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Hebrews 10:32-34

31 Jan

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

Hebrews 10:32-34

Dear God, I am in a position of privilege, and I have friends who are not and suffering. What shall I do? What will be my response?

This was the New Testament reading for many church denominations today including the Catholic church. As I sat down to pray to you this morning, I was trying to think of a passage where Jesus comes to someone else’s defense. Maybe the woman who anointed his feet (probably the best example). The children who the disciples tried to keep away. To a lesser extent, some of the people he healed who were harassed by the Pharisees. But then I decided to check out the Catholic church’s daily readings for January 31, and I came across this passage. It really works well.

I don’t like bullies, but I am also not necessarily good at spontaneously responding to them. I need a plan. Yesterday morning, a friend was in tears. They told me they had been in a local shop and a customer told them they better get out because ICE was coming for them, and then they called my friend a racial slur. My friend happens to have been born and raised here, has a college degree, and works in a job serving the community. They are a great person by any measure. While they cried, all I could do was cry with them and speak truth into them. All of the good things I know about them and how much they mean to the community and to individuals they love. Frankly, I was surprised at my own tears, but I was actually grateful for them. I was grateful to know my heart is still capable of empathy.

Then that left me with the question for them and for me: What do we do the next time we experience something like that? For them, the next time someone does something similar to them. For me, as a privileged white man in the middle of Texas who will probably not experience racial discrimination on that scale, when I witness it. What will I do? And is there anything else you want me to do in the meantime? Is there a way I can make this pain count and not let it be wasted?

That takes me back to this passage. The author of Hebrews is talking about persecution because of you, but persecution is persecution. Even if my friend had been exactly what this person was purporting them to be–undocumented–it would have been no justification for that behavior. Those words. That venom. Verse 33 says, “…and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.” That’s me now. How do I help others? What price am I willing to pay? What am I prepared to do when, not if, I see this happen to someone? How much will I risk for them?

Father, we are so precious to you, and yet we see throughout all of our known history, human life is cheap to us. While there are natural disasters and diseases that kill us before old age can, too many people die at the hands of other humans. It’s incredible. As an American, I can sit here on this side of the world and not think about the human suffering and mass deaths in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, different parts of Africa, etc. They are just numbers in my mind. I’ve become numb to it. But now that I can put a name and a face to the human suffering, it hurts to see human life, the human life you’ve created and love so much, treated so cheaply. Help me to see each soul around me. Help me to love the abused and the abuser. Help me to know how to love the soul that is scared and help the soul that is so lost that they feel the need to inflict pain on another soul. And help me to lean into you. My heart hurt yesterday. I was sad. I was angry. I still am. But help me to be exactly who you need me to be for your kingdom’s coming into this world’s sake as well as my own.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 31, 2025 in Hebrews

 

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Mark 9:33-37

29 Jan

33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

Mark 9:33-37

Dear God, why is greatness our default position? I mean, really, at the time, those disciples were just a few of the hundreds of millions of people who were probably in the world. Now, I am one of 7-ish billion people on this world. And I’m just a human. Jesus even said as great as John the Baptist was, he is less than the least in your kingdom (Matthew 11:11). So, there are 7-ish billion people currently on this earth who are less than the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. I am just one of those 7-ish billion and I am not a great or powerful one. I live in the United States, and we think a lot of ourselves, but we only make up about 5% of that 7-ish billion. And not even a powerful person in this country. I’m just a man in a small town. And these twelve men to whom Jesus was talking were small men until they hitched their wagon to Jesus’s train, and Jesus decided it was time to humble them a little.

What I take from this is quite the inverse of what the disciples felt that day. First, it is the reality of how small I am, but second it the fact that I am truly that small and yet you love me so much. How can that be? You love your creation. You love me. You not only say you love me. You show you love me. You show you love others as well. Just this last Sunday, my wife and I decided to go to an early lunch on a whim. We then randomly picked a restaurant we maybe go to once every two or three months. One block away, at just the right time, we saw a woman from our church walking in the drizzle with one of her daughters. The woman was actually going to be part of an upcoming church service which started in 13 minutes and she was four blocks away. We were able to pick them up and take them to the church. I could see the stress in her eyes, making the best of a difficult situation, but it certainly felt like a divine appointment for us to be in that place at that moment. You cared about this woman. You cared about the church service. You cared about the little girl. And you used my wife and me. All of us so small, and yet you cared.

