Day 7 - October 31 - Philippians 4:6-7

Your Name is GENEROUS

Right now ... I thank you

for everything in my life — especially _______.

Make a list — real or mental, long or short — of things you pray for.

 

in everything

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

 

Have you ever desired peace but felt there was a locked door between you and greater peacefulness?Well, the key to that door -- indeed, the key to peace -- is "prayer" and "thanksgiving."

 

Prayer -- which is ultimately a conversation -- draws us into relationship with God. Thanksgiving transforms that conversation ... and thereby transforms our lives.

 

Here's what you need to know about that door and that lock. The door to peace is very tall, and the door knob is very high. And we rarely unlock this gift because our wants and fear keep us focused down.

 

Indeed, the natural bent of the human heart is "I want" and "more." Our secret fear is "what if someday there's not enough?" Do you see the downward focus and the downward spiral. Focus up. In pray and thanksgiving, reach high for the latch to the door that Christ says he knocks on.

 

Indeed, if you want to develop an attitude of gratitude, start making a list. It can be real or mental, long or short, but more thorough it is -- each day -- the higher you'll reach.

 

In Christ's Love,

a spiritual midget

who stands on a stack of Bibles

to discover more peace 

Day 6 - October 30 - Romans 15:13

Your Name is FORGIVER

Right now ... I confess my sins,

because I trust you to free me.

Right now confess your sins ... then don’t let Christ die in vain. You are forgiven. Trust in this victory.

 

May the God of hope fill you with

all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

 

Look at those words ...

 

Do you have joy?

 

Peace?

 

Overflowing hope? Spirit and power?

 

One of life’s greatest barriers to joyful peace and overflowing hope is sin. And not just sin, but our inability to forgive and trust that we are forgiven. We’re held in a death-grip of guilt, shame, betrayal, and bitterness.

 

It doesn’t have to be that way. God tells us — 1 John 1:8-9 — "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just WILL forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Trust in that. Believe in that. Be set free by that.

 

And confess it just once. Repeated confession — caused by shame and guilt — paralyzes us. It causes us to believe that God is not really gracious. We keep crawling back in bondage and chains wondering if he is forgiving. Believe his word. Trust in that. Be set free by his love.

 

Think about it this way ... Jesus loved YOU enough to die to save YOU from YOUR sins. So don’t let him die in vain. Give him those sins. Nail them to the cross. Trust in that. Believe in that. Be set free by his grace.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to overflow something

other than his coffee cup today

Day 5 - October 29 - Psalm 21:3

Your Name is EXALTED

Right now ... O Lord, I lift my voice

as I sing a song of praise to you!

Let the words or melody of your favorite song of praise begin to rattle through your head today.

 

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength;

we will sing and praise your might.

Psalm 21:3

 

Have you ever hummed a tune all day and all night? It was just stuck in your head and couldn't get rid of it?

 

Confession time ... Do you know the most recent song that's been stuck like glue in my poor head? It's a silly country song called appropriately enough, "Stuck like Glue."

 

In the Psalms, the word "sing" appears 66 times. Rather than having "Stuck like Glue" stuck in my brain, what if I intentionally stuck a new song in my brain today. For example ...

 

Savior, He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save, /He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation / He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave.

 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

 

The splendor of a King / clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice / all the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light / and darkness tries to hide

it trembles at his voice / trembles at his voice

How great is our God!

 

It doesn't matter whether you're a singer or not -- because I'm not asking you to sing outloud! Rather, I'm encouraging you to try sticking a song in your head this morning. If you have a CD, play it two or three times. Online, you can find almost any song -- google your favorite. Then, until the harmony of praise becomes the melody of your day, keep intentionally humming, singing, praising.

 

God can walk closer to you today, if you just sing a little more to him.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's stuck like glue

to you know who

Day 4 - October 28 - Judges 3:9

Your Name is DELIVERER

4Mighty Lord, wherever the great battlefront is today,

I trust you to be my victory.

Identify your personal points of struggle. Now trust him to be stronger than the enemies.

 

But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord,

the Lord raised up a deliverer for the Israelites ...

Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Judges 3:9

 

Judges is one of my favorite books in the Bible to teach. I can summarize the whole book in five simple sentences:

1. When things were bad, the people cried out for help.
2. God sent them a deliverer.
3. Then things became good ... and the people forgot about God.
4. So God removed his hand of protection.
5. And then things became bad ... (go back to 1, and repeat process about forty times for forty generations).

From time to time, every one of us struggles in life. In fact, let's call it what it is: Life is an ongoing series of battlefronts.

 

So, heed the Bible's simple advice: Do steps one and two -- 1) cry out to God and 2) expect his help -- then repeat. Indeed, that's our prayer invitation for today: 1) Identify your personal points of struggle (and don't just make a mental checklist, talk to God about it!). 2) Then trust him to be stronger than your enemies.

