July 2, 2024

Romans 12:1

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

There’s an old preacher saying about this verse that goes, “The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar.” Paul appeals for us to present ourselves to God, putting everything we have at His disposal, in view of the mercies He’s shown us. What are those mercies? The Romans word is Justification. He made us Just even though we are very not Just. He allows us to come into His holy presence and be His forever.

And what do we do? We crawl away. The appeal Paul makes is for us to think about and remember the mercies. That will draw us to the Father, which is the only place for us to find happiness, real security, and the love we were made for. Why crawl away?

Prayer prompt: Lord, show me Your mercies everyday, so I will run to You rather than crawl away.

July 1, 2024

Psalm 46:4-5

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

In these verses, we have a reference to something you and I probably don’t think about much. It’s the idea that your town is much harder to besiege if it has a river running through it. They may stop food from getting in, but if you have a river, you have water. It was a sign of a well tended, almost invincible city.

The City of God is one of those cities. These verses, beautifully and poetically describe God’s city as impenetrable, a place of totally security, where all your needs are met. The Christian hope is a place where all of your fear is forgotten. In pandemic times, in violent aftershock times, find joy in remembering your true citizenship in your true city.

Prayer prompt: Lord, remind me of my true citizenship so I will move through this world, doing Your will, without fear.

June 29, 2024

Luke 10:21

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Jesus says these words in prayer and celebration after a group of 72 of His followers return from preaching about the Kingdom. They were jazzed, as we would be, because they could cast out demons. And Jesus says, “That’s nothing, I saw Satan fall from Heaven like lightening. Rejoice instead that your names are written in Heaven.” Then He sings, He rejoices over these little ones who have the Kingdom. 

There’s two options in life. You can either be the King, or bow to the King. Pride or humility. Jesus’ followers got a taste of power and started flexing, but Jesus quickly checks them. “You may be effective in ministry, but it’s only by using my name, I saw Satan fall from Heaven. Rejoice instead that you have Me.” How great is God that He would make the real joy of the Universe available to everyone? How dangerous is pride that it can keep you from it?

Prayer prompt: Lord, please protect me from pride and focus my eyes on You.

June 28, 2024

Isaiah 55:11

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

It can seem so empty to tell yourself or others Bible verses when things are hard. In the moment of temptation, verses can sound trite or even patronizing. In the moment of deep pain, verses can sound like a platitude and insincere. In the moment of contesting for the faith, verses can seem like a weak argument.

But remember who spoke those words, and what they’ve done so far. God, the Holy Creator and Lord of all, made everything by speaking. He upholds the Universe by the word of His power. And John started his gospel by referring to Jesus as the Word of God, the perfect expression of God given to us. To read His word, and to apply it to your life, is to touch something unspeakably powerful, something that always accomplishes what the One who spoke it purposed.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help me remember and pray Your powerful, powerful word.

June 27, 2024

Luke 8:25

25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

What do we do with faith? It seems like a muscle we should flex. If we do it right, then miracles happen. But that’s not what this story points too. The disciples were in a boat that almost capsized in a storm. It seems really appropriate to panic. Yet, Jesus makes it clear that a little faith would have lead to entirely different reactions.

If Jesus was a man, then yes, panic. But if He’s God, why would anything make them fear? If He holds the universe together with the word of His power, doesn’t it seem silly to think He wouldn’t be aware of the weather situation and able to knock it out? If they had had faith, they could have ridden out that storm with all the joy of a kid on a roller-coaster. Marvel at God’s greatness and then watch your fears shrink away.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to live like what is true is true.

June 26, 2024

Luke 2:13-14

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

There is a special kind of excitement that bubbles over, that just can’t be held in. The Angels just finished telling a group of shepherds about Jesus, and how there was a baby in swaddling clothes that they could go see. Not a verse later, as soon as the message was faithfully delivered, the angels split the sky open in song and celebration! “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Christianity is not primarily or first made of emotions. But it doesn’t lack them either. Does your walk burst with excitement? It shouldn’t always, there are times to mourn and repent, times to be sober-minded and serious. But there are also times to sing! If you are in Jesus, God is pleased with you! He sent Jesus to save us! That’s something to feel. I hope you split into songs and shouting, or at least a deeply felt grin from time to time today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please let the Easter truths sink down in and burst back up in song!

