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Proverbs 19:21

10 Oct

Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Dear God, ain’t this truth? It’s foolish not to make plans, but holding them loosely is a very good idea because I have no idea what you are planning. 

I think one of the big things that we forget to factor in is that we never plan for negative things to happen, but you sometimes need to allow negative things for either our good or the good of someone else. For example, I would never have wanted the miscarriage that we experienced (and I still don’t know what all was involved in why you allowed that), but the pain of that event changed my wife and me forever. It made us more humble and grateful parents when our children were born. It made us more sensitive and loving when we hear of others who experience the same thing. You redeemed the pain and made us better people. 

Father, help me to hold my plans loosely. I certainly have all kinds of things that I hope and wish for, but I also know enough to know that I do not know the plans you have for me, my family, my community, and my world. I guess my real prayer is that you simply use me and help me to not let my own plans get in the way of your plans. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on October 10, 2017 in Proverbs

 

Isaiah 43:10-13

08 Oct

Isaiah 43:10-13 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord. “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”

Dear God, a lot of things compete for your title. Money. Power. Sex. Alcohol. Drugs. Food. Maybe that’s why AA starts with the idea of a higher power replacing the power of the addicted substance. Until that substance is taken off of its pedestal then it will remain there. 

I’ve certainly had things that I’ve put in your place over the years. But what about recently? I think one of the things I put in your place is me. I put my mind, intellect, ideas, etc. in place of your provision and glory when it comes to solving problems at work, at home, or in other areas. That’s probably one of my biggest problems. 

Father, remind me to worship you in all circumstances. When I am facing a situation about which I feel anxiety, help remind me to deny the false god of myself and to worship the one true God. You are my King. In you will I trust, even if it looks like things are going wrong. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on October 8, 2017 in Isaiah

 

Isaiah 26:3

06 Oct

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Dear God, I wonder what perfect peace looks like. When it comes to the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self control) I’ve always felt that peace was the most important barometer as to how I’m doing with you because it’s the one I can’t fake. Outwardly, I can fake love, joy, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self control, but I can’t fake peace. And I can often get a feeling for when someone else is either at peace or not at peace. 

So how am I doing? Well, I’m on this amazing vacation right now, and I am feeling pretty good. I’ve been careful to continue to spend time with you every day of this trip, and I want to continue to do so. I just hope I’m getting out of this trip and this time away from the office what you have for me. This sabbatical that the board of directors has given to me isn’t just about time to clear my head from work. I want it to be for my whole person. 

Father, I want to come out of the other side of this time as a better servant of you, husband, father, friend, son, sibling, and community member. I want to also be completely at peace so that when others see me they will see a difference and understand that a life lived in submission to you is the path to a peaceful life that is also naturally filled with the other fruits of the Spirit. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 6, 2017 in Isaiah

 

Proverbs 27:1

04 Oct

Proverbs 27:1 Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.

Dear God, I think this is a word of wisdom that comes with age. It comes with the experience of thinking, Oh, nothing can possibly go wrong, and then having it all go terribly wrong. It is the businessman who feels bulletproof with enough cash in the bank one day and his is fighting off bankruptcy the next because of a crash in the market. It is the parent who is bragging on their children one day and then terrified for their lives the next. It is the person planning their retirement one day and then fighting terminal cancer the next. 

So I guess the real lesson is that we need to be better about appreciating the moment we are in while always preparing our lamps to have enough oil while we await the bridegroom. We need to be vigilant. Even now, I am on an extravagant vacation, but there is a part of it that is unsettling to me because 1.) I don’t normally live this way and 2.) I know there is a lot of suffering going on in the world and it feels weird to completely detach myself from it and indulge myself. 

Father, I have moved beyond judging good fortune or bad fortune in relation to your favor with me. I know that they work quite independently from each other. So help me to just be the person today that you need me to be. Love others through me. Teach me through others. Use my life to make the world a better place.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2017 in Proverbs

 

1 Peter 1:3-7

03 Oct

1 Peter 1:3-7 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Dear God, I think it is always important for us to remember the lesson from Job–out life circumstances have little to do with youth favor or disfavor. In fact, since going through Job, I have stopped using the phrase “blessed” when talking about if I am doing well or if something good happens for me. The truth is, if something good happens I don’t know if it is part of your design or not. You are the giver of all good gifts, true, but your definition of a good gift and my definition of a good gift are probably different, so I should be careful about ascribing things to you. I think it gives others a bad example as they try to work out their own faith and separate your favor from their life circumstances. 

I had someone that I’ve only known for a couple of days tell me something kind about me and my disposition. She even remarked on my voice. I was flattered, but it made me wonder if, in the two days I have known her and her husband, have I used enough opportunities to let them know that anything good flowing OUT of me comes from you? If I am going to be experiencing something like the trip my wife and I are on, am I doing enough to reveal your power and glory to those around me?

Father, Peter talks about our final reward. Help me to embrace more and more the idea that you are there for us, you are good, and I can believe that regardless of what is happening around me. Help me to also be there for my wife. Help me to be the husband and friend she needs me to be. Use me on this trip not in isolation, but as part of the couple that you have made us to be. We are not your ambassadors as individuals, but also as two people who are one. Help us to live that out.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 3, 2017 in 1 Peter

 

Matthew 5:11-12

01 Oct

Matthew 5:11-12 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Dear God, I think that 21st century Americans misinterpret the meaning of blessing. This passage, for example, says that you will bless me if people persecute me and lie about me for my faith. We’d like to think that means, Oh boy! Someone is picking on me for my faith. It’s present time!! But that’s not the blessing you give and it’s not the present we should want. 

