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Hebrews 12:1-4

27 Jul

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12:1-4

Dear God, what is the weight that slows me down? Hmm. Maybe I don’t want to answer that question. I like some of that weight. What I’m thinking about initially are some of the time-sucks like streaming YouTube videos in the evening. Playing Sudoku. Really, a lot of things that involve my iPhone. For a productive tool, it can certainly be a time-suck.

Outside of these things, there are also the pieces of emotional baggage that tie me down. Worrying about loved ones and family who are out of my control. Although the worry does drive me to pray for them, which is good. But sometimes it can consume me and demotivate me to work on other things, which can be bad. I can also get distracted by politics and other things over which I have no control. Now that I think about these examples, distraction from things over which I have no control is probably a common theme in my life and the lives of most people.

Holy Spirit, please nudge me each time today when I am giving into something that slows me down. Show me how to run with perseverance. Show me how to wholly commit everything I do to you. Do it all for your glory so that my limited time on earth might be productive for your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 27, 2022 in Hebrews

 

Ephesians 5:25-33

25 Jul

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:25-33

Dear God, I always think of this verse on my anniversary. It was read at our wedding, and I’ll always remember one of my wife’s friends telling her that the verses preceding verse 25 about women submitting to their husbands made them nervous, but they trusted her to know what she was doing.

I was thinking about it yesterday on my bike ride. I was thinking about how much I have changed since I was fresh out of college 22 years ago. My wife has changed as well. I think the key is me really learning what it is like to:

  • Love her
  • Make her holy and clean through the cleansing of your Word
  • Present her without a spot or wrinkle
  • Love her as myself
  • Leave my father and mother and join with her
  • Unite with her

So what does that look like, and does doing those things successfully help her to “submit” in a way that is edifying for her? Back to my bike ride, I was thinking about how needy I was when we first got married. I was incredibly insecure, looking for her to love me the way my insecurity needed to be loved. I had expectations of her that were not freeing to her. Submission to 22-year-old me could be burdensome. Not because I was being mean, but because I did not really love her in a way that gave her freedom to discover who she was in you. I was too busy making sure she fed a part of my ego that was damaged.

I guess it didn’t really start to change until 1.) I started doing these prayer journals eight years later and 2.) I experienced Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas for the first time. The prayer journals rekindled my discipleship and reliance upon you for the needs that my damaged ego had. Sacred Marriage taught me that her job in my life was not to make me happy, but to be a friend and help me to grow into a better, more humble man. All of a sudden, I could take my need to control her love for me and turn it into an incredible desire to see her flourish in every way–just like Jesus wants to see His church flourish.

Father, I haven’t figured all of this out. There are still parts of my life that are a mess. There are still things I do that frustrate her and hurt her. So I’m not sitting here and claiming to be this amazing husband. What I am saying is that I know I’m not the man I was 30 years ago, and that is all because of you and what you have done for me, including what you have done for me through her. Thank you. Thank you for the 33 years I have known her. Thank you for the 30 years of marriage. Thank you for our daughter and our son. As year 31 starts today, I pray that you would help us to be, as a couple, exactly what you need us to be for all of those in our sphere of influence. And please continue to grow our hearts together.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 25, 2022 in Ephesians

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

23 Jul

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing…But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

Dear God, as I sat down for church this evening I found a funeral service bulletin left behind from earlier in the week. It was for a 93-year-old woman. This was the New Testament reading. I’m not sure I remember hearing it at a funeral before, but it’s great. I really like it. What a beautiful thing to be able to say at the end of your life. I hope they are words I can say at the end of my own life.

So what makes it so hard to live this kind of a life? I suppose it comes down to selfishness and my desire to just fulfill my own desires at any given moment. It’s one thing to stay away from sin. It’s another thing to be constantly communing with the Holy Spirit with me and not missing the myriad opportunities I have to sacrifice my own will for yours.

Holy Spirit, as I continue on the rest of this evening and tomorrow, help me to think about you a little more. Help me to consider what you would have me do at any given moment. Thank you that this was a good day in that it was productive and I was able to spend some quality time with you. I worshipped. I contemplated scripture. I did productive work at home. I joined others in corporate worship. Show me what you have for me to do tomorrow.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 23, 2022 in 2 Timothy

 

1 John 1:8-10

20 Jul

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
1 John 1:8-10

Dear God, I have sin. I admit it. I am petty. I am selfish. I don’t worship and love you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I don’t love others as myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you for Jesus. Thank you that my repentant voice is heard through all of this. Thank you that you cleared a path for me to be in relationship with you through Jesus. Thank you that you are slowly molding me into something better. Thank you that you love me.

