RSS

1 Peter 2:15-16

13 Nov

It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.

1 Peter 2:15-16

Dear God, what do others see when they look at me? In my case, I almost wonder if they don’t somehow see someone who is better than I am. I get a lot of credit for my job, and I think people are prone to put me on too much of a pedestal. So I guess what I would ask on the other side of this passage is, what do I need to do to ensure that I am being vulnerable enough and showing my flaws so that my life can be useful to you in helping others?

For my part, I’ve learned more from David and Peter in the Bible than I’ve learned from Paul. I’ve learned more from the pastor who shares vulnerable stories about themselves than I’ve learned from pastors who only shared their holiness. I understand that this passage is about striving to be an example, but I have failed and will fail. I think I need to be about using those times to encourage others to deal with the flaws, tragedies, disappointments and sins in their own lives.

Father, to quote a song that I sometimes pray to you, make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. And may the prayer of my heart always be, make me a servant today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 13, 2017 in 1 Peter

 

Colossians 1:9

12 Nov

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9

Dear God, complete knowledge of your will? Wow. That’s quite a request. I’m not even sure that’s something I should want. Could I handle that kind of knowledge.

But I like spiritual wisdom and understanding. I can get on board with that. I would love to have that. I think it starts with spending time each day trying to get to know the sound of your voice better and learn about you. Then I can start to have your heart as my heart as I slowly learn how to surrender my will to yours.

Father, help me to be a servant after your own heart. Help me to hear your voice. Help me to be the man, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, employee and friend that I need to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 12, 2017 in Colossians

 

1 John 2:15-16

11 Nov

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

1 John 2:15-16

Dear God, so what does the world offer me? I was watching an interview with the singer/songwriter James Taylor recently and the interviewer asked him about this addictions. He had a unique answer about what gives an addiction its power over you: The key for an addict is how much of a relief the addict felt when they first discovered their drug of choice. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put that way before. What pain did the alcohol, meth, weed, cocaine, food, pornography, etc. mask when the addict first experienced it, and how good effective was the experience in taking the pain away (albeit temporarily)?

In this context, I think that a lot of what the world offers is designed to mask pain/fear. We pursue money because we don’t want to have to worry about our needs and we want to indulge our wants. As for me, my comfort is found in food. Somewhere along the way, I found comfort in treating myself to the kinds of food that I like. Ironically, the time in my life that I had the most pain was a time that I actually dove into exercise and hyper controlling my eating. I think I felt so powerless in some areas that I actually went the other way and grabbed control of something I could. As I understand it, that is the motivation behind most eating disorders.

Father, I am an amateur in all of this in terms of knowledge, but I know enough to know that you didn’t design us to live pain-free lives in this fallen world. We are to bring our pain to you, trust you in it, and then ask what you would have us do to live you and live others. Help me to do that today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 11, 2017 in 1 John

 

Job 37-5

10 Nov

God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.

Job 37:5

Dear God, there are times when I just do not like your plan. I’ve been disappointed in you and felt like you broke your promises to me. I’ve been confused about why you would allow this thing or that thing to happen. I’ve doubted your existence. But I’m here. I’m here this morning reading scripture and praying to you. I’m here to submit and follow. I’m here to confess and repent. Why?

I do all of this because I can’t even imagine the greatness of your power. I can’t imagine your wisdom. I can’t imagine what the world looks like from your perspective. I am sure that a housefly’s life seems important to the housefly, but it inconveniences me and annoys me so I end its life without thinking twice about it. I’m sure that our existence could look the same to you, in all of the greatness of your power, but instead you communicate with me and let me pray to you. You guide my life and listen to my pleas for my family, friends and world.

Father, I cannot imagine the greatness of your power. Elihu spoke these words to Job after Job had been through awful circumstances. That’s what makes Job a hard read. Sometimes his friends were right and sometimes they were wrong, and it’s often hard to tell which is which. But in this case Elihu is right. None of us can. And we never will–not even when we get to the other side. But I will worship you because I know you’re there and I know that, regardless of my circumstances, you truly care.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 10, 2017 in Job

 

Infringement

09 Nov

No verse

Dear God, I had an opportunity to offer someone prayer and a spiritual dimension to their current crisis yesterday, and I blew it. And it’s not like I didn’t consider it in real time. I had a guy in my office who was in need. He was scared and I was able to walk him through the process of meeting his need and comfort him a little. While he sat there, I thought, This would be an opportunity to ask him if he would like someone to pray with him. But I didn’t. I remained silent in that area and stuck to my normal script. And it’s not like I don’t work in a Christian, faith-based organization. I do. I wouldn’t be violating anyone’s civil liberties if I simply offered to pray with them. What is my problem?

Maybe it’s too much politeness. I don’t want to infringe on their spiritual privacy. By how will they ever know about the peace and joy that a life rooted in submitting to you can provide if we, as Christians, don’t infringe a little?

