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About John D. Willome

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

Isaiah 33

07 Aug

A Message about Assyria

33 What sorrow awaits you Assyrians, who have destroyed others[a]
    but have never been destroyed yourselves.
You betray others,
    but you have never been betrayed.
When you are done destroying,
    you will be destroyed.
When you are done betraying,
    you will be betrayed.
2 But Lord, be merciful to us,
    for we have waited for you.
Be our strong arm each day
    and our salvation in times of trouble.
3 The enemy runs at the sound of your voice.
    When you stand up, the nations flee!
4 Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines,
    so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!

5 Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven,
    he will make Jerusalem[b] his home of justice and righteousness.
6 In that day he will be your sure foundation,
    providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
    The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.

7 But now your brave warriors weep in public.
    Your ambassadors of peace cry in bitter disappointment.
8 Your roads are deserted;
    no one travels them anymore.
The Assyrians have broken their peace treaty
    and care nothing for the promises they made before witnesses.[c]
    They have no respect for anyone.
9 The land of Israel wilts in mourning.
    Lebanon withers with shame.
The plain of Sharon is now a wilderness.
    Bashan and Carmel have been plundered.

10 But the Lord says: “Now I will stand up.
    Now I will show my power and might.
11 You Assyrians produce nothing but dry grass and stubble.
    Your own breath will turn to fire and consume you.
12 Your people will be burned up completely,
    like thornbushes cut down and tossed in a fire.
13 Listen to what I have done, you nations far away!
    And you that are near, acknowledge my might!”

14 The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.
    Terror seizes the godless.
“Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry.
    “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
15 Those who are honest and fair,
    who refuse to profit by fraud,
    who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
    who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
16 these are the ones who will dwell on high.
    The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
Food will be supplied to them,
    and they will have water in abundance.

17 Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor,
    and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.
18 You will think back to this time of terror, asking,
“Where are the Assyrian officers
    who counted our towers?
Where are the bookkeepers
    who recorded the plunder taken from our fallen city?”
19 You will no longer see these fierce, violent people
    with their strange, unknown language.

20 Instead, you will see Zion as a place of holy festivals.
    You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure.
It will be like a tent whose ropes are taut
    and whose stakes are firmly fixed.
21 The Lord will be our Mighty One.
    He will be like a wide river of protection
that no enemy can cross,
    that no enemy ship can sail upon.
22 For the Lord is our judge,
    our lawgiver, and our king.
    He will care for us and save us.
23 The enemies’ sails hang loose
    on broken masts with useless tackle.
Their treasure will be divided by the people of God.
    Even the lame will take their share!
24 The people of Israel will no longer say,
    “We are sick and helpless,”
    for the Lord will forgive their sins.

  1. 33:1 Hebrew What sorrow awaits you, O destroyer. The Hebrew text does not specifically name Assyria as the object of the prophecy in this chapter.
  2. 33:5 Hebrew Zion; also in 33:14.
  3. 33:8 As in Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text reads care nothing for the cities.

Isaiah 33 (New Living Translation)

Dear God, I think it’s important to point out this is from the New Living Translation because they gave a footnote for verse one that says they took the liberty of inserting “Assyrians” in place of destroyer. I’m sure they had a good reason for doing this, but it’s an important note because when I read it this morning, I immediately thought of Isaiah and Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19 when the Assyrians are threatening to attack and Isaiah tells Hezekiah, after Hezekiah has sought your help and favor, to not worry about it. It’s also important to remember that is was the Assyrians who conquered the other tribes of Israel and sent them into exile. And they were the Ninevites whom Jonah hated so much.

Going back to my desire to not believe in “Disney Princess Theology,” I want to look at myself and/or my country critically ask where I/we might be the bad guy in the story. What if I’m Assyria and not Israel? What if my country is Assyria and not Israel? Is there a warning for me in here? Obviously, there is. I think especially for our country. For the last 10 years a good number of us have been striving for greatness and power–both as individuals and as a nation. We want to exert influence and make people near us cower. I mean, for some reason we’ve made an enemy of Canada. How does that happen unless we’ve made an idol out of this greatness, power, and influence we seek? We’ve even stopped a lot of our foreign aid and benevolence, claiming we must serve ourselves first. We are learning firsthand how limited our great military power actually is in Iran and Ukraine. As a nation right now, are we really any different that Assyria here?