Holy Spirit, please be the Father’s presence with me today. Counsel me. Bring your love into the world through me. In each conversation, each interaction with someone, help me to channel you so that your kingdom will come into the world. So that your will will be done.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 20, 2022 in 1 John

 

Psalm 119:7

18 Jul

As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
Psalm 119:7

Dear God, I started this prayer yesterday but didn’t get very far. I had a plan of when I would sit down and really spend some time with you, but then things happened. Some of it was spent in intercessory prayer for some friends, but some was just legitimate busyness. Then there was some time spent on my own private preferences instead of making this a priority. I’m sorry for that. But when I woke up this morning, I knew I wanted to live up to the sentiment of this verse and make you my priority: As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should.

Holy Spirit, please walk with me today and be my connection with the Father. Help me to live as I should. Speak to me and give me ears to hear. Help me to show your compassion and offer you to others. When I talk to others, be what they need from you through me. And please grant me the aero mitt to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 18, 2022 in Psalms

 

Preparing to Preach

17 Jul

Dear God, I am preaching this morning for a small Presbyterian church. I know you know this because I have been praying to you about it since their pastor called and asked me to fill in for him this Sunday. I’ve done my preparation. I’ve prayed. I’ve read scripture. I’ve studied commentaries. I’ve gone back and pulled from other lessons you’ve taught me to help make the point. I’ve put it all into an outline from which I am, supposedly, ready to preach. But this isn’t going anywhere if the Holy Spirit isn’t speaking through me. Flowing through me. Using me in the way he needs to so that the ears of those who need to hear what you’ve given me to say can be blessed. Yes, the mechanics are done, but the mechanics of putting together a sermon are less than half of the process. Now, with less than two hours to go before I am standing before a collection of Jesus worshippers who are waiting for you to speak to them this morning, I pray that I would me what you need them to have. Holy Spirit, use me as your audible voice. Bring me no glory this morning. In fact, it would be better if I could receive no praise at all. My only goal this morning is to be pleasing in your sight.

There is one couple in the congregation, in particular, about whom I thought mostly when I was preparing this sermon. It’s about prayer and they are facing a terrible medical situation for their adult daughter. I cannot imagine the pain and fear they have. Speak to them. Use this pain to help them grow into who you need them to be. Use my own pain in the areas of my life that concern me and grow me into the man you need me to be. Let nothing be wasted. Let nothing that comes from you or from this life return void. Use it all for your glory.

And now, let me pray the chorus of a song that always helps me get over myself in times like this:

“I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody all about somebody who saved my soul. Ever since you rescued me you gave my heart a song to sing. I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus” (Casting Crowns).

Father, teach us to pray. Teach me to pray. Teach us this morning. Convict us for our selfish, narcissistic prayers. I’m certainly sorry for mine. I’m sorry for how I have allowed my own selfish hurt to influence my prayers. I’m sorry for the people for whom I neglect to pray. I don’t spend enough time in intercessory prayer. I’m sorry for that. My wife is so good at it and I am not. I’m sorry for that. I remember making a prayer list one time over 30 years ago, and it got so long that it because unwieldy and I gave up on it. Maybe I should try it again and organize it a little differently. Anyway, give me everything you need me to say that morning. Fill me. Enter the world this morning through me and through this church.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2022 in Miscellaneous

 

Philippians 2:5-8

13 Jul

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

Dear God, it can be hard to figure out how to draw the line between doing things for others and doing things for myself. And I’ll confess that when it comes to that line, I walk much more on the doing for myself side of it than doing for others.

I’m thinking about that because of Paul’s admonishment here to basically take Jesus’s attitude of giving it all up for others. I had someone tell me yesterday that I give so much for people, but do I really? I have my nice little car. I have my comfortable, albeit modest by “middle class” standards, home. I live in a pretty comfortable little world. Yes, I give quite a bit of money away for someone at my income level, and I even give sacrificially, but am I really open to truly sacrificing comfort for your kingdom to come into the world through me?

Holy Spirit, please teach me. Oh, those are dangerous words. In fact, I regret typing them, but it is too late now. Teach me what you need me to know. Teach me what you need me to do. Bring the Father’s love for me in such a way that I realize it anew and then take it and reflect it to the world around me. I’m not saying that you’re even calling me to do more than I’m currently doing, but, if you are, please give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 13, 2022 in Philippians

 

Matthew 3:16-4:1

12 Jul

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 3:16-4:1

Dear God, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t think I’ve ever made this link before. It’s the biggest problem with breaking scripture up with chapters and title headings. I never noticed that the Holy Spirit’s appearance on the scene was followed by that same Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days. Was this the Spirit’s first appearance to Jesus in such a tangible way? How did Jesus commune with the Spirit for the next 40 days? What was that like? What was said?

