1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Dear God, there are a couple of things in here that make me think. First, you chose to not pour out your anger on me, but to save me through Jesus. It was a deliberate choice. I was listening to an interview with the late Rich Mullins the other day, and he made a distinction between being used by you and being wanted by you. He pointed out that a lot of people were used by you who weren’t all that great. From the Nebuchadnezzars of the Old Testament to Judas and Pilate of the New Testament. But Jesus picked the disciples because he wanted them. This passage from 1 Thessalonians reminds me that you wanted and still want me. Of course, as part of my worship of you I want you to use me as you will, but my value isn’t found in that usefulness. It’s simply found in the fact that you want me.

The second thing that strikes me about this passage is the part about encouraging others and building each other up. Beyond how I talk to people and say things to them that are encouraging and uplifting, another important part of this is how I think and talk about them when they are not there. One of my favorite things to do with my wife is after we leave a party or some sort of gathering, to talk about the positives in the people we saw there. It’s amazing what it does for my spirit when I dwell on the good things in others that you see. Conversely, if we leave a gathering and have something negative to say about someone or a situation, I’ve found that it darkens my own spirit. So my encouragement and uplifting of others needs to not only be to their face, but also behind their backs.

Father, thank you for wanting me. Thank you for building something in me that benefits from exhibiting positivity, forgiveness, and mercy. Thank you that my soul can tell the difference when I violate these principles and give in to judgment, criticism, and insecurity. Be glorified in my life. Spread your kingdom into the world through not only my life, but through your church. Bring us home to our first love, and help us to recognize and then destroy the idols we construct to take your place.

I pray all of this as a grateful man who gets to pray through Jesus’s blood,

Amen

 

Mark 11:27-33

²⁷ Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. ²⁸ They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

²⁹ “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. ³⁰ “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

³¹ They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. ³² But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. ³³ So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Mark 11:27-33

Dear God, I read an article this morning about the culture wars and companies getting “canceled.” This particular article was talking about how large companies can no longer stay neutral on culture war issues as is evidenced by Chick-fil-A angering conservatives because they did some diversity training for their employees and hired an executive to be in charge of diversity initiatives.

I thought about this when I read this passage this morning. In a lot of ways, the Pharisees were trying to carefully navigate the line between your truth and the mob’s opinion. Of course, in their case, they were wrong about John and about Jesus, but I don’t judge them too harshly for their skepticism since I would probably have been skeptical about Jesus too had I been there.

I guess what I need to determine for myself is what is important to me and where do I draw different lines in my life? For example, I have my opinions on LGBTQ+ issues, but, frankly, a lot of them are only partially formed and are not of highest priority for me to figure out. If asked about my love for everyone, my willingness to hire in a diverse way and certainly to serve clients of every walk of life, I am comfortable with how I would answer, but am I willing to take the stands that need to be taken in other areas of my work? Like with the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), for example. Students of all types need your help. Am I willing to stand in the gap so that they might feel loved and, ultimately, drawn to you?

Father, when I read this story, I know I am a lot closer to being a Pharisee than I am to being one of the apostles. Holy Spirit, reveal to me what you would have me do. Reveal to me the love you have for others. Reveal to me how you feel about different behaviors and lifestyles while also demonstrating to me how to take that knowledge and apply it. I was reminded this week that the message of the apostles in Acts was not about the difference between going to heaven or hell, but it was about attracting people to freedom of release from their sins and also a life lived as Jesus lived. Let that be my mantra as well, and then, Holy Spirit, I will let you take care of the convicting of sin from there.

I pray all of this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 

Romans 12:9-6

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Romans 12:9-16

Dear God, in other words, “Get over yourself, love God and love others.” I wonder if a song has ever been written based on this passage. It’s one of those great admonitions I might hear at a graduation ceremony. If I were to ever give a commencement address, I can see building the whole thing around this passage.

When I sat down this morning, my first thought was that I really need to focus on worshipping you. I haven’t taken the time to pray in this way in a few days and I can feel it. I miss you. Yeah. I’ve missed you. So I want to worship you this morning. You are this unbelievable… well, God, and I am humbled in front of you. I’m just here right now to worship, bow down, and say that you’re my God.

Father, may the words of my mouth, the acts of my hands, and the meditations of my heart bring glory to you today.

I pray this through the grace of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection,

Amen

 

Acts 2:1-11

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
Acts 2:1-11

Dear God, the first thing I thought of when I read this passage this morning was the first: “…all the believers were meeting together in one place.” Together. Community.

