Today is May 16th.   
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you. 
   
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from Psalm 32.

 
Blessed is the one 
    whose transgressions are forgiven, 
    whose sins are covered.
 Blessed is the one 
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them 
    and in whose spirit is no deceit. 
 When I kept silent, 
    my bones wasted away 
    through my groaning all day long. 
 For day and night 
    your hand was heavy on me; 
my strength was sapped 
    as in the heat of summer.  
 Then I acknowledged my sin to you 
    and did not cover up my iniquity. 
I said, “I will confess 
    my transgressions to the Lord.” 
And you forgave 
    the guilt of my sin.


It’s been said that the keys to Christian wholeness are repentance and forgiveness. Turning from our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. This psalm is all about the gift of confession, which is the act of putting words to the wrong we’ve done, before God and others. Think back to something that you know you’ve done wrong at some point in your life. How did you feel about the possibility of that sin being exposed before God or other people?  
 
Our human tendency is to minimize our sin, to deny our sin, to deflect our sin onto others. But the psalmist reminds us of what our unconfessed sin does to us—it makes us sick. Spiritually, and sometimes also physically. But when we confess, we find health and wholeness. As you hear the psalm again, listen to the freedom of confession.  

Take a moment and think about a sin that you are carrying with you—something that you haven’t confessed and released before God and with another brother or sister in Christ. Can you turn from and ask God to forgive you of that sin? Can you ask someone to pray a prayer of forgiveness over you today?  

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Music: Kyrie Eleison - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is May 15th.
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from 1 John chapter 3.  
 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 
 

The first Jewish rabbi to address God as Father was Jesus. There is not one reference to God as Father in all the biblical and extra-biblical literature before Jesus. It was Jesus who introduced this radical notion, first by calling God his Father. But also by teaching his disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.” How do you feel about the Christian practice of calling God, Father?  
 
It was world shattering at the time to call God Father because God was not this reachable, this close, this loving. God was and always is holy, but now he is also here with us, caring for us like a parent cares for a child. As you listen to the passage again, listen for holiness of God—purify yourself, just as he is pure. But also for the tenderness of God—what great love the Father lavished on us.  
 
We know that when Christ appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Today’s passage is a contrast to what it was like to live under the first covenant. Under that covenant, nobody could see God because of his holiness. Now, under the new, when we see God in Christ, we will become like him. As you continue through your day, consider what great love the Father has lavished on us.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    
 
Music: "Sons and Daughters" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is May 14.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Titus, chapter 1.  
 

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 
 

Christian leaders are called to live principled lives that reflect the model of Christ. Amongst our pastors, we talk often about our principles of integrity, humility, pastoral professionalism, accountability, and being above reproach. Consider spaces where you have influence—at home, at work, among your family, or church community. Ask the Lord for grace to search your heart to see if there are places where you are not ‘holding firmly’ to the way of Jesus. 
   
King David, scripture tells us, shepherded God’s people with integrity of heart and skill of hand. If you are a leader in any way, as a Christian, that’s your aspiration too: to be skilled at what you do, and to do it with spiritual integrity. Listen again to these words from Titus, and allow them to draw your attention to any areas of your own life or leadership that may need strengthened or encouraged.  
   
It’s impossible to ‘hold firmly’ to God’s message without regular confession, repentance, and prayer with other believers. If you haven’t practiced these disciplines with someone recently, could you make a commitment to bring these practices into a current spiritual friendship? It’s so easy to keep our relationships shallow. As we close our time of prayer, ask God to show you a person in your life – perhaps a friend, a small group leader, or a pastor—you can talk with so you can continue to ‘hold firmly’ to the way of Christ.  

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: Prayer of Consecration - Vineyard Columbus - (YouTube)

Today is May 13.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 28.  
 

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.   
“Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.
 

Alright, I know what you are thinking: this is a strange passage! It’s instructions to Aaron with regard to the temple. It’s so detailed: instructions about the cloth, about the designs, about the colors, and about the religious ritual Aaron was to be a part of. And in the middle of it, one very significant line: “the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters and comes out... so that he will not die.” You might not understand all of the other details, but that’s pretty stark. How do you think Aaron felt about that?  
   
How does that differ from what we read in Hebrews: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. In the Old Testament, approaching God’s throne was fearful. In the New Testament, because of Jesus, we can approach him in confidence, knowing we will find mercy and grace in our time of need. How does this make you feel? Listen again and pay attention to the difference in ‘approaches to God’ we see between the old and New Testament.   
   
Take time as we end prayer today to ask God to give you the gift of confidence in His mercy and grace. Again: we’re not called to be only ‘self-confident’ the way so many understand it. Any self-confidence we have stands on our confidence in the character of God, and His availability to us through Jesus. Invite God to grow an understanding of this confidence in you.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: No One Like You - Vineyard Columbus - (YouTube)

Today is May 12th.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of Jude (1:3-4, 17-21).