Father, there are a lot of people who need your care today. There are a lot of small people who are powerless and insignificant in the world who are scared. I really can’t imagine what that fear would be like. Some of them are children. Some of them are adults. Some of them are the elderly and even the infirm. I don’t know what to do to minister to them. To comfort them. Then there are those who aren’t targeted, but could be assumed to be part of them and are nervous about being attacked. Then there are those who aren’t targeted, but they are related to the targeted. All of us so small. All of us so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. But all of us so loved by you. I don’t know where all of this is going, but I pray that you will guide me in it. And love and comfort your people. And for those who aren’t yours, use this pain to make them yours. Don’t let this pain be wasted. Use it for your glory.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 29, 2025 in Mark

 

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John 4:1-26

28 Jan

4 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

John 4:1-26

Dear God, as I sat here this morning and was trying to focus on verses 23 and 24 and decipher what I thought it meant, I had this incredible thought come to me: I am so ignorant. If Jesus were physically here with me in this room, I wouldn’t even try to interpret this passage. I would just worship him. Well, I know the Holy Spirit is in this room with me. There could very well be an angel or two here as well. And demons. There could be demons. In light of yesterday’s scripture and prayer, I don’t know what is going on with the powers and principalities of this world. But I just all of a sudden had this incredible sense of humility before you. Who am I to even try to interpret Jesus’s words as preserved by Luke 2,000 years ago? I just need to worship.

Even as I typed this out, it hit me that maybe that is exactly the point Jesus was making in verses 23 and 24. Maybe that is the kind of worshipper you are looking for. Someone who will embrace the omnipotent, omnipresent God that you are, understand part of your nature is here with me now, and simply worship you with as much honesty, transparency, and humility as I can possibly muster.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, my Triune God, I love you, I worship you, and I thank you. I’m sorry for my selfishness and sin. I’m sorry for my lack of faith. I’m sorry for my fear. I’m sorry for the times you call me to act, and I fail to act. I’m sorry for the times you ask me to love people, and I fail to love them. I’m sorry for the times I feel sorry for myself and fail to see the good you are doing or have done. I bring all of that to you, lay it before you, ask that you continue to cleanse me, and offer this day to you. We have a staff meeting this morning at which we are going to be making some big decisions. Help me to lead in that. Let your Holy Spirit be among us. Guide us. There is pain happening right now among our staff and the clients we serve. There is fear. Don’t let that pain be wasted. Make it count. Make it all count for your good and your glory.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2025 in Luke

 

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Ephesians 6:10-12

27 Jan

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Dear God, with my limited mind, it can be so hard for me to remember this. I look around me and I think I am just fighting the bad ideas or idolatrous behavior in others. I think I am confronting their sin. Of course, I ignore my own bad ideas, idolatrous behavior and sin most of the time because I like my bad ideas, idols, and sin. I don’t want to get rid of those. But I need to remember that I am not fighting others, per se. I am not fighting my own nature either. There is a bigger evil happening in your world, and I need to engage it through engaging deeper and deeper with you. Then you will give me your eyes to see others for who they really are: your loved children. You will give me eyes to see my own bad ideas, idols and sin. You will reveal to me opportunities for me to repent before you and love, love, love.

So how do I do this? Paul continues in verses 13-18:

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Your truth. Your righteousness. Peace offered through Jesus. Faith. Embrace my salvation. Engage the Holy Spirit.

