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Tag Archives: God

Proverbs 15:1

03 Jun

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)

02 Jun

“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

01 Jun

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. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 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. 4 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.”

5 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.” 6 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. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

8 “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

31 May

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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Psalm 56

30 May

Psalm 56

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

1 O God, have mercy on me,
    for people are hounding me.
    My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
    and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

5 They are always twisting what I say;
    they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me—
    watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
    in your anger, O God, bring them down.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.

9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
    and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
    you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
    in your life-giving light.

Dear God, would this be a psalm of disorientation or reorientation? I am grateful we get the context for it in the introduction. When did the Philistines seize David in Gath? 1 Samuel 21 after he took Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech when David was running from Saul and escaped to Gath:

10 So David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath. 11 But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. “Isn’t this David, the king of the land?” they asked. “Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing,

‘Saul has killed his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands’?”

12 David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. 13 So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

14 Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? 15 We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?”

I never read this story before and thought about the fact that they had “seized” David as they brought him to King Achish, but that’s how the introduction describes the psalm so I’ll go with that image. I can’t wait until I teach this story from 1 Samuel to the guys in Christian Men’s Life Skills in a couple of weeks. Adding this psalm will be something fun. Wow! The Bible has so many layers and hyperlinks between the texts. For an uneducated man, it feels almost impossible to get my head around them. I guess that’s kind of how it is with you. There’s just so much to you! How can any of us think we’ve cornered the market on your truth or wisdom.

This is a different topic, but I was curious about a Christian singer I used to love in the early 90s so I looked him up this morning. What I found made me sad. He seems to have gotten angrier. He was pretty dogmatic and challenging back then, but what attracted me to him was being challenged to love you more and love others more. Kind of a Keith Green vibe. But now he just seems angry and, frankly, a bit deluded. I didn’t get any fruits of the Spirit vibe from what I read about him (and I read it direclty from his personal website, so I went to the source). He released a new album in 2024. I tried listening to some of it. Even the instrumentation sounded angry. I wondered if he thought these were the kinds of songs Jesus would sing along to if he were here in the flesh today. They seemed more like the kind of thing Moses would have written in his fury toward the Israelites coming down from the mountain. And yes, there is a place for the anger Moses had, but that anger seems to have completely permeated this man. His head shots showed an intense face, not a smiling, compassionate face. His description in his about page railed against the Christian music complex, but was self-aggrandizing at the same time. It was just a sad mess that left me…well, at first it just repulsed me. Now as it has soaked in over the last couple of hours, it makes me concerned for him. I was a real fan back in 1990. I bought his CDs in a time when I couldn’t really afford CDs. I went and saw him once in concert about 40 miles from where I lived while I was still in college. I remember featuring his music in the record club I managed, even when he was past his musical prime and the things being produced were greatest hits collections.

Okay, I really went down that rabbit hole, but maybe there was purpose to it. David was teetering here, trying to figure out how to survive moment to moment and still worship you. This psalm is David calling on you for help to escape both Achish, and, presumably, Saul, and yet he is lying and deceiving Achish for his survival. Is that much different than Peter lying in the garden? I mean, yes, I know Peter was denying knowing Jesus and being a disciple while Davis was only pretending to be crazy, but still…deception to save their own skin is a common thread between them. But that’s one of the things I love about David. He sinned. He sinned A LOT. But he was seeking you as well. He was imperfectly, pitifully, but earnestly seeking you. I love that about him.