"3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

Jude, like many early Christians, is warning us about the various philosophies, ideas, and teachings that will lead us away from the truth found in the Gospel of Christ. Jude says that one common perversion is that grace gets turned into a license for immorality. The writer Deitrich Bohnoeffer called it “cheap grace.” Another perversion is that Jesus is denied his divine status. He becomes just one of many sources of inspiration. And his authority, his Lordship, in our lives is diminished.

As you hear the passage again, consider how these ideas have tempted you. How have you cheapened grace by not taking sin seriously in your own life? In what way have you not taken Jesus’ teachings seriously and not been obedient to his commands?

"3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."


Jude encourages us to build ourselves up in the faith. Consider what you can do to build yourself up in the faith. What practices have you done in the past that have built up your faith? Could you commit to do something today to build your faith? Jude also encourages us to pray in the Holy Spirit. As we close our time of prayer, take some time and pray in the Holy Spirit. Welcome God’s presence and ask him to strengthen your faith.

Music Credit:
Room At the Table - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Today is May 9th.
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy, chapter 10.

 
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. 
 

Justice is hard to come by in our world for many people. There are whole groups of people who are often deprived of justice. The phrase repeated in the scriptures that represents groups of people deprived of justice is found here in Deuteronomy: “the fatherless, the widow, and the foreigner among you.” As you look around at our world, what people have you seen experience injustice?   
 
Moses is sharing a difficult word with the Israelites. He chastens them because the source of injustice isn’t just from the outside, it’s from the inside. It’s their attitudes that are the cause of the injustice that God condemns. As you hear the passage again, consider an attitude that you may have, a behavior you may have demonstrated, that has contributed to injustice for someone else.  

The antidote is the character of God, Moses says. God doesn’t show partiality. He defends. He loves. He gives. He provides. As we close our time of prayer today, can you make a commitment to give your time, your activity, your money, to someone in need so that they may experience the mercy of God?

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "All The Same" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is May 8th.     
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from 1 Peter, chapter 5.  
 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 
 

Our whole culture, and everything in us, fights against suffering. Seeking comfort and avoiding suffering is one of our highest aims. But the Apostle Peter sets a different expectation of suffering for Christians. Peter says that it’s a normal part of our human experience, and as Christians, we should expect that suffering will come our way. We are not to be surprised by or shocked by suffering when it occurs in our lives. What is your reaction to suffering when it happens to you?  
 
Peter says that we should find encouragement in the midst of our own sufferings by considering the sufferings of others around the world, especially those who are suffering because of their faith in Christ. As you listen to the passage again, call to mind someone who has been a model of Christlikeness in the face of suffering.  

Peter encourages us by reminding us that, in light of our eternal glory, our suffering will only last a little while. And Christ himself will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. As we close our time today, can you turn that into a prayer… “Christ, today I pray that you will restore me, make me strong, make me firm, and make me steadfast.”

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "I Lift My Eyes Up" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is May 7.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from Psalm 93. 
 
 
      The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;  
         the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;  
         indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.  
      Your throne was established long ago;  
         you are from all eternity.  
      The seas have lifted up, LORD,  
         the seas have lifted up their voice;  
         the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.  
      Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,  
         mightier than the breakers of the sea—  
         the LORD on high is mighty.  
       Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;  
         holiness adorns your house  
         for endless days. 
 
 
The psalmist sounds so certain and full of faith in this text. How are you feeling as you come to prayer today? What handful of words might describe how you are doing?  
   
I love the psalms because they express a full breadth of human experience – from absolute faith to delight to certainty to lament to doubt. Sometimes, all in the same psalm. The psalms are a model for us of how to approach God in worship and prayer: totally vulnerable, emotions and all. Listen to the psalmist again and pay attention to one word picture that stands out to you. 
   
Consider how writing your prayers out might help to deepen your devotional life. Perhaps you could take a few minutes as we end to write out a prayer to the Lord. 

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "Who Can Compare?" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is May 6.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Timothy, chapter 6.  
 

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 
  
 
Paul is writing to the young man he’s mentoring. He’s calling Timothy to be a ‘man of God’, and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. As we enter into prayer today, think about a man in your life who you consider a ‘man of God’, who truly reflects these qualities. Thank God for these men- young and old - around you who have demonstrated Christlikeness to you. 
   
The language in this text is pretty directive and strong: flee from sin! Pursue righteousness! Fight the good fight! “take hold of...”. Listen again to the text and pay attention to what word stands out to you. 
  
The early church was made up of women and men who pursued God with passion and strength, as well as with humility and self-sacrifice. Would you take time as we close in prayer – right now - to write a letter, or text, or an email of encouragement to someone in your life who’s inspired you to ‘fight the good fight of faith?’ We all need to hear words of courage as we pursue God. 

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "Take My Life" - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)