Father, walk with me today as I do these things. Give me your eyes to see. Give me your ears to hear. Give me your heart to love. Give me your wisdom and discernment so that I will know how to act proactively and then react to everything happening around me. Give me your peace so that others might be drawn to you through me. And I pray for the couple we met yesterday. I pray for my wife. I pray for my children and their significant others. My parents. My siblings and in-law siblings. My nieces and nephews. My coworkers. My friends. The people the place I work serves–all of them. Find each life. work in each person. Bring glory to your name. Let everything that has breath praise you.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 27, 2025 in Ephesians

 

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Luke 4:14-30

26 Jan

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19     and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.[f]”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:14-30

Dear God, I’m not sure where my head is going today. I have a lot of disparate thoughts. I’m thinking about the couple my wife and I are meeting with later and what you might need from us in their lives. I’m thinking about the attacks I feel on both of us right now as we prepare to meet with this couple. I’m thinking about the ministry my wife is doing this morning and how I hope you bless her through this as much as she is blessing others. I am thinking about some concerning news at work that isn’t tragic, but simply attention-getting. Actually there is one other thing at work that is really frustrating me as well. Of course, there is my constant sorrow. And that’s just the stuff that is on my heart at the moment. There are also pains in our country and our world that make me ache and lament. There is extreme brokenness in faith and relationship with you, even among those who say they call on your name.

So, with all of that being said, I come to you this morning asking that you be in each situation as I think about these people 2,000 years ago who sat there one morning and heard “Little Jesus” come back home and read Isaiah to them. They went in with one set of expectations of him. They expected to be proud of him. To feel like they had a part of him, and maybe even feel responsible for having helped Mary and Joseph raise him here and there. But he damaged their self-esteem. He didn’t only make them feel less than they wanted to feel as people from his hometown. He intimated that they weren’t even any better than Gentiles. In fact, in some ways, they were worse! They went from warm fuzzies to rage in almost an instant. What was it in them that got so incensed? Is there any of that attitude in me?

Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus, be with me today. My Triune God, be with me today. Love others through me. Reach them through me. Let that start with my wife. Love her through me. Comfort her. Guide her. Show me how to parent my children. Show me how to love and honor my parents. My siblings. My nieces and nephews. My friends. My coworkers. The people you put in my path. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Although I’m a Gentile, as a Christian, in a lot of ways I can relate to the arrogance of the people in that room with Jesus that morning. Help me to be humble and kind to those who disagree with me. Help me to be loving. And use me to draw them closer to you, and use them in my life to draw me closer to yourself as well.

I pray to the Father in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2025 in Luke

 

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Acts 9:10-16

25 Jan

10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Acts 9:10-16

Dear God, I don’t know that I’ve ever spent enough time with Ananias. We started visiting a Baptist church when I was eight years old, and, to my memory, this is the first Sunday school lesson I heard. I could obviously be wrong. That was 46 years ago, and eight-year-olds aren’t known to carry the most accurate memories forward, but I can still picture the little Sunday school book that had each week’s lesson for the quarter, and I have vague recollections of what the pages and illustrations look like. The name Ananias is burned in my brain. Maybe the teacher stressed this point, but for some reason I remember thinking about how scared Ananias must have been.

I don’t know what you are calling me to do at any given moment. I don’t know whom you have for me to encourage, teach, serve, or even protect. But I know there are times when I am afraid of others. I know I don’t like to stick my head up and risk.

Going back to Ananias, he was already risking. In Acts 22, Paul describes him as being a respected Jewish person. So he had already stepped out and risked a lot just by believing in you. But then he was asked to risk imprisonment by offering himself freely to Saul’s presence. Ananias might have even been on someone’s list that would have been given to Saul when he got to town. And he questioned you. He made his fear known to you. In this case, you told him it would be alright. And it was through this plain, good man who was a believer that you helped Saul become Paul, and you made it clear to the Jewish members of The Way that people like me are loved by you as well. You used Ananias to help Paul so Paul could put things in motion to the point where you were able to convince me that you love me as well.

Father, I have no desire to do anything great. Well, that’s not true. There is a carnal part of me that would love to know I have made a real impact for you in the world, leading great numbers of people into deeper discipleship with you. But I also repent of that because it means a certain amount of glory for me, and I know that as soon as I start pursuing the idol of glory I will lose my grip on you, my God. So I ask that you will simply use me today, whether unwittingly or intentionally. Show me what you would have me do. Show me who to love. Show me how to love. And, of course, receive my worship. You are my God. I put my trust in you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 25, 2025 in Acts

 

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Luke 19:11-15

23 Jan

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’

15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. 