 

(And while you're at it, just skip steps 3 and 4. So you have time to keep repeating 1 and 2.)

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's not the pizza man

(I don't deliver ... but God does)

Day 3 - October 27 - Matthew 11:28

Your Name is COMFORTER

Mighty God, wherever I am weary or carrying heavy burdens,

answer my prayers for you are my sustainer.

Give him your burdens. Let him carry your worries.

 

Jesus said, "Come to me,

all you that are weary

and are carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

 

When I hear the word "comforter," I think of autumn leaves and smoke from the chimney. This is the glorious time of the year when the temperature turns, and sloths like me have an excuse to lay on the couch and cuddle up in a blanket. Indeed, hunked down, wrapped a thick, down comforter!

 

I'm a guy. I carry my own burdens. And other forms of "comfort" are for children. Right?

 

Wrong!!!

 

Think about it this way: Women's bodies -- with child-birth and other perils -- go through so much more trauma than men's bodies ... and yet women live, on average, four years longer than us guys. How come? It's because Satan's lies are very clever. He says "Men, pick yourselves up by your own bootstraps, carry you're own burdens, and quit whining, because comfort isn't manly." 

 

Well, I think it's past time to turn that around ...

• What if we said, instead, that ... Work is manly, working hard is heroic, and weariness might just be the natural fruit of boldness.
• What if we said, instead, that ... Carrying heavy burdens is a sign of strength, and weight lifting and burden bearing are signs of brute force and backbone. 
• What if we said, instead, that ... Illness and death charge at us and our families like Trojan soldiers, and cool water and rest are the trophies of the valiant.
• What if we said, instead, that ... Letting someone carry our burdens is teamwork and commaraderie among fellow warriors.

Soldiering through life is brave and tiresome. But our Crucified Captain says, "I see how hard you're working, and I simply want to journey alongside of you -- carrying a piece of the load as a fellow warrior, giving you a cool cup of comfort when your tired and thirsty, taking his turn at the nightwatch so you can get some sleep."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who'll take

a cool cup of living water

any day

Day 2 - October 26 - 1 Samuel 17:45

Your Name is BOLD

Great Shepherd of the Journey, create in me an excitement for today.

And draw me into a God-sized adventure in these next 12 hours.

Look at today with greater expectancy than you normally do. Expect to see God show up today.

 

 

David shouted [to Goliath],

"You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin,

but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty.

1 Samuel 17:45

 

This past Sunday I said one word -- in the midst of thousands of words -- and two men rushed up to me afterward, saying, "You said exactly what I've been thinking!"

 

That one word was "adventure."

 

I know why these two men were captivated by that word. Both of them happen to be reading John Eldredge's recent classic, "Wild at Heart." In a world of drudgery and routine, "Wild at Heart" attempts to reawaken the boldness, passion, and adventure of the Christian life. 

TO MEN, John Eldredge says, "Every man was once a boy. And every little boy has dreams, big dreams: dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. But what happens to those dreams when we grow up? Most Christian men are...bored. [Let's] recover [our] masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God." (www.ransomedheart.com) 

 

TO WOMEN, Eldredge's wife Staci -- in her companion book, "Captivating" -- says, "Every little girl dreams of being romanced, being swept up into a great adventure, and being a beautiful princess. And yet, when women grow up, they exchange those dreams for a life often filled with nothing more than duty and demands. But Jesus Christ did not move heaven and earth to make you tired. He came to restore your heart as a woman and set you free through His love."

YOUR LIFE IS MORE THAN THE WORLD'S REDUCED IT TO. So embrace those wonderful, old dreams again. You are a boy facing a giant! You are a girl who is captivated and captivating! You are on a mission from God!

 

Ask the Lord of your journey to draw you into a God-sized adventure TODAY. Indeed, may he sweep you -- day by day --into a new and glorious season of meaning and purpose and significance.

 

In Christ's Love,

Sir Edward,

a Knight of the Kingdom,

reporting for duty today

October 25 - Hebrews 6:18, 19

we who have fled to him for refuge

can take new courage, for we can

hold on to his promise with confidence. 

This confidence is like a strong and

trustworthy anchor for our souls.

It leads us through the curtain of heaven

into God's inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 6:18,19

 

What is the anchor for your soul?

 

What do you ground it on? Rest it on? What holds you firmly in place when the hardest currents of life threaten to rip you out into the deep and dreadful water?

 

The author of Hebrews invited us to anchor our faith on the promises of God.

 

In fact, in this chapter, he invited a bunch of Hebrews -- not-totally-yet-convinced-Jews -- to anchor their faith on the promises of God. He was saying essentially, "You've anchored your faith on '13 God's promise to Abraham,' why not also anchor your faith on the promises of the Messiah. You've believed that '13 Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name,' why not believe his testimony about his own Son? Indeed, he testified about him by "13:20 br[inging Him] from the dead."