It occurred to be a few weeks ago that I should probably be acknowledging the role of the Holy Spirit more in my own daily life—even as the subject of these prayers. As I sit here now, I think of this as praying to the “Father” as opposed to the “Son” or the “Holy Spirit.” But maybe this is part of my Holy Spirit communal time. I normally Ed these prayers by starting the last paragraph with “Father.” Maybe that’s wrong.

God, help me to commune with you today. Help me to worship you through my actions and also intentionally with all my heart. Comfort me when I need comforted. Convict me when I need convicted. Guide me when I need your leadership. Counsel me when I need your counseling.

I pray all of this through the Son, Jesus Christ,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 12, 2022 in Matthew

 

Matthew 10:34-39

11 Jul

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:34-39

Dear God, this has always been a hard passage. Frankly, it could mean so many things. It could be as simple as someone like a parent of child rejecting me because I worship you. It can be as complicated as me allowing a relationship, whether good or bad, to impact how I worship and follow you.

As I read this passage this morning I definitely an application to my life in a new way. I have certainly experienced some strain in familial relationships for quite some time and I can look back and definitely find some examples of how it has impacted my worship of you and my discipleship.

I think one of the tricks is to separate how you feel about my relationships with my children and family from how the world and my culture sees them. As I think about it I just thought about this passage from Hebrews 12:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Father, help me to throw off everything that is holding me back from fully following you. Whether it is my sin or complicated relationships, help me to cast anything that is tying me down and run the race you have laid out before me. Let it start with worship. Let it continue with listening to the Holy Spirit, my counselor, my comforter, and my God. Make me the man you need me to be for the people you have put into my life.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 11, 2022 in Hebrews, Matthew

 

“America the Beautiful” Verse 2

04 Jul

“American the Beautiful” Verse 2

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

Dear God, we sang this song in church yesterday (I suppose you have to throw in one patriotic song with a God slant on the day before the 4th of July). I noticed the last three lines of the second verse. I thought each of them might be worthy of a little time this morning as I pray to you and worship you through prayer.

God mend thine every flaw

It’s refreshing to feel like we can say out loud that something we love–something we are proud of–is flawed. I guess I feel like everyone has gotten so inside their own agendas that it’s hard for us to admit there is a flaw in them. A Democrat might be unwilling to examine President Biden’s flaws. A Republican might feel the same way about Donald Trump. But it goes beyond that. Church’s sweep issues under the rug (abusive leadership, a range of inappropriate sexual conduct, etc.) because they cannot admit their flaws. Families compensate for one family member who might engage in destructive patters such as violence, anger, manipulation or substance abuse. I say all of this to say that it kind of goes back to the old saying that “admitting you have a problem is the first step.” Until we recognize our issues, discuss them, and repent of them to you and to each other we will not make any progress. In fact, we will just go deeper down the rabbit hole.

Confirm thy soul in self control

Now, I’m not sure this one holds up theologically, but I can at least appreciate the idea that there comes a time when we just need to reign ourselves in and submit ourselves to you. Galatians 5:13 says, “…our freedom is not intended to cause us to sin, but rather to love God and one another, to be humble, and to serve.” I guess this is what confirming our soul in self control.

Thy liberty in law!

This holds up with the last part. We submit ourselves to the laws of our community for the good of each other. Then we work together to make the laws. Lately this has been very controversial. Abortion is probably the best example of different groups opposing each other on a law. But there are certainly other laws upon which we can all agree. When done at its best–when we have repented and you have mended our flaws–you are able to help us experience an unusual liberty that is quite unique to our society.

Father, I’ve been listening a lot lately to the stories in 2 Kings and both books of Chronicles about the myriad of kings that came and went in both Israel and Judah (the south and the north). Even the good ones had some fatal flaws. I know I have fatal flaws as well. I am sorry for that. I can’t help but wonder if I have watered down your justice and holiness too much. Have I lowered the bar of your expectations too low? I don’t know, but I know I love you and I know I’m trying to get this right. Help me to get this right. Mend my every flaw. Show me who you need me to be for the sake of your kingdom, those I love, and those to whom you have sent me to love.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 4, 2022 in Hymns and Songs

 

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