January

 January 1, 2025

SEASONS

John 7:33 NASB2020

Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me.

Jesus was sent in the flesh for a season. He came to die for the sins of the world, show the world who the Father is by His example, and form the pillars of the Church by teaching and building up the Apostles. Even when He told them about His coming death, it still didn't register. In their minds, He would always walk beside them, teaching them. Who are the people that God has sent into our lives? What are the purpose or purposes of those relationships? How long will our season be with those people? Some seasons last a long time. Some are very short. It's so easy to miss the things God is trying to teach us through each other. Life is so fast. Time waits for no one.

Prayer: Father, show us the people we are supposed to walk with, the people we're supposed to just cross paths with, and the person we're supposed to share our life with. Thank You for the gift of relationships, especially ours with You. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

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January 2, 2025

A NEW CREATION

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

There are times when we struggle to grasp this truth. It is, however, a matter of fact. We are new creations. After we have been with Christ for a while, it can be easy to get to a place when we see our old bad habits start to resurface. We get frantic, hoping that deliverance or prayer or scripture reading will shock us back into the place that we were when our salvation was fresh. Do not fear, you are a new creation.

We can settle down and rest in the kindness of this truth. The old things have been done away with. God sees that we are struggling to get back into the simplicity of what we used to hold so dearly and He will get us back there in an instant. We only have to receive it. 

PRAYER

God,

We want to exist just how You intend for us to exist, in our new nature. We want to be full of life, full of purity, and full of joy. Help us to recount the ways that You have changed us and strip us of our fear of failure. You are the only One that names us, the only One who makes us new. Thank You for making us new every day. 

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January 3, 2025

NO ONE DESERVES IT

John 7:19-20 NASB2020

[19] “Did Moses not give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why are you seeking to kill Me?” [20] The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill You?”

Jesus saw into the window of their souls and saw murder. He didn't point out how they were breaking the law to condemn them. He was trying to get them to stop focusing on the sin of others so they could see their own. If we can't see how wretched we are, we'll never realize our need for forgiveness, and we'll never be able to forgive others. In Christ, we are made completely righteous, always able to jump into the arms of our Father, but our own righteousness is not, was not, and never will be what allows us to be in His presence. It's only because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for the sins we are, did, and will commit. If we're undeserving of the forgiveness God has offered us, we should be willing to help others receive it, too, no matter what they are, did, and will do.

Prayer: Father, let us never think we deserve Your mercy and forgiveness any more than the worst sinner. Help us see how wretched we truly are so we can be grateful, humble, and have the ability to extend mercy and forgiveness to all people. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

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January 4, 2025

ALL MY TEARS

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

“and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

There is a song released by Julie Miller in the 1990’s called “All My Tears.” The first verse says, “When I go don’t cry for me, in my Father’s arms I’ll be. The wounds this world left on my soul will all be healed, and I’ll be whole.” In this fallen world, we will all experience suffering. We will all feel the sting of Satan and endure many hardships. Thank God that eternity will be the place of eternal rest and peace. 

As we face the troubles that await us this year, we can hold onto the sweetness that one day, our Father will wipe away all of our tears. Even in the here and now, if we let Him, He will wipe these tears away too. Some of us experienced great losses in 2024. Some of us shed more tears than we ever have before. Grief is a kind of gift, a reminder that there are precious things worth missing and fighting to keep. It is also a reminder that some things, even when we don’t feel like it at the time, are worth letting go of. 

PRAYER

God,

Teach us how to grieve well and remind us that You are the One who wipes every tear away. We have wounds on our soul. Some of them will be healed here on earth and others in eternity. Teach us how to let go of the things that harm us and hold onto the things that heal us. Thank you that we get to have a whole eternity where there will be no suffering or loss because we will finally be in Your complete presence. 

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January 5, 2025

FOR OUR GOOD

John 6:63 NASB2020

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

There are things in this world that feed our flesh, and there are things that feed our spirit. Do we go about our lives recklessly and unaware of the things we're partaking in, or do we live carefully and watchfully? When we're picking out fruit at the grocery store, we don't grab the ones on top. We move them around to find the best fruit. The food we eat is not nearly as important as what we allow to enter our eyes and ears, becoming food for our minds. Our mind will side with our spirit or our flesh. The things we feed our mind will determine which one it sides with. Jesus also says, "For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?"

Prayer: Father, without You, we're left with only our flesh, chasing things that will never last. Without You, we'll only have a desire for those things. We need Your Spirit so we have the ability to desire eternal things. Without You seeking us out, we'll never seek You. Thank You for chasing us down and seeking us out. The things You have allowed to happen in our lives to prepare us to receive You are sometimes painful, but we know it's for our good. You know exactly what we need. We can't see Your great plan, but we know we can trust it. Thank You for always doing what's best for us. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

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January 6, 2025

HEARING GOD

Numbers 7:89 (NASB)

“Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.”