Luke 19:11-15

Dear God, I want to spend some time with this parable this morning because I learned something about it yesterday that, if I ever knew it, I had forgotten. Basically, Jesus is comparing himself with Herod for those who are listening. When he said a nobleman went to have himself crowned king and there were people who protested his appointment, he was referencing Herod and how he came to power, but in this case, he was putting himself in the place of Herod and letting them know that 1.) there would be a delay between the present time and what they wanted and 2.) his rule and his edicts would be as final as Herod’s were. To quote the commentary I used this morning: “Jesus is telling a contemporary story in veiled terms. In the parable, the nobleman was given the kingdom and he returned to slay those who didn’t want him in power. A Christians, we believe that Jesus is the King and that in the last days He will return to His Kingdom. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or one who practices any brand of non-Christian religion doesn’t change that reality. Jesus tells us through this parable, “Right now you are free to debate and argue, but when the final curtain is closed, I am Lord!” (Communicator’s Commentary: Luke by Bruce Larson)

I guess this whole thing challenges me because, at some level, I do want to see you as a “pushover God.” I want to put you in my box and have you do what I want you to do and behave how I want you to behave. I don’t want to think of Jesus as exercising authority the way Herod would. I’ve sometimes wondered what it would have been like to be around Jesus a lot like the disciples were. I don’t think I would have liked it. I think I prefer to have the ideas in my head but then make my own rules and live by my own opinions throughout each day. Even though a lot of those rules and opinions are wrong.

Father, I’m not sure exactly what to take from this except to be more in awe of you and more sober about how I interact with you. Even these times of prayer should not be approached lightly. I am address the God of the universe. My God. Can I possibly be as casual as I normally am? I’m sorry for ever treating you as less than you are. You are my God. I am your servant. Thank you for your loving heart towards me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 23, 2025 in Luke

 

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“Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher

21 Jan

… Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

… Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

… Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

… Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

… So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

… Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

… My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Matt Maher / Daniel Carson / Jesse Reeves / Kristian Paul Stanfill / Christy L. Nockels

Dear God, I woke up this morning with this song in my head. I’m pretty sure we sang it at the church I visited this last Sunday to bid farewell to a pastor friend of mine who was preaching his last sermon before retirement. I’m kind of surprised the song stuck with me over the last two days, but when I found myself singing it this morning, I thought I would spend some time with the lyrics and use them to pray to you. You know, Father, I do, indeed, need you.

Right now, I’m sitting in my warm home in South Texas with snow on the ground outside. It’s kind of fun, but I know there are people who don’t have a warm place to be, and I haven’t cared. Granted, there is only so much I can “care” about. There is so much awful in the world, and even in my community, that happens on a continual basis, and I cannot care about everything. But I know you do. I know you care about the people who are cold right now. Maybe they are homeless and living in their car–if they have a car. Oh, Father, they need you, oh, they need you. Every hour they need you. Please be with them somehow.

As for me, you have given me a set of people with specific needs to love. Help me to love them well. Whether it is through my vocational work, my side projects, my volunteer work in the community, or my relationships, I have work to do. Help me to do it well.

Father, without you, I fall apart. When my sin runs deep, so does your grace. Help me to withstand temptation. Help me to worship you well. Help me to love you. Help me to love others. Lord, I need you, oh, I need you. Every hour, I need you. You’re my one defense. My righteousness. Oh, God, how I need you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 21, 2025 in Hymns and Songs

 

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James 1:2-3

20 Jan

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

James 1:2-3

Dear God, I had a trouble this morning, but it was of my own making. I let fear and lack of faith drive me to a dark place of anger and retribution. I lashed out at someone I shouldn’t have, and as I think about it, I think it boils down to the fact that I was worried and I didn’t bring my worry and fear to you. I didn’t let the fruit of love, patience, kindness, self control, and gentleness flow through me. Instead, I went back to my carnal motivations and actions. I am ashamed. I’m ashamed before you. I’m ashamed before the person I lashed out at. I am sorry.

