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Colossians 3:12-17

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:12-17

Dear God, I was in the Christian Men’s Life Skills class at the opening last night when the guy that does the ice breaker asked the question, “Would you rather be feared by everyone or loved by everyone?” No, I’ll say that it’s not a good dichotomy. One, I think you can be both feared and loved. Some guys wanted to say respected by everyone. Then there’s being liked. Hated. Some might find us annoying or charming. But given the question, just about everyone said loved. I said loved. Then when it was said and done, he said, “You guys say you want to be loved and not feared, but how many of your children or wives at home would say they fear you?” That was a sobering question. Then one of the leaders pointed out that there is no relationship in fear. There’s only relationship in love. I thought that was really good too. It was a great discussion.

I bring all of this up because I think it aligns with this passage really well. Clothing myself in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience is important. The Bible study teacher last night was talking about humility. I have to say, I was wondering how really important it is that I be respected, and what do I mean by respect? Do I mean the kind where people respect my integrity or do I mean the kind where it’s really another word for feared. I’ll take the integrity one. I don’t want to be feared.

I also like the part of this passage that talks about remembering how much you have forgiven me so that I can forgive others. When I have difficulty forgiving others, it’s usually because I’ve forgotten just how much you’ve forgiven me and how grateful I am for you.

Father, I want to let the message about Jesus and everything he was and is fill my life, and then I want to communicate this to others. When they respect me, I want it to be a respect that appreciates authenticity, consistency, integrity, and love for others. I’m going to be interviewing someone for a position today. Selfishly, I really want this to work out. But I don’t want to be foolish and do this in my own wisdom and without you. Help me to understand who this person is and whether or not this will be a good fit for us and for them. Bless and encourage my wife. Help her to feel loved by me and I hope she never fears me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 10, 2026 in Colossians

 

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Matthew 7:13-14

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell [the road that leads to destruction] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Dear God, I was with a group of men last night who are dealing with legal issues of one sort or another. All of differing degrees of seriousness. The meeting always starts with an icebreaker, and the question last night was, “Talk about a pivotal moment in your life.” About a third of the room talked about getting sober and the events (usually terrible) that led up to it. About a third of the room talked about a child being born and the realization that they needed to be a father for this child. I was actually both excited and embarrassed to tell them mine. It was back in July 1987 when I went to a Leadership Conference put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. It was there that I broke the cycle of just accepting you as savior and was actually taught to walk through the narrow gate.

The hardest part about having found the narrow gate is trying to describe it to others and encouraging them to find it too. I want for these men to discipline themselves into discipleship. I want my friends who haven’t found the narrow path to find it. Some young people look at my wife and me as “goals,” but they aren’t willing to do the work it takes to be who we are. And who we are isn’t perfect. We have our problems, sorrows, and laments. But we also have a sense of peace in you. I feel so loved and cared for by you even though everything isn’t perfect. My life could be, however, so much worse.

Father, help me show these men the narrow gate and know how to invite them to it. Help me to show them the narrow path and invite them to it. Help me to find the path today. Help me to die to myself, give up my agenda for this day, and embrace the activities you have for me. Help me to love others well. Help me to love you well.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 9, 2026 in Matthew

 

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Ephesians 3:10-19

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:10-19

Dear God, there are two things in this passage that struck me this morning.

  1. Verses 10-11: 10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. This is kind of a lament or me because I don’t think the modern American church “displays [your] wisdom in its rich variety” very well. I’ve prayed about this before, but the TV show Ted Lasso is unique because the main character is completely a-religious, but he remarkably displays almost all of the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. The one he is missing is peace. And I still don’t think he’s found it over the course of the entire series. But for the others, he displays those and then they spread to the rest of the characters. What would it be like if the Church, your Church, displayed the fruits of your Spirit like that (including peace).
  2. Verses 16-19: 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Speaking of the fruits of the Spirit, this is how they grow. Us dwelling with you and your dwelling in us. But we have to give the soil of our hearts continuous weeding, watering, and fertilizer so that our branch will grow deep into your vine. So our roots will graft into you. So that we will become one. Then it will be your love that keeps us strong.

