jesus’ power, grace, and glory (much like Paul), and current believers to work out their faith to a deeper understanding (much like Peter).

Retreats are good things. I’ve been on many in my life. I’ve had four or five that totally transformed my life. The four that come to mind are the FCA Leadership Conference that taught me about discipleship when I was 17, the couples retreat at Laity Lodge when I was 24 that helped me reconcile myself to the life you had put me in, the study retreat at Laity Lodge in April when I was 30 that revealed to me my need for scripture and started these prayer journals, and the retreat at Laity Lodge when I was 45 that helped me let go of trying to recapture a life I had loved but was now gone, and start to build a new life that was different but still good. Yes, you have taught me a lot when I can get away with you.

Father, help me to continue to discipline myself to find those moments with you when you can take me to the next level of my growth in you. I am not there yet, but at least I know that I’m not there yet. I will try to stay the course and see what you do to me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 22, 2018 in Luke

 

21 Mar

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Dear God, the verses for today were 7 and 8, but I don’t think they are complete without 5 and 6. One of my main jobs is fundraising for the nonprofit where I work. There are times when I remember to pray to you about organization, our work, our funding, etc., but there are also times when I inadvertently put my hope in people because they are the ones who write the checks. It’s a tricky balance. I know that my most powerful experiences have been through seeking your provision and then having something extraordinary happen, but too often I forget that and start looking to others for my provision.

In what other areas of my life does this manifest itself? The first thing that comes to mind is politics. We expect our politicians and judges to fight our battles for us instead of getting our hands dirty ourselves. Instead of looking to your power and asking you what you would have me do (besides throw my weight behind a corrupt politician with whom I have little in common except for my stance on abortion).

Father, I want to be nourished by you so deeply that you just absolutely flow through me in the worst of droughts. I want to be inspired by you and use that inspiration to attract others to you. You are my God. Help me to plant myself in the middle of your living water and not next to someone else just because I think I can get something I want from them. Help me to get next to them for their sake and your glory, not mine.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 21, 2018 in Jeremiah

 

1 Peter 2:2-3

20 Mar

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

1 Peter 2:2-3

Dear God, in my prayer time with my wife this morning I found myself praying for something I don’t think I’ve ever prayed before. Then I read this passage and it seemed to fit.

We are facing a couple of frustrating situations right now, and there are times when we want to just throw our hands up in anger and say, “Fine! Whatever!” and give up. So my prayer was that we would be able to move through these situations the best we ever have. That we would take this opportunity to seek your counsel and peace and really see what it means to live in communion with your spirit. We need to use these trials (and “trials” is overstated—the situations aren’t at that level) to grow and not miss this chance to grow closer to you.

Father, give me wisdom, discernment, mercy and grace. In fact, now that I think of it, all of the fruits of the spirit are exactly what I need right now: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. I need all of these right now. I look to you as my source of anything good that comes out of me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 20, 2018 in 1 Peter

 

Galatians 5:24-26

19 Mar

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Galatians 5:24-26

Dear God, there is a lot in these three verses. 1.) I should nail my passions and sinful nature to the cross. 2.) I should follow the Spirit’s leading in every area of my life. 3.) I need to not be conceited. 4.) I need to not provoke others. 5.) I need to not be jealous of others.

Each of these is worthy of its own prayer journal, but I want to focus on #2–following the Spirit. I have two or three things (that I know of) happening today that will require a lot of leading and wisdom. There’s some emotion wrapped up in them. There’s some fear of man in there too. I don’t want to offend or hurt someone’s feelings, but I also don’t want to spare their feelings and neglect an issue that’s more important. But what I really don’t want to do is address anything today without you.

Father, I know my tendency is to do things on my own, and I’m sorry for that. Holy Spirit, lead me today. Lead me in the moment? Give me your sense of clarity and peace. Show me what you would have me do so that I will be a source of your presence in the world and so that your will will be done on earth through me and my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 19, 2018 in Galatians

 

“Hymn of Promise” & I Can Only Imagine (the movie)

18 Mar

“Hymn of Promise”

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our End is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, In our death a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Dear God, I was struck by this poem/song from a funeral I attended yesterday and I decided to keep the program so I could talk with. You about it later. Now is the later.

My life of faith and following you is such a frustrating process because I seem to be incapable of seeing at any given moment how far I have to go. Maybe that’s for my own good–after all, I’m a firm believer in the concept that you keep me on a need-to-know basis–but my life seems to be a slow process. I read this poem and it reminds me that there is so much that we don’t/can’t see and reassures me that you can.