The presents you give are love, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, patience, and self control. When we are pressed, that enables you to manifest the fruits of the Spirit in us. Without struggling to submit ourselves to you it is hard to ever develop these gifts. 

Father, I am about to meet a group of people with whom I am about to spend the next 6 days. I have no idea what is in store for me socially with them or physically on this tour we are about to do. But I simply ask that you help me turn loose of my neediness to be liked and help me to simply represent you in the absolute most loving way that I can. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen

 
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Posted by on October 1, 2017 in Matthew

 

John 3:19-21

29 Sep

John 3:19-21 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” 

Dear God, first, I want to pray for your light. I pray that I will embrace it in my own life. I pray for it in my wife’s life. I ask that my children will embrace your light and let go of any darkness they think they need. 

And then there is the need for your light in the world. In politics. In business. In churches and nonprofits. In friendships and marriages. 

And what does your light bring? Freedom. Peace. Love. Joy. Patience. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Kindness. Self control. (Galatians 5:22-23). That is what I want for my world. That is what I want for my life. 

Father, I’m sorry for anything I try to conceal for what I think is my own preservation and protection. I offer you my life, my service, and my ego. All I ask is for your Spirit in return. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen 

 
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Posted by on September 29, 2017 in John

 

Matthew 6:31-34

27 Sep

Matthew 6:31-34 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Dear God, a couple of weeks ago I did a post about anxiety that I shared on Facebook. It really seemed to strike a nerve. It got a lot of “Shares.” My take away is that anxiety is very prevalent in our society. 

So what makes me anxious? I’m worried about work. Mainly funding, but also staff relationships and operational procedures and strategies. 

Then there is family. Some are going through season-of-life changes, some are divorcing, some are mourning the loss of spouses/parents, some are sick. 

Of course, I worry about my children. They are both living away from home and I think about them and how they are doing constantly. 

To some extent, I worry about our government leadership, although I have to confess that I am getting numb to the craziness in Washington and Austin. I’ve noticed friends of mine on both sides of the political spectrum getting REALLY upset by things that are happening. It seems like it is Midnight in America. That worries me a little. 

So what am I supposed to do about all of this? I’m supposed to daily, moment-by-moment, seek your Kingdom and choose to live righteously, and then you will give me what you think I need. Even if what I need is struggle–because sometimes I need a struggle so that I can remember to seek first your Kingdom–then that what I’ll get. 

Father, I don’t want to minimize the struggle that some face. I acknowledge that, compared to some, I don’t know what suffering is. I’m thinking of slaves and people being trafficked. I’m thinking of people in Africa who are victims of wars and warlords. Please free them. That is their need. Please show all of us who believe in you the role you have for us to play in their lives. We are your plan A. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2017 in Matthew

 

Hebrews 10:26-29

26 Sep

Hebrews 10:26-29 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 

Dear God, sometimes I run across passages that get me into uncomfortable territory. A lot of times they are the ones about heaven/hell and salvation/rejection. It can be frustrating to try to figure out where your lines are. I try to stop and think, Okay, as a dad, where would my lines be? But I am too flawed as a human father to possibly figure out where my lines would be compared to yours. 

As for my own behavior, am I intentionally sinning in any areas of my life? I watched a show last night that I enjoy, but one of the characters openly denies your existence. Is my watching of that show allowing Satan a foothold in my life, or is it just a harmless show that gives me entertainment? Are you holding anything against me?

Father, I guess the final answer is that I hope you find me faithful. I hope my life is an adequate living sacrifice–not because I want to do enough to get my fire insurance, but because you deserve that from me and you ask it of me for my good. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on September 26, 2017 in Hebrews

 

1 John 2:1-2

25 Sep

1 John 2:1-2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 

Dear God, I wish I had the kind of relationship with you where I could KNOW if some of the thoughts I have are of you or not. I woke up this morning with a sad, maybe you could even call it an alarming, thought about a relative. It was a new interpretation of something they told me a couple of weeks ago. Was our conversation a secret message that they needed help and I missed it? My wife says you tend to speak to me in my dreams. Is that what you did this morning? Were you nudging me?

Look at all of the question marks in that last sentence. This is what I’m talking about when it comes to wishing I could hear directly from you in audible, unmistakable words. I’m assuming that you don’t give us that ability on a regular basis because we can’t handle it (yes, I believe there are people who have the gift of prophesy which would be hearing directly from you, but even that isn’t 24/7, and they don’t have 100% accuracy in how they interpret what you say in their lives), but I wish there was a way that made things more obvious for me. 

I say all of this in relation to this verse because I fear something happened to this person where they made a mistake that needs your redemption, but they don’t know how to seek it or ask for it. So that is my prayer right now. Father, I pray that a couple of people about whom I am thinking right now will embrace the sacrifice you made, let go of their sins, receive your forgiveness, live in your redemption and freedom, and embrace your commands. I pray that your power would flow through them and that you would transform them into people who are worshippers of you, letting go of their burdens and embracing the yoke that you have for them to carry. And I pray the same thing for myself. I am sorry for the hundreds of times I fail you in my thoughts and in my words–in what I have done and what I have failed to do. Thank you for your death and resurrection through Jesus Christ, my Lord. I will worship you as best I can. 

By the power that his shed and resurrected blood I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 25, 2017 in 1 John

 
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