Do you have a hard time hearing God? Perhaps the reason is because you haven’t found the tent of meeting. For some, this could be a physical space, a space dedicated to listening to God like a prayer room or closet. For others, this could be a head space, a mindset in which you clear out every distraction that the enemy has encircled you with. No matter if it is a physical space or a head space, going to the tent is vital. So often, we expect God to just show up and follow us around, inserting Himself into our lives and yelling at us when we plug our ears. God is not often like that. Most often He speaks with a still, small voice. One that takes a listening ear. 

Gary Thomas describes many places to hear God in his book “Sacred Pathways”. He says, “When you need to hear from God, when you need to be strengthened by God, when you need to receive your marching orders from God, where do you go? For some of you it may be a garden or perhaps in a local forest. Others may prefer a sanctuary. Still others may find prayer solace with musical instruments in your hands. But do you have a place, or a moment, where you best meet with God in those times when you most need Him? Where is your Gethsemane?” 

This year, as we start fresh, let’s find our tent of meeting, our Gethsemane. Let’s go to that place, not expect that God will just poke at us throughout our day like an annoying older brother who is trying to get a response. Let’s hear Him more clearly and wait in the space He has predestined for us with open ears and a patient heart. You will probably be amazed at what He has to say.

PRAYER

God who speaks,

We know that You love to talk to us. We know that there is a special place in which You want to meet. Help us to see that place and visit it as often as we can. We want to be close to You, closer than ever before. Help us to be patient as we wait for You to speak and silence the enemy when he tries to imitate Your voice. We pray for prudence and wisdom. We love You. 

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January 7, 2025

THE INVITATION

John 6:44 NASB2020

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

At some point in our lives, the Spirit of God will invite us to have a personal relationship with Him. When this happens, we'll know that God is real, and the love story of Jesus will become a reality, not just a story we've heard growing up. He'll gently whisper to our spirit, "Let Me give you life. Let Me give you love, joy, and peace. Let Me forgive you. Let Me protect you. Please let Me love you. I'm your Father." When we say yes to our Father, His Spirit rushes in, joins with our spirit, makes it alive, and we can begin our relationship with the One who created us. New relationships are exciting, especially this one, but all relationships require cultivating. To cultivate relationships, we must be willing to invest our time and change our plans. Are we spending time with our Father? Are we willing to change our plans? He wants to walk and talk with us all day long. He wants to come to us in our dreams. And His plan is so much better than what we've planned for ourselves.

Prayer: Father, thank You for inviting us into a personal relationship with You. Show us the beauty of intimacy with You. Show us the joy of Your plan for our lives. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

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January 8, 2025

CUT IT OFF

Matthew 8:18 (NASB)

“And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.”

God is not talking about self-mutilation in this scripture, He is talking about sins that we commit willingly and actively. God tells us repeatedly in the Word to turn from sin, to cast off our imaginations, to flee from the things that bring us temptation. He does this because He knows better than we ever can what kind of harm unrepentant sin brings to our lives. We get pretty good at making excuses, our hands and feet are fairly valuable. But God says that it is better that we are crippled, walking with a limp (experiencing sorrow and longing) or using one hand (having to rely on God to do what we cannot do alone) than it is to have all of our limbs and walk gingerly toward destruction. 

There are limbs that seem to keep growing back. We think,”Well darn, I thought I cut that stinking hand off years ago.” And we have to cut it off again and again until we see that the price to have it is not really worth the cost. Someday we will get sick of the sting that comes when we have to chop it off again and we won’t let it grow back.

PRAYER

God,

Take all of our limbs if that means that we get to come to You with peace and purity. We ache for a life that is full of rest and surety. Help us to cast away the hands and feet of the habits, patterns, and indulgences that our flesh craves. We don’t like that it’s our tendency to let the limbs grow back so help us to know in our heart of hearts that You have given us the strength to keep them off of us for good. For those that need it, offer anesthesia as they take the knife to the things that harm them. And for the ones that need to feel the pain of the amputation in order to make the lesson stick, help them to feel the full measure of it. We want what You want, fullness of joy. Thank You for giving us the strength to have it. 