Okay, I’ve pointed fingers at others enough. What about me? Do I love more than I judge? Do I serve more than I expect others to serve me? Are your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control growing in me, or are the thorns and weeds of this world choking them out?

Father, give me eyes to see today. Help me to recognize my Assyrian tendencies. And give our nation eyes to see. Help us to see that in our desire to enforce faith on our fellow citizens and even the world, we are actually doing it exactly the opposite way you called us to do it: through prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering. When we call for revival, let it start with our own self-examination and repentance.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 7, 2026 in Isaiah

 

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“Common” Quote by Satchel Paige

06 Aug

“Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man got to be common.”

Satchel Paige

Dear God, you gave us this weird thing of free will. There was a man I used to know who would say that “everyone is born with a half-full cup. It’s what you do with the cup that matters.” My personal thought is that some people are born with more hurdles than others. The old thing of an advantaged person being “born on third base, but they think they hit a triple,” vs. the child born into poverty with a drug-addicted mother who is in and out of jail, father is gone, and grandmother is struggling to support him and his older sister. They are starting from different places. But the person born on third base can try to steal home and get thrown or tagged out, and the person starting at the plate can work the pitches until they either get the one they want or walk. The choice is up to each of us.

Mr. Paige knew that well. He was apparently a phenomenal baseball pitcher, but he was limited to the Negro League because black players weren’t allowed into the Major League. It wasn’t until he was 42, well past his prime, that he was allowed to play in MLB. So how did you use that pain and struggle in his life? How did you use it to form him? How did you use the awful, reprehensible things of racism and hate to make him the inspiration he later became?

While I was praying, a friend just told me about his wife who was laid off yesterday. I know there is hurt, fear, and pain. I pray that this hurt, fear, and pain won’t be wasted. I pray that you will provide for them, love them, and use it to bond them together. Make them one in every way: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Let this be a weird answer to the prayers they’ve been praying. That we’ve all prayed.

Father, I have choices today. I can be common or uncommon. Help me to glorify you in an uncommon way. To you be the glory for the great things you have done. So loved you the world that you gave us your son who yielded his life as atonement for sin and opened the life gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear your voice! Praise the Lord, praise the lord, let the people rejoice! Oh, come to the Father through Jesus your son, and give you the glory for great things you have done.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 6, 2026 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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Matthew 15:21-28

05 Aug

21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Matthew 15:21-28

Dear God, I was talking a day or two ago about how not everyone in the Bible, including Jesus, was always presenting the absolute truth. For example, Jesus deceiving his brothers about going to the Festival of Tabernacles, or Jesus hiding his identity from the two disciples on their way home to Emmaus after the resurrection. This story feels like another example. He knew he wasn’t just there for the children of Israel. He’d said as much. Was he just testing her? Was he trying to make sure she was there for the Jewish Messiah and not just a miracle worker? I don’t know why, exactly, he picked this path, but it makes for a great story that Matthew recorded for us here.

And then there is the woman. She was a mom with a sick daughter. But you used this pain in her life and made it count. She’d have never gone to Jesus or believed in Jesus otherwise. Her daughter’s illness was probably one of the low points of her life, but you didn’t let it be wasted. You used it to drive her into Jesus’s presence. And maybe you used it to show Jesus in a little bit deeper of a way how Gentiles were part of this too (although I think he already knew that).