So what is the opportunity for great joy here? I’m writing this on MLK Day, and I’m preparing to go to a ceremony at the courthouse at noon. Black people and people of all different races have experienced troubles of many kinds in this country that I’ve never faced. But what did someone like Dr. King do? He considered it an opportunity for great joy. His faith was tested, his endurance grew, he changed the world, and even though he suffered assassination, you even used that to continue his legacy.

As for my joy in my mistake, it’s to learn, do better, and then teach others from my mistakes. The stakes are much lower for me than they were for any person of color regarding the suffering they’ve experienced, but maybe it’s a stepping stone for me as I likely have more troubles before me.

Father, I will consider this day joy. Help me to love you well. I give you my praise, any glory that starts to come my way, and honor. I am sorry for how I failed you and others this morning. I believe. Help my unbelief.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 20, 2025 in James

 

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Dear God…

19 Jan

Dear God, my prayer time with you has been feeling a little too formulaic lately. And formulaic isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It promotes consistency. But it can also promote numbness in the process. Kind of a “going through the motions” condition that isn’t good for me. I mean, it’s better that I’m doing this than not doing it, but the effectiveness can quickly degrade if I don’t take a moment and pull myself out of the rut.

So I just want to talk with you this morning. I want to start with the writing projects I’ve been working on. They seem unique and useful. Are they? Are they for anyone else or have they just been for me? What should I do next? Please guide me and make my path straight.

I want to pray for my wife. She has a myriad of things going on. Guide her. Love her. Love her through me. Love her through others. Love her in her quiet moments through a real sense of your presence. Use her work for your glory. Heal her wounds. Impart your hope to her. Much like you gave Mary encouragement through Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, raise up people in her life who will give her your encouragement. Point her in the right direction in all of her work. And unite us completely together: mind, body, heart, and soul. Make us completely one under you.

For my children, help them to feel your love. Help them to feel my wife’s and my love. Heal their wounds. Point them in the way you would have them go. Raise up people in their lives who will be your encouragement and words to them. Comfort them. Inspire them. Call them.

For the couple the church has asked us to work with through a pre-marital curriculum, I pray for them as individuals and as a couple. Foundations are so important. Help them to lay that foundation well. Give my wife and me the words to share with them that will help guide them. Use us in their lives however you will. Prepare their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls for marriage. And use them in my wife’s and my lives. Make us better for our experience with them.

My parents are having health issues. Give them answers. Give them direction. Give them comfort. Thank you for the resources you have put together for them.

For our nieces and nephews, I ask that you would please meet each one where they are. Love them. Encourage them. Heal them. Inspire them. Call them. Raise up people in their lives who will be your voice to them. Help them to feel your love.

For the pastor to whose retirement party my wife and I are going today, give him and his wife great direction and comfort. Love him. Encourage him. Love and encourage her as well. This is a shift for all of them. Guide them in that shift. Show him what’s next for him. Do the same for my other pastor friend who retired last summer. Give him and his wife clear direction, support, and affirmations through the people you put around them.

For our siblings, each one is in a completely different place in life. Each one has different priorities. Guide them. Love them. Call them. Show my wife and me what role you have for us in their lives.

For my friends who are mourning the loss of their spouses, I pray your direction and comfort. You promised to comfort those who mourn. Comfort them now, please. Comfort them tomorrow as well. Show my wife and me how to be your comfort to them.

And since tomorrow is the inauguration, I suppose I would be remiss if I didn’t pray for soon-to-be President Trump, Vice President Vance, the new cabinet, the new Congress, the 2025 Texas legislative session, Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, and everywhere else in the world where suffering is happening. Regardless of their hearts, guide all leaders in the path you would have them go. Alleviate human suffering. Show us, your church, corporately and as individuals, how you would have us respond to each situation.

I pray this and so much more in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2025 in Miscellaneous

 

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