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January 9, 2025

X-RAY VISION

John 7:24 NASB2020

“Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Righteous judgment is not about agreeing with the crowd or our own flesh. Most of the time, people judge a situation or person while they’re offended. Righteous judgment is wisdom, knowledge, and understanding wrapped together in love. Righteous judgment works its way past everyone’s fleshly opinions, around the rules and regulations, and into the hearts of people. It identifies what’s right and best for everyone. Righteous judgment is the revelation of God’s will and carrying it out regardless of what people think, say, or do. Do we even ask our Father what He would say or do if He were in our situation? If we ask Him with a willingness to carry out His will, He might tell us.

Prayer: Father, help us to do and say what You would in each and every situation in our lives. Always reveal to us what’s right and give us the courage to stand up for it. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.

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January 10, 2025

NOTHING BUT DUST

PSALM 103:1-14

“Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; Who pardons all your guilt, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with favor and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.The Lord performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. He will not always contend with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our wrongdoings from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our form; He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.”

PRAYER

I AM,

You are the Beginning and the End. You are all mighty, all knowing, all seeing. You are mercy, light, truth, and peace. You bring our bodies, souls, and spirits into Your presence by the work of the Holy Spirit. We surrender to You and adore You. We cannot even comprehend You. You are more vast than the expanse of space, and more intimate than the whisper of a loved one. You have bought us with the highest price and made us Your bride. You slaughter our enemies and have us dine in their presence. You have delivered us from evil. You are the Way Maker. You hold us close, shielding us as we journey through this life here on earth. You have set us on the firm foundation of truth and salvation. You have equipped us to stand firm in the face of darkness. All creatures know Your name and bow to You, King of kings and Lord of lords. We exalt You and praise You. 

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January 11, 2025

THE GREAT FEAST

John 6:41-42 NASB2020

[41] So then the Jews were complaining about Him because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” [42] And they were saying, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”

Sometimes, we allow the things people say and think about us to affect the way we feel about ourselves. They viewed the Son of God as just a carpenter. He was still a carpenter and the best one in the world, but He was so much more than that, as are we. One of the things I love about God’s word is that it’s a love letter to us from our Father. He reminds us over and over how much He loves us and who we really are. I hear the enemy’s lies all the time when he says, “Look at how much time you’ve wasted. Twenty years of drugs, prisons, and rehabs. Look at those people. Do you see how successful they are? You’ll never get there. You’ve wasted too much time. Do you see that woman over there? She would never be with someone who’s not further along in life than you are.” Why do we believe someone who hates us? Why not believe in someone who believes in us so much that He gave everything for us? There are thousands of truths about who we really are in our Father’s love letter to us. All we have to do is believe and walk them out. Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He opens doors that no man can shut.

Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding us of who we are and what You can do through us. It’s really not even about us. It’s about being available for You to work through us to reach those who don’t know You. Thank You for washing us clean, placing Your robe of righteousness on us, and sitting us at Your table. Thank You for the great feast of truth You’ve placed before us. We love You. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.

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January 12, 2025

THE GATE TO THE GARDEN

Genesis 3:22-24 (NIV)

“And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

I imagined the gateway to the garden yesterday and wondered about the grief Adam and Eve must have had as they left. I wonder what sort of fear they faced. I wonder if they knew that there would be danger where there wasn't any before. 

It reminds me of being a little girl, convinced that I would go off into the woods and survive in the makeshift home I had put together in the giant cedar trees that perched above our gully. I would gather my things in a fit of rebellion and trudge into the forest, convinced that I was going to make it on my own. 

Sure enough, as soon as the sun set and the darkness came, fear would fall on me and I would race across my pasture and into the house, desperate to be in my home. My parents' voices would calm me, my bed would embrace me, and the dangers that hid in the darkness could no longer get to me. 

It's such a small comparison but the Lord helps the lesson to stick. In the same moment the Lord is sure to remind me of another story. The prodigal son. Glory. He reminds me of the incredible affection that the Father has, not caring for a single moment about the squandered inheritance or folly. He only wants to kiss his son, give him back his birthright, and feast. He only wants his son back, he only wants his son to stay.

PRAYER

My God, Abba,

Thank You for the fatted calf. Thank You for the ring and the sandals. Thank You for kissing us. You have our hearts and we are home. Thank You that through Your Son, the gate to the garden isn’t shut. Even more, thank You for being the tree of life to me, allowing me to eat in full satisfaction. Thank You for not stopping when Adam and Eve sinned. You came on a rescue mission to bring us back into perfect union with You. We love You. 

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January 13, 2025

BREAKFAST IN BED

John 6:30-35 NASB2020

[30] So they said to Him, “What then are You doing as a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work are You performing? [31] Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’ ” [32] Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” [34] Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” [35] Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.