June 25, 2024

Luke 22:26

26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

This is a hard one. The youngest doesn’t get to pick. The servants don’t get to eat first or have much autonomy. When kids play make believe, everyone wants to be the Knight or the Princess. Nobody wants to be the slave. Why would Christianity set up this kind of upside-down value system? 

If you argue too much against it, you run into a problem. Jesus Himself set a pretty drastic example. You were never king of anything and your service to others won’t end up being too extreme. He is King of Everything and His service included drinking the full wrath of God for Humanity’s sin. He has set our example for true greatness. Will we take Him seriously?

Prayer prompt: Lord, You have served me so well. Please teach me to serve others.

June 24, 2024

Ephesians 6:19

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

I’m sure some people have been more bold than the Apostle Paul when it came to preaching the Gospel, but I can’t think of any. He preached in chains, from jails, to Kings and councils. Yet when it came time for him to give a prayer request, he asked for God’s grace to be bold in speaking about the Gospel.

Where are you? Are you bold? Have you given up? Gospel ministry isn’t done by tireless and fearless geniuses. Gospel ministry is done as a tireless and fearless God works through a humble people. Pray today for God’s grace to speak boldly and then make the leap. He is strong enough to give you words to speak.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please give us words and boldness as we speak about your good news!

June 22, 2024

Hebrews 11:1-2

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

We are always trying to make clear the difference between the Gospel that Jesus taught and the religion that man builds. In Hebrews 11, we see a long list of the great accomplishments of God’s people throughout the history of Scripture. It can be intimidating! They did those things and I can’t even get to church weekly.

But that’s just it. They did what they did by faith. If you read the chapter, over and over again the sentences start with the words, “By faith…”. That means that the big things God does through these people happens when they believe Him and start to act like it. They weren’t honored for their actions, but they were blessed by their faith. Start today by making that adjustment. What can God do through you as you simply start to trust Him?

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to really believe so my actions will follow.

June 21, 2024

1 John 3:14

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

Do you see the either/or of this verse? The Holy Spirit says we can have either love or death. Life is love, no love is death. To live selfishly or with pride, with yourself at the center, is to literally abide in death. What does that really mean? 

It means that one of the great tests of Christianity is your heart’s temperature. Do you love? If God’s love has met you and begun to change you then that love will flow out from you. You will really feel it. If you don’t, it doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t a Christian, but it does mean you’ve started choosing yourself, relying on yourself, instead of Him. Make the change today! Soak in His love.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help me to understand and feel your love so it will flow through me to the world.

June 20, 2024

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

These verses have all the appeal of a command to climb Mt Everest or run across the Lower 48. We have to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Do you know how far the ends of the earth are? And as soon as crazy Elon Musk colonizes Mars, we’ll have to send evangelists up there too. That’s exhausting just to think about. 

But don’t miss the first part of the verse. Jesus commands us fly and gives us wings. We will have the power to do what He calls us to do. Not because we will tap some unforeseen abilities in ourselves, but because He will provide it in the Holy Spirit. Step up to the long journey and trust in His strength to move you on.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to remember the power You’ve given me to accomplish Your plans.

June 19, 2024

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

How do you have peace in tribulation? How did Jesus sleep during a storm? There’s another story in the gospels about a storm raging to the point that Jesus’ followers were scared their boat would capsize, yet Jesus was asleep. They woke Him in a panic, but He simply got up, yelled at the storm, and the storm stopped. Jesus had peace in a storm because He had overcome the storm and knew He could at any moment. 

Do we have faith that Jesus will overcome the storm? There’s no question that we’re in a storm, we’ve got tribulations in this world. But do we trust that at any moment He will stop it, overcome it? In these verses Jesus uses the past tense. It’s already done. And soon we will see His total victory. Do you have peace in the storm?

Prayer prompt: Lord, I know you rule the universe from the biggest thing to the smallest; I trust you.

June 18, 2024

Galatians 6:9

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

I recently spoke with a guy who ran his first marathon. He told me about his plan for the race falling apart such that his last 6 miles were much harder than expected, yet he finished. His body was rebelling with each step, and yet he finished because he didn’t give up. He took things one step at a time. 

Working to be God’s light in this world will be contested at every step. Your joints will ache, your heart will break, and your tears will flow. There won’t be a single part that will be easy or even feel natural. But hold tight to a promise: there is an end to this race. If you don’t give up, you will reap a harvest. It won’t be easy and it won’t be short, but it also won’t be futile. Harvest time is coming!

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to trust your grace for each day and to keep the finish line in mind!