Father, live and love through me today. Help me to keep my soil weeded and fed. Help me to spurn what is of this world and pursue you. Help me to give you all of the glory for everything good in my life. You and I both know my limitations–you know them better than me. I offer all of it and all of me to you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 6, 2026 in Ephesians

 

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Dear God, I do better when listed items are in bullet points as opposed to paragraph form. Here’s a reprint of what Paul encouraged at the end of this letter:

  • Honor church leaders.
  • Show church leaders respect and wholehearted love.
  • Live peacefully with those in your Christian community.
  • Warn those who are lazy.
  • Encourage the timid.
  • Care for the weak.
  • Be patient with everyone.
  • Do not pay back evil for evil.
  • Always try to be good to those in community and to everone else.
  • Be joyful.
  • Pray unceasingly.
  • Be thankful in everything.
  • Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Provide rich soil for him to grow in you.
  • Respect prophecies while still testing them.
  • Hold on to what is good.
  • Stay away from evil.

It’s almost like a mini Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) here. He touches being a comforter. Caring for others. Eye for an eye. Prayer. Thankful. Lead me not into temptation. It’s like I just need to let my mind soak in these thoughts today.

Warning the lazy is an interesting one. I wonder how Paul was defining “lazy” here and what he wanted people to do about it. Does lazy mean not doing labor or serving others (selfish) or is it as basic as someone not disciplining themselves to spend time in prayer and pursuing you? I have a feeling it’s the latter. There are several people in my life I’ve encouraged to take the time to discipline themselves to spend time with you. I feel like I’ve totally failed in that in their lives. I don’t think any of them are doing it.

Father, I offer myself to you today. I don’t want to be lazy. I also don’t want to just push through the work I have to do under my own power and lose sight of the fact that, in everything, I am serving you and loving others. Help me to carry all of these admonishments from Paul into my day. Teach me and grow me more and more into your image.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2026 in 1 Thessalonians

 

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1 Chronicles 29:1-9

29 Then King David turned to the entire assembly and said, “My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is not for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself! Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble.

“And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. I am donating more than 112 tons of gold from Ophir and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings and for the other gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”

Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king’s administrative officers all gave willingly. For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave about 188 tons of gold, 10,000 gold coins,[e] 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron. They also contributed numerous precious stones, which were deposited in the treasury of the house of the Lord under the care of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Dear God, I noticed two things when I read this passage this morning. One is not as important, but the othere is the one I want to spend some time on. The first that’s not as important is the difference between how 1 Kings 1 tells the story of Solomon ascending to the throne and how the succession planning is described here. It seems much more orderly and organized in this telling of the story. Which was it? I tend to believe the messier version. This one feels a little too tidy.

The more important thing I want to spend time with is the joy of giving. Verses 6-8 describe how the people all joined together in giving to you for your glory, and then verse 9 says, “The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.” There’s a reason you commanded us to love you and then love others. It wasn’t for you. It isn’t even as much for the others. Giving of ourselves is for us. Giving our possessions and money. Giving our time. I mentioned the other day that it feels like I’m getting more selfish with my time, and it’s starting to bother me.

Then I was praying with my wife this morning, and we were talking about some relatives we would love to be able to show love to, but we are physically separated from them and we can’t. My prayer was that you would raise up people in their lives who could love them for us. Then I thought to pray (Holy Spirit nudging?) that you make us those proxies to love others around us who can’t be loved by their loved ones.

Father, help me to be your ambassador. Help me to love well. Help me to celebrate you and then share that celebration with others. Help me to represent a life that is reconciled to you, and please make that life attractive so that others might be drawn into being reconciled to and in relationship with you as well. Do all of this for your glory and for my neighbors. And show me the cost that I must pay to do this, and help me to be willing to joyfully pay that cost.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2026 in 1 Chronicles

 

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Proverbs 15:1

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

Dear God, of course, this is great advice from Proverbs (Solomon?). I’ve gotten myself into trouble when I’ve hastily confronted someone instead of taking a beat, calming down, looked for ways to assume better of them and give them the benefit of the doubt, and then talked to them in a way that communicates I want the best for everyone involved. I can think of a few instances when I spontaneously decided to nip a problem in the bud and was confrontational. It NEVER went well.