In the wilderness, God's people had no choice but to rely on the Lord to provide for them. In a dry and thirsty land, He led them, protected them, fed them, and even caused water to flow from a rock so He could give them something to drink. The way He fed them with the manna was beautiful. Each morning, He would cause it to be like the dew on the ground. As soon as they woke up in the morning, there it would be. Like frost on a winter morning clothing the ground. He's still doing the same thing for us. Each morning, wherever we are—on the mountain top, in the valley, in the garden, or in the wilderness—Jesus Christ, The Bread of Life, has prepared mercies that are new and joy that gives us strength. All we have to do is open our faith eyes and gather it up. I promise, it's there, and it's more than enough.

Prayer: Father, so many times our spirit is starving, and we refuse to be fed. Each morning, You prepare breakfast so our spirit can eat. You bring us breakfast in bed as we open our eyes. Forgive us for not being grateful and shoving the plate out of the way. Each morning, You are there as we wake, offering another plate of food with love in Your eyes. You are so gentle and patient with us. Thank You for never giving up on us. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

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Month 14, 2025

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”

“Just a closer walk with Thee. ‘Grant it, Jesus,’ is my plea. Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” (Just a Closer Walk With Thee, written by Martha J. Lankton and William Kirkpatrick) 

When we walk with the Lord, He leads us to wonderful lands, lands that cannot be taken away. As He forges the way, His feet command all the territory surrounding them to obey. We can have full confidence that whatever He touches belongs to Him. Walking with God is not limited to the natural part of our lives. Walking with God includes our spiritual lives as well. After all, hasn’t He touched our hearts? Those belong to Him too. 

Notice that walking is slow, methodical, and mostly rhythmic. Patience, order, and intentionality are required in order to walk well. It’s God’s pace. When we match His pace, we see that life becomes a lot more simple and that the ground we gain, we are familiar with. 

PRAYER

God,

Help us to match Your pace. We know that we like to run ahead but in doing that, we get ourselves lost and alone. We don’t want to go where You aren’t right by our side. May we be people who are disciplined enough to keep the rhythm of Your stride. Show us what land You want to possess so that we can join us in taking authority over it. 

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January 15, 2025

A LONELY DINNER

John 6:26-27 NASB2020

[26] Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate some of the loaves and were filled. [27] Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

Why do we seek Him? Are we seeking His hands or His face? As I was seated to eat dinner, I looked toward the booth next to me. There was an old man eating by himself. The Lord immediately told me to speak to him. I brushed off the Lord's nudge and just waved. As he was getting up to leave, I finally listened to the Lord and asked the man how he was doing. He said, "I just want someone to talk to." I invited him to sit and visit with me. He told me how his wife died two years ago and that his house had just burned down. I asked him about his family. He told me that he has kids that live in town, but ever since he stopped giving them money, they stopped coming to see him. He said he had to pay them money so they would bring his grandchildren to see him. It was so sad to see how hurt and lonely he was. He told me story after story, reminding me of the stories my grandfather told me about his childhood. As I listened to him, I regretted not spending more time with my grandfather before it was too late. I ask again, why do we seek the Lord? Is it because we know He can bless us? Do we only go to Him because we need things, or do we desire to spend time with Him? Many times, we have left our Father in a booth eating dinner by Himself, only coming by to see Him when we need something.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for the times when we have gotten busy and forgotten to spend time with You. Forgive us for the times when we used You, only seeking You because of what You can do for us. We are really no different than this man's children. We sometimes treat You the same way. Help us as we battle our selfish nature. Thank You for continuing to love us even though we haven't loved You like You deserve to be loved. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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January 16, 2025

JUST CALL OUT

Joel 2:30-32 (NIV)

"I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors who the Lord has called." 

One day, not long ago, I was thinking about the end times. Whether it's 2 years from now or 200 years from now, there will be a day when the display of God will be at full force. On this day, we will witness great things, things that we cannot comprehend, especially from our Western perspective. 

From this day until then, I want the Lord to look down on our household and say, "I have found a people who are desperate for Me. I have found a family that wants to participate in the fullness of My glory and usher in the display of My wonders." 

In all reality, there are days when I think, "I hope the Lord isn't looking today. I'm in no condition to represent the King." Then I remember, He sees me through the lens of grace. It's been placed over me by the blood of His Son. 

None of us will ever arrive at a place where we're worthy of the full expression of God’s wonders, not without the atonement of Christ. None of us walks the straight and narrow path. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. But here in Joel, we see, "whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered." 

Will you join me in this? This isn't just for the lost and unbelieving. This is for us Christians, too. Each day, we must call on Him. Each day, we must be delivered from our wandering. Each day, we must run to the fortress of grace, fortifying our hearts in the presence of God.