Father, first, I’m sorry. I’m going to try to follow up with the man today and offer him my prayer. And I’m going to be better about this. I have something that too many of our community don’t, and an awful lot of them come into my office. Help me to be what you need me to be for them.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 9, 2017 in Miscellaneous

 

Joshua 24:15

08 Nov

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord .”Joshua 24:15 

Dear God, this is an oft quoted verse, but it’s often just the last sentence that people put up in their homes. What I’m noticing today is that Joshua is not letting them off easy. He’s challenging them do proactively choose what they are going to do because he knows that we all serve something. 

I think the difference in our societies is that back then they were very much into worshipping something. Nowadays, we are more likely to worship ourselves and our own abilities to solve our problems and guide our lives. We are into pleasing ourselves over pleasing a god. 

Father, I’m obviously choosing you, but I know I still have a lot to learn as to what that means and looks like. What does it really look like to be your worshippers and servant every day? I suppose that’s what discipleship and working out my faith with dear and trembling is all about. I don’t know that I’ll ever figure it all out, but I ask that you help me today to get one step closer to being the worshipper and servant you deserve and that I need for myself to be. 

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 8, 2017 in Joshua

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

07 Nov

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.1 Timothy 2:1-2

Dear God, I know that I don’t pray for others nearly enough. Yes, my wife and I pray together every day and we pray for others then, but throughout the day I don’t pray for others enough. I certainly don’t pray for our leaders enough. Right now, President Trump is spending 12 days visiting Asian countries and leaders. I’m think I’ve prayed about that on passing once. I should be bathing him in prayer. I should be pleading with you for his advisors, those with whom he will meet, and Congress. I’ve prayed for the people in Sutherland Springs, but I haven’t prayed for our state’s leadership or about gun violence. Is there room in your plan for my lack of prayer? Am I failing you and our world in this way?

Father, and thank you for this reminder. I’m going to give this some thought today and address this issue in my life. If nothing else, praying for these people might help you to guide my heart when it comes to these areas of life. Help me to see everything around me with your eyes. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 7, 2017 in I Timothy

 

Ephesians 1:9-11

06 Nov

God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.Ephesians 1:9-11 

Dear God, I cam across a verse similar to this the other day–talking about how you are working everything out within your plan. While I can appreciate that, it can be hard to see what you are doing. 

I think the biggest jump for us to make is to see time and the big picture the way you see them. Several years ago I came up with a line that we measure time in days months and years while you look at it in years, decades and centuries (and even millennia). And then you factor in the free will thing and people (including me) disobeying you and it gets messy beyond all reason. 

Father, right now I’m thinking about the chaos is what happened at that church yesterday morning. For a while a little over 20 years ago, my wife and I attended a church that small. It sounds like just about every person in the room was injured or killed. Lord, I don’t know where all this is going or how it all turns out, but I ask that you please make this pain and suffering count for your glory and your plan. 

In Jesus’s name I pray,

 Amen 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 6, 2017 in Ephesians

 

1 Peter 4:12-13

05 Nov

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear God, so I really should consider it all joy? You know, I know I should. And I’ve tried to, but the fire can be very unpleasant. 

A few years ago, I was in excruciating pain–at least what I felt was excruciating. It was over family relationships (plural) and worrying about people I deeply loved. It was about being rejected by others for the core of who I am. It was about being betrayed by some on whom I had depended to support me. I would cry out to you. I would wondered what I should do next. And things are FAR from perfect now, but I did learn how to out a lot of it into perspective. And I am seeing hope in some of the relationships. 

I can say, however, that I believe the trials made me better. They have made me a more faithful disciple to you, although there were some years in there where I was so disappointed in what I felt were broken promises by you that I had trouble worshipping you regularly. They have made me more loving and accepting for those going through trials. And I think they have given me a place of authenticity from which I can encourage others. 

Father, I’m still not thrilled about what happened in that chapter of my life, and I don’t know where the issuers that remain unresolved are going, but I choose to coder it joy. I choose to be grateful for you. And I choose to have faith that all things will work together for your glory and my good. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 5, 2017 in 1 Peter

 

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

04 Nov

We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.2 Corinthians 3:4-6 

Dear God, there are times when I can really feel the Holy Spirit moving in me and getting me to a place of compassion and insight that I’d don’t normally have. I wish it happened more often than it does. Maybe it happens more often than I realize, but I know that when I do realize it is happening it feels like a wonderful thing. 
Yesterday, I think I was able to help people make a connection to an anonymous prayer request left at my work. There were the words in the prayer request, which were heartbreaking enough, but then I felt like the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear about that person’s state of being and experience while they wrote that request down. Then I shared that thought with a couple of people and I think it helped them to 1.) have more empathy for the person and 2.) put their own problems and interpersonal conflicts with others into perspective. 
Father, make me an instrument of your peace. Make me a leader of your will. Make me a doer of your word. Make me a teacher of your grace. 
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 4, 2017 in 2 Corinthians

 
← Older posts
Newer posts →