Father, there is pain in my life. There is pain in the lives of friends and relatives right now. Some of it has been addressed. Some of it is being addressed. And some of it is being shoved away and ignored in hopes that it will go away on its own. For the relative in rehab, I pray that this pain will be counting for their sake and the sake of their relationship with you. For the friends who are pregnant, I pray that they will find themselves worshipping you in a new way. I pray for the relatives who are estranged from other relatives, I pray that you will shed your light on their situations and you will bring healing through your grace. I pray that this pain will be the catalyst to bring them closer to you. For every struggle today, Father, don’t let them be wasted.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2026 in Matthew

 

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Matthew 15:1-14

04 Aug

Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat. ”

Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death. ’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you. ’ In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God. ’”

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth. ” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch. ”

Matthew 15:1-14

Dear God, Jesus responding to the Pharisees with a question of his own made me think of an interaction I had with another pastor in our town almost three years ago. He sent out an email to the local ministerial association about why we weren’t, as a group, more engaged in the “pornography in the school libraries” issue. I replied back that I was actually more concerned about the pornography on their phones and their friends’ phones than I was about the books in the libraries. I didn’t say this at the time, but I’ve come to see the library books as a distraction from the real danger that’s being ignored.

So how do I major in the majors and keep myself from being distracted by the unimportant? I think the first way is to just stay close to you and keep listening for and to your still small voice. Then I need to internalize it and seek your will and blessing for my path. If you plant seeds in me, I want them to grow 100 fold.

Father, I give you this day. I give you my ego and the things I think I know, but I don’t. I’m sorry for my arrogance and pride. I’m sorry for my slothfulness. You are my God and I will do my best to follow you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 4, 2026 in Matthew

 

1 Samuel 16:1-7

03 Aug

16 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5 He said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:1-7

Dear God, I was listening to a Christian podcast yesterday talk about The Odyssey. They were talking about Odysseus and how he was a trickster. Apprently, in the original poem, this was very much celebrated in him. He was clever and cunning, and this was a good thing.

I bring this up because there are so many times in the Bible when the “good guys” in the story choose deception as part of their plan. In this story, you instruct Samuel to use deception to accomplish your mission. There’s Jesus in John 7 telling his brothers he’s not going to the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, but then he secretly goes anyway. There’s Jesus when he talks to the two people on the road to Emmaus, but he conceals his identity from them until the end. There’s David when he lies to Ahimelec about having men with him when he asks for bread and a sword from the temple. Interestingly, Jesus uses this story later but indicates that David told Ahimelec the truth, but I don’t think he did.

My point is, are there times when it is appropriate for me to deceive? My inclination is to say no, but then I think about times when something is confidential and I’m not at liberty to talk about something, or the talking about it could actually hurt another person. But it can sometimes be hard to know when those times are.

Father, I just want to live a simple life that is beyond reproach. I know there are times when I have to keep information confidential or obfuscate a little. Help me to know when and how to do this. Help me to live my life in a loving way that will bless those around me. Be glorified in all of my actions.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 3, 2026 in 1 Samuel

 

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Romans 8:35-39

02 Aug

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39

Dear God, the New Living Translation (NLT), which I enjoy reading, adds a few words here that the other translations don’t have. They don’t change the meaning, but I do think they add some clarity. The middle of verse 35 says, “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity…?” The other translations just jump right in aftr the first question and say, “Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution…?” But I think the NLT makes explicit what is implied by the other texts. It’s an important question for all of us to answer, but it’s easy to miss if it’s not made explicit: “Does it mean you no longer love me if I have trouble…?”

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt unloved by you, but I’ve certainly felt let down before. I felt “disappointed,” as a pastor friend put it one time. Even disillusioned. The word “disillusioned” can get a bad rap, but I think it’s probably actually a good thing. If I am “illlusioned” then it is good for me to be “disillusioned.” You have taught me what your love does and doesn’t mean over the years. I still have much to learn. I’m not saying I understand everything. But over the last 15 years, I’ve certainly learned more than I knew before. I’ve learned to accept what your love doesn’t mean, just as Job did after your speech to him in chapters 38-41:

42 Then Job answered the Lord and said,

2 “I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
6 Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Father, I accept the life you have for me. Now, that’s easy for me to say because, overall and outside of a couple of deep sorrows, I have a pretty good life. And even with that good life, there are times I want to complain. Times when I’m not grateful for simply your love. You are a good God. Nothing can separate me from your love, for which I’m grateful. I have a relative who is checking into a rehab facility today. I pray for that precious person. I pray that they will find your love. I pray that you will guide me in knowing how to pray for them. Your love is waiting there for them. Pull away the clouds that hang like curtains from their eyes (Keith Green reference) and help them to see you’ve been there all along. And support their family. Their parents. Their child. Guide all of them into your love. Use this difficult time to help all of them, and to help me as well. Make this pain count for your glory and their joy and peace.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2026 in Romans

 

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Matthew 14:1-12

01 Aug

14 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

Matthe 14:1-12

Dear God, I like how you can see Matthew correcting his narrative a little. He started to tell us about Herod’s interest in Jesus, but the he had to double back and tell us about John the Baptist’s death.