The St. Francis Prayer includes the line, “Make me an instrument of your peace.” Yes. I want to be an instrument of your peace. I know Jesus talked about NOT being an instrument of your peace. The be willing to confront. That we might have to sacrifice relationships for you.

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Matthew 10:34-36

And while I still don’t totally understand what he was saying there, I can appreciate the idea that, at some point, my values will simply conflict with the world around me and you will call me to stand up.

I was talking to the guys at Christian Men’s Life Skills the other night about “ego,” and how it can be bad, but we also need a certain amount of it to establish our ow standards and who we are. It’s how we resist peer pressure. It’s how we determine who we are in our core. It’s where we get our self-esteem. The trick on ego is to not let it stand for “Edging God Out.”

Father. I wan tto be your man today. I will have opportunities to love, advise, and help. I will also have opportunities to receive love, advice, and help. Make me a great giver and also, for your glory’s sake, a great receiver.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 3, 2026 in Proverbs

 

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“Mary Picked the Roses” by Andrew Peterson (Rich Mullins)

“Mary Picked the Roses” by Andrew Peterson (Rich Mullins)

Mary picked the roses
Early in the morn
Mary picked the roses
As the day was being born
Mary picked the roses
To smell their sweet perfume
Mary picked the roses
But Jesus made them bloom

Joseph carved a table
From a piece of wood
Joseph carved a table
It was his livelihood
Joseph carved a table
Where kings could sit to eat
Joseph carved a table
But Jesus made the tree

And I write songs
These songs I sing (Hey, la la la)
I’d have none if not for Him
And I know whence came the tunes (Hey, la la la)
Because Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses bloom

I will soon be leaving
I will soon be gone
I will soon be leaving (I will soon be leaving)
But I leave for you my songs
Though this life is fleeting
And time is no one’s friend
I will soon be leaving (I will soon be leaving)
Jesus never ends

So I’ll write songs
These songs I sing (Hey, la la la)
I’d have none if not for Him
And I know whence came the tunes (Hey, la la la)
Because Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses bloom
Made the roses bloom
Made the roses bloom

Written by Rich Mullins, Andrew Peterson and Gabe Scott

Dear God, I was talking to the guys in Christian Men’s Life Skills last night about “ego” and how it can get in the way. How it can “Edge God Out” (E.G.O.). We talked about accomplishments and who gets the credit. We talked about David and Goliath and David giving you all of the credit while everyone else put their trust in the idols of armor or other people.

Then I heard this song this morning. There’s an intro that Andrew Peterson gives at the beginning of the included video, and he mentions that a young, early 20-something Rich Mullins wrote this song but never recorded it. I imagine Rich might have started with the concept of the chorus. I see him sitting and praying and writing songs and wondering about this unique gift he had. In that moment, he was able to take a beat and recognize it was from you. Then he probably started looking for parallels in the Bible. Mary and roses aren’t necessarily in the Bible, but the idea is certainly part of Catholic tradition. His mind linked Mary and roses, Joseph and wood, and then himself and songwriting to the same idea: none of it would exist without its creator.

Now it’s time to look at my life and wonder where I might be trying to take credit for things I shouldn’t. How do I look for glory for myself? Compliments for things that should only point to you and glorify you? I was talking Sunday in Sunday school about the angel talking to Manoah and his wife in Judges 13 and how the angel always deflected glory to you. Do I really do that?

Father, help me to direct all glory to you. I my thoughts and in my words. In what I do and what I don’t do. Please, Father, use it all to bring glory to your name regardless of what it costs me. May my life be about your glory and your glory alone.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 2, 2026 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Revelation 21:1-8

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 21:1-8

Dear God, as I read this passage this morning (verse 2-4 were the verses of the day for Bible Gateway), I thought about all of the teaching that has been done on the afterlife, the second coming, and even the rapture. Some of it has been based on this very passage. Some of it out of Thessalonians. Some from Peter. Some from what Jesus said in the gospels. Then I wondered, what would our theology be without this book? What if you hadn’t given John this “revelation,” and what if it hadn’t been preserved for us today? How much does our anticipation of an unknown future depend on all of this?

