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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 

 
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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 

 
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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 

 
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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

 
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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 

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2017 in 2 Corinthians

 

Romans 13:1-5

03 Nov

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.Romans 13:1-5

Dear God, I would say that Paul was naive to say this, but I know it was written to Romans during a Roman Empire that could be ruthless towards Christians so it makes me think I’m missing a context that would change his meaning from what I’m reading this morning. Reading it just leaves me thinking, what is he talking about?

It’s not like I’m a rebellious person, but does all authority really come FROM you? I can see where you allow rulers and authorities to come over us when we go our own way as a society. I also believe, however, in civil disobedience. I believe in the ability to stand up to authority and tell it that it is wrong. Even Paul pushed back against authority to the point where he was imprisoned and killed. So where is this passage coming from? What is he really talking about?

Father, if this passage is telling me that to reject all government because I only recognize you or my church as my authority is wrong because I also need to subject myself to the society within which I live and accept its governmental authority then I’m okay with it. But if it’s telling me that you put Hitler in charge and those in Germany in 1933-1945 should have been willingly subject to him then I’m sorry, but I don’t think that reflects your heart. So I assume I’m missing something from Paul here. I’ll need to ask him for some clarification when I get there one day. 😉

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on November 3, 2017 in Romans

 

Ephesians 1:15-18

01 Nov

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.Ephesians 1:15-18

Dear God, this isn’t about this passage per se, but it made me think of a Dennis Jernigan song I first heard about 25 years ago. Here’s the chorus:
And I wish I could take your heart into my heart

I wish I could show you just how good it feels to let go

Of the things you know are killing you 

And cling to the only one who can heal

But I know if I did then it wouldn’t be you

‘Cuz you, you’re the only one choosing for you

This is a song I want to pray over more than one person about whom I’m thinking right now. Oh, how they need your freedom and healing. How they need to just let go of the things they know are killing them (addiction, scars and sin from the past and present, pride, etc.), repent, and then submit to you. I know this seems like too much for them, but they don’t know the joy and peace on the other side.
Father, forgive me for when I fail you. I think I even missed an opportunity last night to be a light for you in a young person’s life. I’m sorry. Have mercy on me and everyone around me. Life can be so complicated that I’m amazed any of us make it through. 
In Jesus’s name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on November 1, 2017 in Ephesians

 

1 Peter 5:8-9

31 Oct

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.1 Peter 5:8-9

Dear God, it is hard to stay alert. It is hard to think about the things I cannot see. I have a hard enough time just trying to decipher a current situation and what you might be doing through it, but to add on top of it the idea of being continually alert feels almost impossible. 
But that is where your power and Holy Spirit come in, I suppose. That is where community and relationship come in. It is truly not good for man to be alone. I’m learning that more and more. For those who live completely alone…well, I can see that if I were alone and isolated I wouldn’t make nearly as good of decisions as I would with a spouse or roommate/ friend helping me go through life. 
Father, help me to stay continually alert, and help my friends and family who are alone to be in rich community. Love them. Honor them. Give them a vision for their own lives. Guide them through friends, pastors, and family members. Strongly support them. 
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on October 31, 2017 in 1 Peter

 

Ephesians 2:8-10

30 Oct

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.Ephesians 2:8-10 

Dear God, honestly, I’m not sure I have any deep and meaningful thoughts about this passage except to say that Paul is right. I have nothing to boast about, and I totally would boast about how “good” I am if I were given the chance. At least, I would have when I was younger, but now, as someone with a little more life experience and some trials/failures under my belt, I am keenly aware that I have nothing about which I can boast myself. 
One of the things that ends up happening a lot is that I actually have the kind of job where I get a lot more credit for being “good” than o deserve. First, I’m doing what you’ve given me to do, but most importantly, I am a small part of what gets done. Staff, volunteers and donors do much more than I do. Yet, at church yesterday someone kept telling me what good work I do. He was kind, and I just said thank you, but it does get awkward sometimes. 
Father, teach me to point others to you. Be glorified through me. Help me to not only be humble, but vulnerable as well so that others can see something in my weakness that resonates with themselves and gives them hope and encouragement. 
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on October 30, 2017 in Ephesians

 

1 Peter 1:22-25

28 Oct

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.1 Peter 1:22-25

Dear God, yesterday, I talked about the different ways your word is communicated to us. So how do I communicate that word to others around me?
I was telling a friend yesterday about some people experiencing difficult times who had come across my path recently and how we can tend to build lives that are insulated from seeing others’ pain, and he asked me a convicting question: Did you offer to pray with them? The answer was worse than my response. My response was, “No.” but the real answer is, “Not only did I not offer to pray with them, but I also didn’t pray for them later.” So I didn’t do much to spread your word to them that day. 
Father, there is so much I miss. I’m distracted. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed. I’m sorry for that. So I pray right now for the three women about whom I spoke with my friend. I pray for the people with whom I will come into contact today. Spread your peace and healing into their lives. Share the Good News with them through me. Make me your humble representative. Use me how you will. 
In Jesus’s name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on October 28, 2017 in 1 Peter

 
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