Herod’s interest in Jesus was seemingly two-fold. And we’ll see it later at the Passion when he and Pilate bond over what happened to Jesus. My feeling is that they bonded over being forced into a position that even they, a couple a pretty immoral people, found reprehensible and to be avoided: the murder of a good man (although, again, they had murdered plenty of good people in their day). I think Herod was also interested because of his making a connection between Jesus and John the Baptist and wondering if Jesus was channeling John from beyond the grave. Little did he know that it was John who was channeling Elijah. I wonder why this is the only mention of this Herod that Matthew gives us. I’d have thought he was setting us up for something more in the future. Maybe he was intentionally telling us about what happened to John the Baptist.

I’ve written about Herod before and his failure when it came to John the Baptist and how his immorally-gained wife manipulated him by using their daughter. Parents continue to use children to manipulate their spouses or the child’s other parent to this day. Nothing is new under the Sun.

Father, I don’t know what I really have here this morning except it’s always good to be reminded of these stories. It’s good for me to remember to only love and raise my children and not use them. It’s good to be reminded to assuage my guilt through true repentance, and not through acting out or even carrying around the guilt and shame. It’s good to sit here and know who you are and that I love you and you love me. I give you glory for everything.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 1, 2026 in Matthew

 

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Jeremiah 26

31 Jul

26 This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah. 2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the Lord, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

4 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you, 5 and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them— 6 then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.’”

7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the Lord’s Temple. 8 But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the Lord had told him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. “Kill him!” they shouted. 9 “What right do you have to prophesy in the Lord’s name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?” And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.

10 When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court. 11 The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “This man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”

12 Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,” he said. “The Lord gave me every word that I have spoken. 13 But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands—do with me as you think best. 15 But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and on every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that the Lord sent me to speak every word you have heard.”

16 Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”

17 Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there. 18 They said, “Remember when Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He told the people of Judah,

‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:
Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field;
    Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins!
A thicket will grow on the heights
    where the Temple now stands.’

19 But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped the Lord. They begged him for mercy. Then the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.”

20 At this time Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was also prophesying for the Lord. And he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Jeremiah did. 21 When King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him. But Uriah heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah. 23 They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim. The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.

24 Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed.

Jeremiah 26

Dear God, this is a fascinating part of the story. I am pretty sure that, on the timeline, it happens after Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites/Assyrians. Yeah, that’s what I thought. I just looked it up. On a timeline of Old Testament prophets, Jeremiah is one of the last ones. It looks like Jonah was even before Micah, who the elders mention in verse 18. But I can’t help but notice that it was easier for the Ninevites, and even their king, to repent than it was for these prideful people in Jeremiah’s time.

I suppose the first stage of grief is denial. And when we here something that makes us sad and we want to initially deny it, then the next thing we need to do is get rid of the messenger. He’s a “liar” after all, and he should be put to death for speaking false prophecy in your name. Ah, but was Jeremiah a false prophet? Was he a liar? We know now that he wasn’t, but they didn’t know what to make of him then. They just knew they were hearing news they didn’t want to hear. they were comfortable with their habits. They didn’t want to repent.

How would I handle a prophetic word of rebuke? Would my first inclination be to lable the person as a fake who didn’t know me or what she or he was talking about? Would I turn my back to them and not hear them? Or would I take a moment to consider what they are saying to me? Would I entertain it long enough to discern the truth of it through prayer and possibly repentance? Am I humble enough to hear your rebuke and accept it at any given time?