PRAYER

The One who is coming,

We are so excited to see what You have in store for us. We cannot begin to imagine the magnificence of Your power. We call on You now so that we get to participate in the works that You have already planned out for us to experience. We pray that when You look down on us, You see a willing people; people who want to walk with You as You make Your move. Thank You for giving us something to look forward to and giving us a way to get there. We love You!

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January 17, 2025

THE BOAT CAPTAIN

John 6:19-21 NASB2020

[19] Then, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat; and they were frightened. [20] But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” [21] So they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

25 or 30 stadia is about 3 or 4 miles, which was the distance they were from the shore. Scripture tells us that as soon as Jesus got into the boat, they were immediately at the land they were heading for. They didn't have to row and toil to get there. Jesus willed it to happen, and it was so. Are we in the middle of a sea with the waves of life crashing down around us? The waves might be so high that we can't see the shore. Do we know what direction to start rowing toward? All we have to do is let Jesus in the boat. He's standing on the sea, wanting to show us the way, pleading for us to trust Him. He is the one who can speak something over our lives, and immediately, it will be as He spoke.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for taking off in the boat without You. Sometimes, we find ourselves in the middle of a sea, in the middle of a storm, and we don't even have a paddle to row out of the trouble. Thank You for heading out into the storms to rescue us. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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January 18, 2025

KNOCK AWAY

Luke 11:5-13

And He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine has come to me from a journey and I have nothing to serve him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his shamelessness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. Now which one of you fathers will his son ask for a fish, and instead of a fish, he will give him a snake? Or he will even ask for an egg, and his father will give him a scorpion? So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

As I opened my Bible today, my pen was still marked at Luke chapter 11 after our sermon yesterday. The message was about an attitude adjustment, teaching us to give thanks in all things. As I read, the Lord brought me to another section of the text. 

The word "persistence" jumped out at me like a beacon. I knew that God had something else for me to harvest from the text. Luke 11 starts off with Jesus teaching His disciples to pray, and then He transitions into a story about a man who needs bread from his neighbor. At first, the neighbor refuses. After all, it's the middle of the night. But the man keeps knocking, relentless in his request. The neighbor finally gives him all he needs. 

Jesus follows up this story saying, "ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened." I caught myself tearing up. There are times when it feels like no matter how relentlessly I've asked, seeked, and knocked, there is no supply, and the door just won't open. 

Today, God was good to remind me to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. He promises that I will receive, find, and enter in. I have come to know that God wants to give us all the deepest desires of our hearts. He wants us to come into the fullness of His presence and experience wonderful things. 

Brothers and sisters, keep asking with me, keep seeking with me, keep knocking with me. The Lord will answer, He will provide, He will reveal.

PRAYER

God,

You give us so many good things! We are so thankful that we get to ask, seek, and knock! Help us to be persistent and not give up. We are so fickle sometimes and are ready to throw in the towel but then You send us scriptures like this and we know that the endurance will be worth it. Thank You for speaking to us in such simple terms so that we can wrap our heads around the truth of what You have for us to learn. 

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January 19, 2025

MOUNTAIN TOPS AND VALLEYS

John 6:3 NASB2020

But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.

Who are we sitting with? Are we sitting with them on a mountaintop or in a valley? Every day, we're learning from people, and people are learning from us.

Proverbs 13:20 says, "One who walks with wise people will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm."

We must walk with those who can help us grow, sit with those who are willing to be taught, and show the foolish love when we cross paths with them, remembering that we were once foolish, and sometimes we still are.

Prayer: Father, help us be mindful of what we are teaching others and what we are allowing others to teach us. As we go about our day, let us never just pass people by. Help us to pay attention and recognize those who desperately need Your love. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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January 20, 2025

WAKE UP OH SLEEPER

Ephesians 5:8-17 (NIV)

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Test and prove what pleases the Lord. Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. So it is said:

“Wake up, O sleeper,

rise up from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” 

As we walk toward the light of truth, something glorious happens, the darkness fades and our genuine self becomes exposed. As children of God, this brings hope! Our genuine self is blanketed in righteousness and covered by the blood of the Lamb. No longer we are named by the deeds of our flesh. No longer are we bound to the darkness. We don't look to the things behind but press forward toward our eternal hope. God is so good to illuminate the Way. We don't have to fumble around, trying to figure out what is “right.” We get to move boldly into what brings life, knowing that the light of the Word will light up our path. This isn't always easy but it is always worth it. God calls us into places of glory, never forsaking us along the way. 