 

In a debate, those promises would have rung powerfully true with the Hebrews. What rings true with you?

 

We live in a world of skepticism and doubt. Busyness is perhaps our greatest obstacle to faith. I'm glad you spend four minutes many mornings reading these devotions. Who else do you know who needs four minutes of grace -- and an anchor throughout the day? Why not share these devotions with them?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's been anchored long enough

and is now ready to pull up anchor

and set sail on behalf of others

Day 1 - October 25 - Philippians 2:9-11, Ephesians 3:14

Your Name is ALMIGHTY

My Lord and Creator, as I start this day, buckle my knees

and help me start today by bowing before you!

Begin your prayers by literally getting down on your knees and bowing your heart in reverence and awe.

 

at the name of Jesus every knee should bend

Philippians 2:9-11

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

Ephesians 3:14

 

I'm stubborn.

 

The Bible talks again and again about using our bodies to pray to God. Sometimes people raise their hands in joyful praise. Sometimes they fall prostrate in humbleness and awe. More commonly their knees bend -- bowing, kneeling, praying.

 

But me? I'm stubborn. And intellectual. Technically, I know that I can pray with my mind ... so why bow?

 

Excuses, excuses. For the next 26 days, I'll be on my knees. Not because I have to, but because I want to. If I want to grow more (and believe me, these 26 days are as much for me as they are for you), then I have to submit myself to God's design rather than my pride.

 

The broader text of both of these passages reminds me of why I ought to bow. In Ephesians 3, the Apostle Paul says, "8 Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is [remember, he persecuted and killed the first Christians] I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. ... 12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.14 [And] when I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father."

 

If Paul's that humble, maybe I should be too. And if that doesn't get me no my knees, then maybe the other passage should. Paul starts with, "Let the same mind be in you as in Christ Jesus." Remember Jesus praying? If he was on his knees, why am I so proud and stubborn.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to

wear out a pair of pants

this month 

26 Day Invitation to Prayer

Dear Daily Devotional Group - Our next 26 days of devotions will be the same as -- and different than -- normal. We'll still have a verse and a reflection, but they'll be folded around one of 26 different facets of God's character and an invitation to grow in prayer in relation to this aspect of our Lord's nature ...

 

Hallowed Be Thy Name

2 6   D a y   I n v i t a t i o n   t o   P r a y e r

 

This past Sunday we learned that there are 624 seperate and distinct names for God in the scriptures. God's name is important. It's part of how we get to know him, and scripture tells us that it's a source of power and blessing. For the next 26 days -- A through Z -- you're invited to join with me in calling on God's name because using each different expression of his personality helps us know and worship him more fully.

 

There are two ways to use this prayer guide: 1) Read the whole prayer every day, stopping and meditating on anything that grabs you. 2) I will send you a "thought of the day." This simple devotion should help you focus on the gift that this particular day's reflection brings. 

 

OCT 25

Your Name is ALMIGHTY

My Lord and Creator, as I start this day, buckle my knees

and help me start today by bowing before you!

Begin your prayers by literally getting down on your knees and bowing your heart in reverence and awe.

 

OCT 26

Your Name is BOLD

Great Shepherd of the Journey, create in me an excitement for today.

And draw me into a God-sized adventure in these next 12 hours.

Look at today with greater expectancy than you normally do. Expect to see God show up today.

 

OCT 27

Your Name is COMFORTER

Mighty God, wherever I am weary or carrying heavy burdens,

answer my prayers for you are my sustainer.

Give him your burdens. Let him carry your worries.

 

OCT 28

Your Name is DELIVERER

Mighty Lord, wherever the great battlefront is today,

I trust you to be my victory.

Identify your personal points of struggle. Now trust him to be stronger than the enem9ies0.

 

OCT 29

Your Name is EXALTED

Right now ... O Lord, I lift my voice

as I sing a song of praise to you!

Let the words or melody of your favorite song of praise begin to rattle through your head today.

 

OCT 30

Your Name is FORGIVER

Right now ... I confess my sins,

because I trust you to free me.

Right now confess your sins ... then don’t let Christ die in vain. You are forgiven. Trust in this victory.

 

OCT 31

Your Name is GENEROUS

Right now ... I thank you

for everything in my life — especially _______.

Make a list — real or mental, long or short — of things you pray for.

 

NOV 1

Your Name is HOLY

Right now ... let worship and awe rush over me

as I pray like the angels: "Holy, Holy, Holy!"

Stop ... look ... listen ... celebrate ... and worship.

 

NOV 2

Your Name is IRRESISTABLE

Use this day, O Lord,

to draw me irresistably closer to you.