I’ve never liked church services. You know this. I’ve told many people this. The act of me going to church is an act of pure self-discipline. I remember when my kids were little and they said they didn’t want to go, claiming they didn’t get anything out of it. I would respond that maybe there was someone there that morning who needed them. For my own part, there are times when I go that I am actually very moved. There are times when someone really blesses me. And there are times when I am able to visit with someone who needs someone to talk to or to maybe just say hi to them. If I am not there to greet that visitor who comes looking for you, and everyone else takes my attitude then who will be.

Just think of the people who weren’t there that morning 2,000 years ago. Was there anyone who intended to be with the disciples and didn’t make it? Did they miss you?

Father, I need to wrap this up, because I need to board a plane, but I just want to say that I’m sorry for the times I was too lazy and I either missed you and what you had for me or I missed what you had to do through me for someone else. Thank you for community. I pray for community for those I love.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 

Acts 28:16-31

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

‘Go and say to this people:When you hear what I say,you will not understand.When you see what I do,you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened,and their ears cannot hear,and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see,and their ears cannot hear,and their hearts cannot understand,and they cannot turn to meand let me heal them.’

So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.” For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Act 28:16-31

Dear God, this is such an amazing book by Luke, and then it comes to this abrupt end.

But beyond all of that, I don’t think I ever noticed this last line before: “And no one tried to stop him.” What an interesting thing for Luke to point out. What it says to me is that you put him in a unique position, through being imprisoned on house arrest, to share the gospel in a way he probably wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do. For two years, he preached, taught, and debated unfettered. He was already arrested and awaiting his appeal. What else could those who didn’t like him do to him.

It reminds me of other people in the Bible who were living through difficult situations, but they ultimately ended up accomplishing amazing things through them. Hagar comes to mind. Through Sarah’s anger and Abraham’s weakness, she was sent off with Ishmael into the desert to die. But you were actually freeing her from her slavery and setting her and her son up for a brand new life. In the moment, I’m sure it looked like she was losing, but you were orchestrating it for something better.

Jesus’s death is another example. To everyone in the moment, Jesus’s death looked like losing. But it was part of something so much bigger—the grace you would offer to all of humanity.

Going back to Abraham, I have no respect for him given the way this story portrays his interactions with Sarah and Hagar. He could have done a lot of things, and to me he chose the weakest path. He did that a lot. With Pharaoh. With another king. Telling both of them that Sarah was his sister because he was afraid for himself. He just made so many bad decisions. But you made allowance for that in your plan. You used it. It makes me think about some of the mistakes I’ve made and how you’ve redeemed them. It makes me think of some of my pain now and how you might be working to do something wonderful through something that seems like a loss to me.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I’m doing something interesting today. I’m doing something that demonstrates my faith in you and what I think is obeying your Holy Spirit. Use this not for me but for you and your plans. For your glory. Help me to decrease so that you might increase in this world.

I pray all of this in the name of my Triune God,

Amen

 

Acts 20:17-27

But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him. When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Acts 20:17-27

Dear God, this is the New Testament reading for the Catholic church today, but it plays into what I’ve been praying lately. I’ve even referenced verse 24 a couple of times (…my life is worth nothing to me…).

So I just finished watching an episode of a very secular television show (Ted Lasso), but it is one that does its best to emulate what I would call your values of loving others and forgiveness. It recognizes that that is the right thing to do and it knows that there is healing. At one point tonight, one character told another character about the power of forgiveness. And it’s not really for the other person. Its for the forgiver maybe even more than the forgiven.

I was telling my wife earlier tonight that I still have some forgiveness issues that I’m not totally sure how to address. I’ve worked on it with you. I’ve tried to do the right things. But I have to say that I’m not sure what it looks like beyond this point.

I think this fits because, on a much smaller level than what Paul was dealing with here, a lack of forgiveness is NOT considering my life worth nothing to me. When I hold on, well, then I’m holding on to me. I’m putting myself ahead of who you need me to be–for my own sake!

Father, I consider my life worth nothing to me. If only I may finish the race and complete the task you have given to me. The task of testifying to the gospel of your grace. Father, help me. Jesus, help me. Holy Spirit, help me.

I pray all of this in your Holy Name,

Amen

 

Galatians 5:13

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13

Dear God, I’m sorry. I know I’m not there yet. I know I sin. I know I’m selfish. I know I’m unkind and unloving. I mean, I try not to be and some of the time I’m who I strive to be in you, but there are times when selfishness takes over. I’m sorry.

The very next verse here talks about loving my neighbor as myself summing up all of the law. And it’s a law that we cannot legislate. It’s a law of our heart. It’s a law that will take us places that we can never will ourselves to go as a society. I wonder if that’s why we are so limited when we try to spread your love and get people to be your followers from the top down. Because a person has to internalize and purpose in their heart to submit to you first, and there’s no way to force that.