PRAYER

Lord, 

Thank You Lord for this quiet moment to get away with You. Thank you for the stillness of the day. Thank You for stubbornness and grit. Thank You for joy everlasting. You are the Author of all things and there is nothing we can do to thwart Your plans. I die to myself today. I surrender the half obedience and I take hold of the full obedience. I pray that You would give me strength and courage to continue to step back into the lane You carved for me. I pray that I won't get my toes wet by the salty tide of rebellion as the seafoam of temptation billows up toward me. Help me to step back and look away, turning towards the comfort of the shore and the shelter of the tree line. Thank You for the bedrock of hope and the sweet peace. 

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January 21, 2025

FAITH KILLER

John 5:44 NASB2020

How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?

The Word says that faith works through love. Jesus also teaches us that without humility, our faith doesn’t work either. Seeking our own glory is pride, and pride is the Kryptonite to our faith. We take our next breath because He allows it. We woke up this morning because He allowed it. Every step we take, every possession we have—homes, vehicles, jobs, clothes, and food—is because He allows it. We live in a free country because He allows it. We have family and friends because He allows it. Every door that opens for us is because He allows it. We do nothing on our own. If we have a relationship with the Lord, it’s only because He sought us out. We would have never sought Him out on our own. In all of us, there’s a part that is wicked and evil. Paul says, “For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.” Isaiah says, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.” The point is this: we must give the Lord all the glory, not only because He deserves it, but because without Him, nothing would be possible.

Prayer: Father, help us to understand that our faith works through love and humility. Teach us to seek Your glory and not our own. Forgive us for the times we have allowed pride and other sins to weaken our faith. Help us to walk in love and humility, so our faith remains strong and active. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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January 22, 2025

SEALED

 Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (NIV)

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”

We cannot escape our God's jealous love. He has sealed us by the blood covenant of His Son, Jesus Christ. By His grace and mercy our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life and we cannot undo the pen strokes. What a blessed assurance that the unconditional love of God brings us into the wonders of the wedding feast and the eternity of oneness with Him. He knows that we will wander, still He chose us. He knows that we will look for other lovers, still He calls us home. He is gentle with us and harsh with the enemies that seduce us, clamoring through the traps that they set. Can we receive the adoration of our God? Can we be captivated by the intensity of His pursuit?

PRAYER

Lord, 

You have marked us for redemption. You have sealed us, your bride, with your royal crest of righteousness. You chase us with your insatiable pursuit. You have seen us through the ages and chose us to be your beloved forever. You cry out for us and seek us in the wilderness. You traverse the mountains of our stubbornness, You cut through the brambles of our selfishness. You count out the ways You seek to lavish Your love on us. You play out the reunion and plan the wedding feast. You know the desires of our palates and plan on satisfying every taste bud. Yet, we have a hard time surrendering to the chase, believing that there's something in the wild that would quench our desires. We plant seeds of thorn bearing plants and then cry when they prick us. If only we had the wisdom and will to stand still. You would find us quickly and bring us into retreat. You have the perfect sanctuary waiting. Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You that even though we try to find delight in the thorn bushes, You gather us up and reveal the true nature of our shortcomings. Help us to see beyond the scrapes our fleshly desires and into the chambers of Your covenant love. We love You. 

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January 23, 2025

THE PERFECT HUSBAND

John 5:39-40 NASB2020

[39] You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; [40] and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, but let’s apply this truth to our own lives. We can attend every church service, study Scripture our entire lives, and strive to obey it, but if we never come to Him, we’ll never have eternal life. There comes a time in each of our lives when He calls us to Him. He gently whispers, “Come to Me, know Me, and be with Me. Let me love you, and I’ll show you how to love Me back.” He invites us into a deep, intimate relationship where there are no secrets and trust is experienced on a level we’ve never known. We have a Father who wants to wash us clean and make us fit for a King. After we come to Him and allow Him to cleanse us, we become His spotless bride. Even though we still struggle with our flesh and will continue to struggle until we leave this earth, to Him, we are perfect. He calls us to Him, knowing every struggle we will ever face. He is still willing to marry us even though He knows we’ll fall short many times. Coming to Him is like entering into a marriage with Him. Many people hesitate because they feel unworthy, but we will always be unworthy of a Husband like Him. It is the Blood of Jesus Christ that makes us worthy. Once He touches us with one drop of His precious blood, we are cleansed from our past, present, and future sins. Then, and only then, are we fit for the King of Kings. Coming to Him simply means being willing to receive His love. He will teach us how to do the rest.