Ask for the grace to sink into his arms.

 

NOV 3

Your Name is JOYFUL

Use this day, O Lord, to help me appreciate the details of life even more,

thereby filling me with greater wonder and joy.

As many days as you can remember back, recall what’s brought you joy. Then ask for today.

 

NOV 4

Your Name is KNOWABLE

Use this day, O Lord, to remind me that you are not distant,

helping me instead to know you more personally.

Do you know God in your heart and not just know about him with your head?

 

NOV 5

Your Name is LOVE

Use this day, O Lord, to assure me that you have my picture on your refrigerator

and that I am wonderfully yours!

Consider God love: If you were the only person in the world who sinned, he would have died just for you!

 

NOV 6

Your Name is MAJESTY

Father God, help me see your hand as your kingdom comes closer

and becomes more real and alive in me today.

Open my eyes to where your kingdom is breaking into my world.

 

NOV 7

Your Name is NEWNESS

Father God, refresh my heart and renew this world ...

and help us all seek for thy will to be done upon this earth today.

What is God telling you about his will for our world today?

 

NOV 8

Your Name is OMNIPOTENT

Father God, you are the powerful provider. Answer the prayers of my heart

for comfort, healing, or daily bread ... for me and those I love.

Pray passionately for the needs around you today.

 

NOV 9

Your Name is PEACE

Father God, restore peace to my relationships, helping me be the initiator

of reconciliation as I forgive those who’ve trespassed against me.

Who do you need to forgive? It may be hard, but it will set you free.

 

NOV 10

Your Name is QUIETNESS

Father God, when the noise of life distracts me, help me

wait upon the still, small, true voice that leads me not into temptation.

What tempts you? And have you listened hard enough to hear God’s still, small voice speaking to you?

 

NOV 11

Your Name is ROCK

Father God, be my my rock and my fortress, my shield and my armor,

and deliver me from all evil today.

What is the evil that’s swirling around us? And how is the evil one attacking you?

 

NOV 12

Your Name is SHEPHERD

Lord, you are the gentle shepherd of the sheep.

Help me rest (and rest in you) today.

Make a plan for how you’ll rest today. Make a plan for how you’ll rest in God today.

 

NOV 13

Your Name is TRUTH

Lord, you are the way and my life.

Teach me your truth — and more of it — today.

What’s the hard or nagging truth that you know you’re called to embrace?

 

NOV 14

Your Name is UNQUENCHABLE

Lord, you are Spirit, wind, and fire.

Blow through my life — unstoppable — today.

How real is the Spirit to you? Pray for him to have a bigger effect on your life.

 

NOV 15

Your Name is VICTORY

Lord, you are resurrection and life. Resurrect whatever is dying within me

and give me victory over whatever I need to escape from today.

What do you need to escape from? What victory do you crave? Pray for it!

 

NOV 16

Your Name is WISDOM

Lord, you are the vine, I am the branch.

Remind me to look to you — instead of myself — for guidance today.

What things do you know that you contradict God on? Choose his way today.

 

NOV 17

Your Name is X-TRAVAGANT

Lord, you are the alabaster jar of fragrant oil.

Pour your love, joy, and peace — like a river — over me today.

How has God’s goodness flowed generously over you? Lately? Ever?

 

NOV 18

Your Name is YOU

You are Lord of lords and King of kings. You are the great "I AM who I AM."

You are You! Fill more moments of this day with reverance and awe.

Look for God more fully today.

 

NOV 19

Your Name is ZEALOUS

Lord, you are absolutely passionate about my life.

Lead me out into your day.

Do you really believe that God is passionate about your life? Trust him to lead you today!

October 24 - Hebrews 2:1, 3

So we must listen very carefully

to the truth we have heard,

or we may drift away from it. ...

What makes us think that

we can escape if we are indifferent

to this great salvation that was

announced by the Lord Jesus himself?

Hebrews 2:1, 3

 

My son Robbie has a racing game on the computer. As you progress through the game, one of the challenges they present is learning how to "drift." "Drifting" is basically sliding around the corner. It's a controlled skid.

 

How many of us can say that some days that's the best we can do in our faith? Our days are racing by, out of control, and sometimes it seems that the best we can manage is a controlled skid.

 

Hebrews says that "indifferent" means "no escape." In other words, a crash is coming. Can you hear the squeal of the tires in your own life?

 

We wear ourselves out ... wear ourselves out ... wear ourselves out ... and are surprised when we don't have the inner resources to deal with life's collisions.

 

Instead of "indifferent" what if we were "different"? Indeed, what is God calling you to do different. With our car we do routine maintenance and practice defensive driving. So that we don't "drift," how might you slow down this coming week and enjoy the journey more?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who drives old cars

because they're less expensive

(and sometimes go slower

... which apparently is a good thing)