Father, I am completely imperfect. I fail. I sin. I lie. I cheat. I lust. I hate. I judge. I’ve made mistakes as a husband, father, boss, friend, and community member. I just pray that you have also found me earnest in my seeking of you and pursuit of you. And I pray for this Christian artist. His current state of heart has touched mine. I know my current faith is imperfect and people could come to me and criticize any number of things, so I don’t sit here in judgment of him. Oh, I was judging him earlier this morning, and I am sorry for that. But my current thoughts are revolving around finding a way to love him and pierce a darkness I think he’s grown comfortable in. Help me know what to do, and if there is a role you would like me to play in his life. This is the second time he’s been on my heart in the last year or so. Maybe this is you nudging me. Guide me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 30, 2026 in 1 Samuel, Psalms

 

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“One Hundred Three” – Antioch Music – James Mark Gulley

29 May

“Psalm 103”

VERSE 1 
Father full of love 
You have not dealt with us 
according to our sins 
Father full of love 
You have shown mercy 
mercy for Your children 

For You know that we are merely 
dust in the wind 
And You know that we are weary 
from this world that we live in 

PRE-CHORUS 
But You are strong and You are mercy 
Great are You here in this place 
You are love and You're forgiving 
You've turned this world around 
by the pouring of Your grace 

CHORUS 
Bless the Lord O my soul 
Bless His holy name all the earth 
Bless the Lord O my soul 
You are worthy You are worthy 

VERSE 2 
Father full of love 
You wrap us up in grace 
crown us with compassion 
Father full of love 
You heal our sicknesses 
every single one 

BRIDGE 
You are worthy of blessing and honor 
Glory and power wisdom and thanks 

#AntiochMusic

Dear God, I started singing along with this song this morning, and I just go overwhelmed with worship for you. It was almost too much. In fact, I found myself having to throttle it back a little. Oh, how I do love you. I do need you. There are times when I get upset at myself for not praying to you more in supplication, but I think one of the reasons I struggle with intercessory prayer is that I don't necessarily think of you as this great "hander out of favors in the sky." You are God. I'm here. Yes, I need help with my family. Yes, I need help with my work. Yes, our community, state, nation, and world need help. We need you. I need you. But what I really need, above all, is relationship with you. I want to be more like David in purusing and wanting to know you, as opposed to Saul who just wanted to revere you. Yes, I revere you, but I want to know you, be known by you, and worship you. 

Father, full of love. You have not dealt with me according to my sin. Father, full of love, you have shown me mercy and mercy for all of us. You know that I am merely dust in the windn. You know I am weary from this world. But you are strong, and you are mercy. Great are you here in his room right now. You are love. You are forgiving. You turned this world around by the pouring out of your grace. Help us know how to live into that. And let me close by saying, bless the Lord, oh my soul. Bless his holy name, John. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. You are worthy, Father. You are worthy. 

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen
 
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Posted by on May 29, 2026 in Hymns and Songs, Psalms

 

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Judges 16:28-31

28 May

28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

Judges 16:28-31

Dear God, I need to look some things up. There’s a quick reference in verse 31 to Samson’s “brothers.” Was Manoah’s wife able to have more children after Samson or is this a vague reference to cousins or something? Here’s how the New American Standard put it: “Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years.” We know at least his father is dead. Likely his mother as well, otherwise I would think she would have been mentioned here.

I’d be curious to know, just through the “butterfly effect” of Samson’s life and all of the killing he did, how this moved the needle for future generations. How did the deaths of the Philistines who died during Samson’s time ripple through Israelite and Philistine (and even our own) history. For me and my ignorant perspective, Samson’s life seems like a wasted life. He doesn’t seem worshipful of you. He seems completely self-centered and selfish. I can’t help but wonder how many people in Israel celebrated the day he died. Maybe now they could go back to “going along to get along” with the Philistines.

I can only imagine how much more so Manoah and his wife had at least some of these same feelings. If I had been them, I would hav felt like I failed you. But the auther of Judges gives us no hint that you are displeased with how any of this turned out. In fact, they actually intimate you were okay with it because you heard Samson’s selfish prayer and granted it. The only thing that makes this story make sense to me is that all of these events must have combined to get the world to the place you needed it to get to in order to ultimately set up Jesus coming to earth thousands of years later.