Prayer: Father, as You invite us into a marriage with You, help us to simply accept Your love. For some of us, it doesn’t make sense why You would want a bride like us. Some of us don’t cook or clean, and every one of us will cheat on You many times. We are flawed and stained by sin. It doesn’t make sense why You would want us, but the truth is, we come from You. You created us. You’re just calling us back home. Thank You for loving us even when we don’t love ourselves. Thank You for reminding us where we come from. Thank You for calling us home. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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January 24, 2025

ALWAYS CARED FOR

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” 

Matthew 6:24-26 (NIV)

There are herds of cattle all around me, each one branded or tagged. Each one is identified with a mark signifying that it belongs to a master and is therefore under the care and the protection of an invested farmer. Every life is celebrated, each one is counted, each one is valuable. They are possessed by a single owner. I can't help but notice the few cows that poke their heads across the barbed wire, licking at the sparse blades of grass that their lips can't reach. Behind them is a vast expanse of lush pasture but they see what's just beyond reach and are willing to cut themselves to get it. 

Isn't that just like us? We want the grass of another master's land. We place our necks on the sharp metal pieces and strain at the less than satisfying snack that barely evades us. We begin to hate the fence. We hate it because it pokes us, we hate it because it restricts us, we hate it because it makes the folly of our pursuit obvious. 

We cannot be in two master's pastures. The one who’s branded us and marked us draws us in with bountiful provision. He brings us into safety and supply. If we remain in the land he has provided then we will never lack but if we serve the master of the world, breaking the barbed wire and cutting ourselves in the process, we will despise the sparsity and constantly crave the former pastures of our rightful owner. There was a price he paid to gain us and a price he still pays to preserve us. The owner of the other pasture has no investment in our life. He cares not for our needs. 

PRAYER

Master,

We thank You that You have invested every resource to keep us safe and satisfied. Thank You that as we remain in the land of the living, we will never lack. We pray that we would get our necks off the prodding wire, acknowledging the ridiculousness of our vain pursuits. Help us to look to the horizons available to us instead of focusing on the fence. We know that there is more available to us than we could ever consume in a lifetime. Thank You for marking us and setting us aside as a chosen people. We are identified by the brand of Your Son, Jesus Christ. 

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January 25, 2025

PRIESTS OF GOD

John 5:36 NASB2020

But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

The Father sent the Son to accomplish works that proved He was from the Father. Each day, Jesus sends us out to accomplish works that prove we are from Him. To fulfill the tasks He gives us, we must first know our identity. Jesus Christ is the High Priest, and we are His priests. One of the duties of a priest in biblical days was to speak blessings over the people. Let's reflect on this passage:

Numbers 6:22-26

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘In this way, you shall bless the sons of Israel. You are to say to them: “The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord cause His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His face to you, and give you peace.”’ This blessing was commanded by the LORD for the priests to speak over the people. They had authority from God to declare this blessing. They weren't merely speaking words; they were proclaiming God's will over the people. God's will for His people is revealed in this blessing. The Lord wants us to experience His presence, His kindness, and His peace. He wants us to claim these blessings and to proclaim them over others as well.

Proclamation: As priests of God, under our High Priest Jesus Christ, we speak blessings over our family and friends. “In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord cause His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His face to you, and give you peace.”

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January 26, 2025

CONFESSION LEADS TO FREEDOM

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)

The most precious release is the one of confession. When we have lived in darkness or struggle and the haunting turmoil surrounds us we must grasp after the freedom of truth telling. Confession isn’t a cascade of apologies, rolling off our tongues in shame coated words. True confession is just telling the truth of what is and walking into the light that reveals to us our true nature, the nature of righteousness. We lay ourselves out to be known and the release of it feels simultaneously undoing and remaking. It feels as strange as putting on a new pair of boots, slightly awkward, slightly snug, but full of new life and many more walks. The Lord speaks to us and reminds us that this is good, this is necessary. He gives us the words and they spill out. We fumble out the confessions of unbelief, pride, selfishness, and more. The secrets explode and the ugliness that wrapped them up is destroyed. 

As Christians we have the privilege of hearing each other with gracious ears and speaking to each other with soft words. The sanctity of the trust is not taken lightly. When we confess the scales fall off and we see glory again. We can rest assured in the peace that comes with it. We can find our footing once again and settle into the balance of it. We begin to discover that our God has a better and more lasting plan than the one that we had hidden in darkness. Through confession we can look to the future and smile at it. We can sit down and meditate on the hope that is sure to come. We can surrender to the King of our hearts and bow as He extends the scepter of grace and the embrace of forgiveness. We receive both in full measure. In dignity we can embrace levity.

PRAYER

God of truth,

We come before You and ask that You would strip away the shame of secrecy. We pray that You would reveal to us the healers, the listeners, and the instruments of grace. We thank You that even though you know all things, there is still a sweetness in the truth telling of confession. We ask that You would give us the courage to be known, completely absorbing the gift of fellowship. We know that our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west and we understand that in order to truly understand that, You give us opportunities to experience it through confession and release. 