June 17, 2024

Romans 8:18

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

These verses can seem like cold comfort in the middle of some of the awful things we go through. If, however, you can hear these verses and dwell on them deeply, they can become an anchor to your soul now and later, in the sunlight and the darkness. 

The Holy Spirit assures us that the presence of God, His person, the glory of who He is is so overwhelmingly big, heavy, and spectacular that it will more than compensate us for the suffering we’re enduring. We aren’t told exactly how, nor are we able to see that glory nearly enough now as it is a glory still to be revealed. But, looking at Jesus and His work on the cross for us, we can get a glimpse of something so deeply good that we can be enticed. All will be well!

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to look at the cross and really know that you can bring glory out of suffering.

June 15, 2024

James 5:16

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Confession is simply the worst. I’m not sure there is anything more bitter in the mouth and yet sweeter in the belly. Our sin is like mold in the basement. The only way to get it out is to pull out everything, really dry out the area, and get light and air down to it. Do you have someone who can help air out your soul?

One counselor has said, “We are only as healthy as our secrets.” And that is true. God knows it all and He loves and forgives you. And He commands you to get others involved. In the gospel community, everyone admits they have sinned. It’s how you get in the door. When you come clean with your sin, you will find people who understand and who can help.

Prayer prompt: Lord, push me into community, so I can be enjoy confession.

June 14, 2024

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

It is important to go back to basics. The beginning point of Christianity is simply an admission: Jesus, I need you to save me. John 3:16 serves as the most basic introduction to Christianity that many have. And for good reason, it says the Gospel in a very brief and attractive way. Because of God’s great love, He acted toward us in the most sever and generous way by giving His Son who can become salvation for those who believe. 

While that verse can be the entrance to Christianity, don’t leave it behind as you move through the life of a Christian. It’s been said, “The gospel is not the ABCs of Christianity but the A through Z of Christianity.” In that one word, gospel, we have what we need to continue living for Him through disease, disaster, and just the deadening totally stop our society seems to have made. Cling to Him today remembering that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, let me meditate on your love, your salvation, and the hand that has reached out to bring me to You.

June 13, 2024

John 13:35

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Think about those classic spy movie scenes where the spy and his contact go back and forth through elaborate and silly phrases. At the end of the sequence, the spy’s identity is confirmed and he’s let into the back room. Passwords and secret handshakes, prearranged symbols to authenticate, to prove the genuine article. 

What’s our password in Jesus? What’s the thing we all really know, that gives the unmistakable scent, look, bearing, of someone who has known Jesus? The Lord told us: Love. To know God’s love is to be changed so thoroughly that love pours out of you. Is what characterizes you? Is that what you show to everyone you meet because you’ve been changed by Jesus?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to run to those in need rather than away, knowing your love and showing it.

June 12, 2024

Matthew 26:50

50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.

It is important to know that Jesus was in complete control as He went to die. Each of the gospels make clear that Jesus knew what was happening, and allowed it. In this part of Matthew, as Jesus is arrested, He speaks calmly to Judas even calling him ‘friend’. 

It’s crucial for a leader to seem cool under fire, whether he is or not. It gives his orders credibility and his followers confidence. Jesus didn’t just seem cool, with a sweat-of-blood understanding of what was ahead, He still calmly went through with the cross. And He did it out of love for you. That’s a leader we can follow.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I will follow your banner into any battle.

June 11, 2024

2 Peter 1:3

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

All things is a lot of things. All things that we need for life and godliness? All? I don’t know that I feel that way often, but here’s the promise. You are well supplied with everything you need for life and godliness.

And it comes from one place: knowing the one who called us into His own presence. The God who found us as enemies and made us friends has called us to His feast, His house, and His family. We have everything we need because we have Him. Have you let that sink in? Imagine what it would feel like to have the confidence of knowing you have everything you need.

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me to trust your abundance!

June 10, 2024

Romans 8:30

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Do you ever feel like the Christian life is a tight rope? You managed to find the start of this walk, but you could fall at any minute. Progress seems to be achingly slow. Making it to the end seems so unlikely that it’s probably impossible. How do you find the hope to keep walking?

This verse in Romans 8 flips us around. We’re not walking a tightrope, He is. He has predestined, called, justified and will glorify you. He will. If you look back at the verse, all the verbs apply to Him, not you. Breathe in, breathe out, work passionately, and always trust that He is going to finish the work He started. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for caring so deeply and keeping me so tightly held.