Father, the good news is that I don’t have to understand. What I can do is use these stories from the Bible to embrace my smallness and ignorance. You are my God. I will worship you today. I’ll do my best. I’ll do my best to love others, do good work in my job, and then do the other things you’re calling me to do. I love you.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 28, 2026 in Judges

 

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Judges 14:1-5

27 May

14 Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” 3 But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

Judges 14:1-5

Dear God, it’s too bad we don’t get any stories from Samson’s childhood. He was born and now, all of a sudden, he’s ready to get married. He presumably has long hair and an unruly beard (I assume the razor rule applied to his facial hair too). And he is apparently pretty unruly when it comes to his personality too. Did it have to be this way for your plan to work. Manoah and his wife seem like legitimately sweet people. It feels like they were simply ill-equipped to handle their son’s personality.

Yet, this is who you chose to be Samson’s parents. I’ve no doubt they did their best with him. I am sure they felt extra pressure to be good parents given their two angel visits. I’m reminded of a guy my dad knew years ago who used to say that you chose our parents for us. They were who you wanted us to have. I’ll confess, I think about some children who are abused and question that sometimes. I know a boy right now who seems to have been set up for failure in life by the parents you chose for him. I want to go ahead and stop and pray right now that you will raise up people in his life who will guide him on the path you have for him. Draw him to yourself. Use this pain of his childhood to form him into the man you are calling him to be. Don’t let this pain be wasted. It’s too great to be wasted.

Of course, Father, as I sit here I can only think of my flaws as a father. How I let my children down. I did some good things to be sure. Some really good things. As I see them living good lives right now, I can see my wife in there. I can even see myself. But I also know I got a lot of things wrong. I’m sorry. I love you. I love them. Please use the pain all of us have experienced to be glorified in us and through us. Help us to all worship you well. Help us to love justice, seek mercy, and walk humbly with you. And I pray this for their significant others as well. They are our family too, and I wish I could do more to know and bless them.

Oh, you know what? I was about to wrap up, but this just made me think of something: daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. Ever since my children started dating, I’ve told people–and this is true–that what I really looked for in my kids as they were dating someone is whether or not I saw good fruit growing from them through the relationship or if I saw bad fruit. And there were definitely differences. It was always fun to see good fruit brought into their life through their relationship with another person. And it was discouraging and even heartbreaking to see bad fruit. I know that’s one of the things Samson’s parents were afraid of with this match with a Philistine woman. They wanted to see good fruit in Samson’s life, and how could that happen if he married a Philistine. I’m sure they had dreams of who he would be for Israel after the angel’s visit. How could this match lead to that? But as Judges 14:4 says, “4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.” Father, in the things that break my heart, help me to be at peace in the hope that you are seeking an opportunity through the circumstances that concern me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 27, 2026 in Judges

 

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Judges 13

26 May

13 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, 5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name, 7 but he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’”

8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.” 9 And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her. 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, “Behold, the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me.” 11 And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to this woman?” And he said, “I am.” 12 And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” 13 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. 14 She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. All that I commanded her let her observe.”

15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.” 16 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.) 17 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” 18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” 19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works[a] wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground.

21 The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. 22 And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.” 23 But his wife said to him, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.” 24 And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Dear God, I like this couple because they seem so common. They are two people trying to live their lives while the Philistines have all the power. They are just scratching out a living when your angel comes to Manoah’s wife and gives her great news. I’m curious about the grape/wine thing. Was that just for her? Was that kind of a “don’t drink while you’re pregnant” thing? Was the only rule for Samson to not cut his hair?

And poor Manoah. I say “poor Manoah” because he seems a little hapless. She seems to be the brains of the couple, but he seems really earnest and sweet. Is that all you needed him to be. Later, Samson will grow up to be a little unruly. Was that what you needed of him? Did he need to be a little unruly? Did you give Samson the exact father you needed him to have?

Father, I’m just a common man trying to make my way through this day. I have a finance committee meeting for our nonprofit coming up in a few minutes. Help me to be ready for that. Help me to be the man you need me to be for our organization. Help me to worship you and love you well through my work, through my personal life, and through my discipling life. Help me to love others well and to love you well. And for whatever my failings were as a father, please redeem them to be exactly what will bring my children to where you want them.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2026 in Judges

 

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James 1:22-25

25 May

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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