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January 27, 2025

WHEN I GROW UP

John 5:19-20 (NASB2020)

“Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.’”

Father: "Come on, son, let's go fishing."

Son: "Where are we going, Dad?"

Father: "Oh, I have a few places in mind."

Son: "Do you think the fish will be biting?"

Father: "You can bet on it, son."

As they loaded up the truck, the son watched his dad intently. He noticed everything—from the clothes his dad wore to the number of fishing poles he packed, and even the chewing tobacco in his mouth. The son was absorbing it all, eager to learn and be just like his dad when he grew up. This is the mindset our Heavenly Father desires for us. He wants to teach us all things. Our Father is calling to us this morning, "Son, come on. Let's go fishing."

Prayer: Father, help us to experience the beauty that comes from spending time with You. You always have time for us, but we often get distracted and busy, forgetting You're there. Teach us how to walk and talk with You all day long. Teach us how to be just like You. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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January 28, 2025

DEVOTION

1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV)

“I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

I imagine Olivia Newton John waltzing across the screen, her big, doting eyes desperately looking off into the distance. “Hopelessly devoted to you,” she sings about her heartthrob, John Travolta. I know it’s a silly reference to use, and I do not recommend you see the movie, but it’s a depiction of a woman in love, hopelessly, undividely devoted. 

How often are we that way with the Lord? From the depths of our hearts, do we cry out? Do we give Him our undivided devotion? Are we willing to lay aside all things and people to be in His presence? If we can get there, even if it’s only for brief seasons at first, we will learn what it looks like to truly be in love with God. As we mature, those seasons will get longer and our love will grow stronger. We will be undivided in our devotion to God. 

PRAYER

God,

If we can comprehend earthly devotion, I know that we can comprehend heavenly devotion. Your devotion for us is unmatched. We pray that we can experience more of what it looks like to be in love with You, devoted in all ways. Thank You for giving us guidelines for what it looks like to love You. We can love You because You first loved us. 

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January 29, 2025

SEEING CLEARLY

Proverbs 14:29 (NASB2020) "One who is slow to anger has great understanding; but one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness."

Anger rises within us when we become offended. We become offended because we judge, and we judge because we are not looking at situations through God's eyes. When we walk in the flesh, we only see someone's behavior, never understanding the underlying causes. The behavior is merely the fruit of a deeper root problem. Condemning someone's behavior without understanding the root is misguided. The fruit people bear should help us identify the spirits that hold them in bondage. Our role is to set the captives free, not to condemn them.

Prayer: Father, help us to see things through Your eyes. Without understanding, we continue to get offended and judge. Always remind us that without Your undeserved Grace and Mercy, we are just as wretched as the one we think is the worst. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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January 30, 2025

CAUSE AND EFFECT

Galatians 6:7-8 (NASB)

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

There is a consequence to every choice we make. At times this brings me hope and other times it brings me sorrow. I know the corruption in my own heart, and yet, the Lord has made me a new man, a man of the Spirit. 

My old self shows up often spreading the seeds of corruption. I pray that God takes His blood and sprinkles it over them, redeeming every seed and bringing life where I sowed death. He is faithful. 

Often, I don't give enough attention to my new self, the one who sows seeds of life. But give it attention, I must. The new self is the one that sows crops worth harvesting. 

PRAYER

Oh Lord of my heart, 

Spread the seeds of life and delight in the compost of my heaviness. I know there is kindness in Your garden. The flowers of redemption grow in grace and forgiveness. I know You foresaw all my struggles, even the ones I've brought upon myself. I know there's a consequence to every action, and I sense the pain of the wicked things. I also sense the relief of repentance and I grab at it with all my might. Oh God. Redeem the time, redeem my heart, redeem my face and my countenance.. 

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January 31, 2025

SHOW US THE FATHER

John 3:17 (NASB2020)

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him."

If God didn't send Jesus to judge the world, why do we think it's our place to judge? The only One worthy to judge anyone for their sins is Jesus Christ. When Christ calls us into a relationship with Him, He forgives us, washes us, empowers us, and sends us out. He doesn't send us out to be judges; He sends us out to do what He did when He walked the earth, and that is to show people who the Father is. Remember the conversation Jesus had with Philip? Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” I ask this question to all of us: Are we critical of others, or do we have compassion for those in desperate need of the Father's love? Are we showing people who He is?

Prayer: Father, we never have and never will deserve Your great love. Help us to extend to others what You've freely given us, which we surely don't deserve. Work through us to show people who You are. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.