Father, I think the modern day message of this story is to accept your judgment and welcome it as for my good. The better I can be here, the more useful my small little life will be for you. I guess my ultimate goal is to simply try to love you and love others and then let your use of my life fall however you want it to fall. I heard something yesterday where this podcast was discussing this book called Girls: Generation Z and the Commodification of Everything. Apparently the thesis of the book is that young people, especially young women, are being taught that their only worth is in building their brand and then selling themselves to the world–whether as an influencer or whatever. Somehow, we are all learning that we have to have this life that is “important.” Well, like I’ve said many times, the widow who put her two coins in the offering that Jesus saw never knew her life would be talked about for thousands of years. She just knew she woke up poor that morning, she worshipped you through her officer, and then she went to bed that night as poor as she was when she woke up. And she probably died that poor too. So help me to live the life of that simple woman and be content in the fact that maybe all I have is the love of my God and the fact that he’s been doubly good to me by bringing me an amazing woman for my wife.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2026 in Jeremiah

 

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Matthew 13:47-52

30 Jul

47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?”

“Yes,” they said, “we do.”

52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

Matthew 15:47-52

Dear God, the obvious part of today’s gospel reading to focus on would be the parable in verses 47-50, but I want to actually look at verse 52. It’s one thing to be a teacher and another thing to be a disciple. Oh, please, let me be a disciple! I don’t want to be a teacher if I will teach heresy, but I do want to follow you, learn to be more and more like Jesus, and then rest in you and your love, serving you in any way in which you call me to serve.

It’s interesting to find myself in the role of a teacher for others when I have no formal training. But then, even if I had formal seminary training, how much of what I learn there would be errant? Rapture theology, for example. Truth or something made up in the 1800s? Jesus born in a stable. Truth or our conjecture when we layer our 21st-century American sensibilities over the words that are actually given to us. I had breakfast this morning with a friend who went to the Creation Museum and Noah’s Ark Encounter in Kentucky with his family of origin earlier this month. Is everything in their exhibits 100% true? I doubt it. But which parts are wrong. I know that some of my theology is wrong. But which parts?!?

Father, if I teach people anything, I want it to be how to be your disciple in the here and now. Today. If they are your worshipper and becoming more and more like you/Jesus/Holy Spirit today (and then the next day, and the next day, …) then the rest will take care of itself. We need your grace for that. You give it through the part of you that is Jesus and everything he did and continues to do. You give us your presence through your Holy Spirit, whom I pray is here with me now as I pray to you. And as I go through the rest of my day today, help me to be an example of your love and mercy. Help me to encourage others with your voice.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 30, 2026 in Matthew

 

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Jeremiah 15:16-21 and Luke 10:38-42

29 Jul

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins. Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry. ” This is how the Lord responds:“If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken! Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands. ”

Jeremiah 15:16-21

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me. ” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. ”

Luke 10:38-42

Dear God, as I read the Old Testament and Gospel readings this morning the theme occurred to me that everyone has a different role to play in your world, whether we like it or not. It might be struggles through hardships of parenting or marriage. It might be poverty. It might be to be the unwelcome prophet. It might be to be wealthy and share resources with others. It might be to be a role model of who to be, and it might be a role model of who not to be.

Honestly, it’s hard for me to complain about my life. And while I have sorrows and things I lament, even those could be so much worse. The question I ask myself when I stop and appreciate what I have and what you’ve done for me is, What is my responsibility and the work you have for me to do? There’s my vocational work. There’s the volunteer work I’ve found myself doing. But is there more? Am I missing anything?

Father, I am having the privilege of visiting some tremendous people yesterday and today. Really great people who love and worship you. Who submit themselves to you and are doing their best to discern your will for their lives. Who celebrate you in their successes and in their struggles. They are good examples for me. I love them all. I pray, Holy Spirit, your blessing over the home I’m in right now. Let your Spirit move, reign and live in every room. With each life that lives here. With each life that enters here, let them feel your presence, let your peace envelope them, and draw each one closer to the center of you and who you are. I ask your blessing on this family.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 29, 2026 in Jeremiah, Luke

 
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