Father, once again, I am sorry. As I sit here and run through the things I’m sorry for in my head, and you know my thoughts, I am ant to thank you for giving me the freedom Paul mentions here. But I am sorry I’ve taken advantage of it for my own selfishness.

I pray all of this in the name and grace of Jesus,

Amen

 

Hebrews 6:7-12

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Hebrews 6:7-12

Dear God, as I read this passage this morning I started to get the thought that loving others might be close to as important, out of all the things I do, as loving you. Then i immediately thought of Jesus’s two great commandments: love you and love others. And he didn’t have to throw in “love others.” He was only asked what the greatest commandment was. But he is the one who added, “…and the second is like it…” (Matthew 22:26-30)

So if I do all of the right things in terms of worshipping you. If I can pontificate on my theology and wax eloquently about my understanding of your nature. If I only spend my time learning about you, studying you, and burying my head in the Bible and commentaries and have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13–my paraphrase)

Father, keep other in the forefront of my mind today. Worshipping you and loving others is not an intellectual exercise. It is whole-life worship and love. So as I interact with family members today, let it be all about loving them. As I write letters to donors, help me to put loving them first in my heart. As I talk to board members and staff, help me to put loving them into my heart. As I spend time with my wife, help me to put loving her first in my heart. And help me to worship you with what I have today because you are my God and worthy of my worship.

I pray all of this through the grace of Jesus,

Amen

 

Acts 16:22-34

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
Acts 16:22-34

Dear God, mob mentality is an interesting thing. Reading this just now reminded me about one of the many powerful scenes in the movie version of To Kill A Mockingbird. In it, there is a mob ready to lynch the prisoner in jail and only his lawyer is standing in their way. Then the lawyer’s children come and his daughter Scout starts talking to one of the men in the mob whom she knows. I just pulled it up on YouTube and it still brings tears to my eyes.

I know people lose their heads and mobs like this happen often. Maybe even more so now that we have social media. I guess you could look back on January 6, 2021, and all of the people who now regret going into the capitol building. They got caught up into an emotional state because they felt threatened, afraid, or cheated through injustice. Whatever the reason, the things that mobs respond to are never exhibited through the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self control).

So the passage right after this one tells us that, the day after Paul and Silas had been flogged and jailed, the city officials sent word to let them go. Had they come to their senses? Did this ponder it all night, discuss it apart from the mob and decide they needed to rectify their mistake? I don’t know. But I know they seemed to change course when cooler heads prevailed.

All of this is a reminder to me. It’s a reminder to pause before acting when my emotions are high. It’s a reminder to be very careful before I join in with an angry crowd. This can include my coworkers when they get upset and emotional about something. It can be good to take a beat in those situations and let the emotion calm down.

Father, help me to be wise. Help me to not be in a hurry when I feel threatened, afraid, or cheated. Help me to respond, even in the worst of times, with love, joy, peace, etc.) Thank you for this day. Thank you for meeting me in it. I needed a good productive day, and you gave it to me. You blessed me in so many ways I can see, not to mention the ones I cannot see. Continue to use me as my wife and I go to have dinner with a friend tonight. Make us a blessing to her and her family. Let your kingdom come and you will be done on earth through our lives.

I pray all of this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 

John 15:26-16:4

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.”
John 15:26-16:4

Dear God, here is the phrase of this that caught my attention this morning when I read it: “…and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.” We are such fools. I would love to say that this doesn’t still happen, but of course it does. And it’s often those who are most convinced they are doing it in your name who can be the most dogmatic and problematic. The most dangerous.

But instead of sitting here and pointing fingers at others right now, maybe I should examine my heart and figure out how I might be one who thinks I am doing a holy service for you when, in actuality, I am advancing my own agenda out of what I think is my own “wisdom.” I’ll tell you where I tend to judge people is when I think they aren’t doing enough. When I think they are too selfish and not sacrificial enough. As if I know enough about them to make that evaluation or judgment.

Father, make me a refuge for the unjustly persecuted, a resource for those who unjustly persecute others so that they might know you, and, most importantly, a follower of you who is more interested in loving others than finding fault in them. Sweet, Jesus. I need you. I need your forgiveness for my sin. I need your patience for my foolishness. I need your teaching for my ignorance. I need your love for my insecurity. I need your perspective for my self-pity. I need your correction for my mistakes. I need your comfort for my pain. Thank you for offering me all of this through your Holy Spirit.

I pray all of this in the name of the one, only Triune God,

Amen