I also noted the “second death” mentioned in verse 8. I’ve learned in recent years about “annihilationism” or “conditional immortality.” They are basically the idea that it is possible to kill a soul. Eternal life in worship and service of you and a second death in the lake of fire. I honestly hope that’s true.

But I’m incredibly ignorant. There is so much I don’t understand. I was teaching the Sunday school class yesterday and Manoah and his wife (Samson’s parents) out of Judges 13, and one of the things the angel tells them is that his name is too beautiful for them to understand. Just his name is too beautiful for them to understand! How much more ignorant am I beyond that?

Father, Thank you that you are in charge. Thank you that, one day, I have serving and worshipping you n a more pure way to look forward to. I pray that you would have mercy on those I love, heal their hearts, and draw those who are running from you to you. As I teach Christian Men’s Life Skills tonight, help me to do it in a way that will draw the men to you. Prepare their hearts today for what they will hear from Jay, Larry, Joe, and me tonight. Prepare our hearts to share with them and love them.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 1, 2026 in Revelation

 

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Dear God, I’m not one to sit here and pine for heaven or the afterlife, but that is probably because I am a comfortable American Christian who doesn’t really understand suffering. I don’t appreciate wanting this life to be short so I can get on with your perfect afterlife.

I was thinking this morning about estranged parent/child relationships. I’ve known people who had prents die when they were estranged from each other. I’ve known people who have lost children to suicide and, at least to some extent, blamed themselves. I think the good news for all of these people is that, if there is eternity with you to be anticipated by all parties, these few years on earth will be but a blip on their existence. I think part of the appeal of heaven isn’t the paradise it will be, but the idea that it will render the pain experienced in this life practically non-existent.

Father, help me to be a source of comfort for others who suffer by offering them you and your comfort. And help me to rest in the comfort of the knowledge that the pain I experience is only temporary. And I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to at least consider the people in the world who DO know what suffering means. They are attacked, threatened, and killed for their faith in you. They are denied an opportunity to support themselves. They helplessly watch their families and friends be tortured. They have governments or mobs attacking them. Oh, Father, please help. Raise up your people or raise up someone who will come to their aid. If there is someone I should support in that, please show me and let me know. And as I get ready to teach this morning about Manoah and his wife, give me your words to say. Speak through me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 31, 2026 in 1 Thessalonians

 

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James 1:22-25

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:22-25

Dear God, I have a lot of anticipation about today, but it starts with this time with you. Before I go too far, however, I want to stop and acknowledge the sacrifice of women and men who have given their lives serving in the military. It is a special thing they have done. And I want to not only acknowledge the Americans who have done this. I want to acknowledge everyone who died a seeminly senseless death. A death due to the evils of men. This is coming to me even as I type these words. When I think about the cause of death in war, going all the way back into recorded time, it is usually the greed of at least one person who drives the loss of life, and then they get their own people to take up their charge and then other people are forced to fight back. The human condition is tragic. Our sin is tragic. It’s amazing how awful we are capable of being to each other and how often we follow through on that capacity. It’s what happens when we make idols and we don’t make you our God. It’s what happens when we become hearers of the word and not doers. Funny how that came full circle. But before I start talking about that, once again, I want to stop and honor the people who, throughout history, selflessly gave the one earthly life any of us get on behalf of their countrymen–especially the ones who sacrificed so I can be sitting here this morning, safely in my home, praying to you.

So, yeah, what happens when we are just hearers of the word and not doers? I think about the people who were at the Rededicate America 250 rally last week. Were they hearers of the word or doers? I suspect they were largely hearers of the word. And maybe it’s unfair or even sinful for me to label them this way. Maybe I should be working with the log in my own eye before I look at the speck in theirs. Forget maybe. I should definitely do that.

I want to be a doer of your word. I want to absorb what you have for me and turn it into action. The action should always be formed and motivated in my love for you and love for others. I should be about mercy and service. I should be about learning how to worship you and love others better and then teaching others to do the same.

Father, help me to do today. Help me to not worry about the people who were at Rededicate America 250, but to instead worry about rededicating myself and then turning that dedication to you into action throughout my day. Introduce me to people you need me to meet. Love me through people from whom you need me to receive love, and give love to people whom you need to receive love from me. Help me to “do” today. Help me to live the life you have for me today.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 25, 2026 in James

 

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