I just came back from the movie “I Can Only Imagine.” It’s a Christian movie. No offense meant to you, but I usually avoid Christian movies because I too often take issue with their presentation. I saw the preview for this one, however, and decided to take a chance. The song of the same title that is woven through the movie meant a lot to me when I first heard it in church about 16 years ago, and the preview made it look like it would deal with humanity in an honest way. I was right to take a chance. It was good.

For the first third of the movie, I was wondering if the main character’s father was really the protagonist in the story (much like in Star Wars Episodes 1-6, the real protagonist is Anakin Skywalker and not Luke like we are led to believe in Episode 4). He seemed to be the one who was driving the story. But as the movie played out, I started to see a different message. This wasn’t a movie about a terribly sinful man repenting and cleaning up his act (that would have been the kind of lazy writing that keeps me from watching Christian movies). Instead, it was about a son who clung to you as a child, but didn’t figure out how to do it and to be free for another 15 years. He tried. He did a lot of things right on paper. He loved you. He worshipped you. He tried to make a living doing Christian/Godly things. But it took a while before his heart was transformed.

I texted a friend after the movie that we all wish that becoming a mature Christian could be done with a microwave, but the process seems to be more akin to a crockpot. It’s a slow cook. You have to tenderize us and soak us in your juices. Our hardness needs to be broken down. Those are things a microwave just can’t do.

Father, if I’m doing this thing of following and worshipping you right, then the thing that I have to accept is that I am not there yet. I know you better and love others better now than I did five years ago. I hope I will know you even better and love others even more five years from now. I am not home yet, but when I am there, “I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me. I can only imagine. Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine. I can only imagine when that day comes, and I find myself standing in the Sun. I can only imagine when all I can do is forever, forever worship you. I can only imagine.”

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 18, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

The 23rd Psalm – “If I Stand”

17 Mar

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

Dear God, as I just read this, I was trying to separate out all of the times I’ve heard and read this in my life, and try to see the words from David’s perspective. What was he experiencing at the time? Was he at a high spot, worshipping you, or was he in a valley and trying to remind himself of your goodness? As the modern church we seem to have grasped the “valley” part and adopted it for funerals. In fact, I’m going to a funeral this afternoon and the odds are probably even that I’ll hear it read there.

It made me think about a song by Rich Mullins called “If I Stand.” He said that he wrote it for the times in his life when he was doing great and things were at a high and also for the low times.

(Chorus) If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. And if I can’t let me fall on the grave that first brought me to you. And if I sing let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs. And if I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.”

Things can get awfully confusing in the moment. As a human with a small mind I so much lack perspective. And things can also turn on a dime. I can be feeling great and secure one moment and literally five minutes later be scared and confused. I think maybe one of the things this psalm tells me is that, at the deepest of levels, I can be at peace in any situation. Whether I’m in the green meadow or the valley of darkness or death, I am still you lamb and you are still my shepherd. Ultimately, as my shepherd, you’re going to do with me as you will, but that’s okay with me because you are good and even if your plan for me isn’t what I would choose, I worship you, submit to you, and trust you.

Father, help me to mean and live out what I just said. Help me to be your servant in every situation and to learn what you would have me to do in sharing this with others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 17, 2018 in Hymns and Songs, Psalms

 

Colossians 3:12-15

16 Mar

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

Dear God, I want to focus on these two verses: “Above all, clothe yourself in love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony…For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.”

What does it really look like to clothe myself in love? First, I can’t REALLY do it without being submitted to and in relationship with you. If I’m not with you then my heart turns selfish and dark. If I’m not examining myself, seeking out my own sin and then repenting of it, then I’m not going to have as much latitude for the sins of others.

Second, I just have to stop and have some empathy for people. The more I try to see the world from someone else’s perspective the more I am able to have compassion for their actions. The vast majority of people see themselves as good and making good decisions. For them, if they aren’t, it isn’t as much on purpose as it is a result of a brokenness in their lives. I know that’s how it seems to work for me.

Finally, there’s my own conscious decision to apply these principles. This is where I am too selective in my application of love. I still judge too much.

Father, I want to clothe myself in love. I want to be a creator of your body and not a destroyer of your body. Help me to be mindful of loving others and give me your courage and strength as I become closer to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 16, 2018 in Colossians

 
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