Dear Father,
If Your Word wasn’t so perfectly balanced, we might look around at what seems like random, sad events, and wonder how You can really be in control. But just in the area of life and health, Bible heroes also suffered their measure of the effects of sin. We know of some who had lives cut very short, like Abel, Naboth, John the Baptist, and Stephen. Elisha and Paul suffered sickness and others experienced deep disappointments. Who on earth can figure it all out? Nobody. But You know exactly how every detail fits the puzzle. Indeed, there is no puzzle for You. All is one grand portrait of Your wisdom and grace. And in the end, we will eternally join our voices to sing Your praise. Amen.
Psalm 23:4

Dear Father,We often think quite highly of ourselves... of our talents, our opinions, our accomplishments. But You remind us that our lives are very much like grass, the common green stuff we walk on. From a distance, whether of space or time, we aren’t much different than a blade in the pasture.
Except that we are made in Your image! That adds to us a whole new and marvelous dimension. In Your image we have a transcendent NOW to obey in. We can’t change the past nor do we have a guarantee of being here tomorrow, but we can live for You in the present, for ETERNITY

Dear Father,
Thank you for so many friends, good friends, both fun and serious ones, some who have been so for decades. They are quite more than friends — they are eternal brothers and sisters, who will share with me in the unspeakable heavenly inheritance. What are Christian friendships but gifts from you?… First for this earthly life, and then for that coming one, gifts that remind us of the unique bond we have through our Savior, gifts that strengthen our hope and point us to the day when we will not have these same limitations of time and space.  What a Day that will be! Help me cherish each one, thanking them, and encouraging them, for being a part of my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
​Proverbs 18:2

Dear Father,
From our perspective, life can sometimes be very confusing. Only You see things from that eternal vantage point, from which every circumstance, every minute, every person, every motive, with all truth, are perfectly orchestrated to fulfill Your glorious will. Such a level of authority is beyond our ability to comprehend, but it is not beyond what we can believe. You have gifted us with minds that can live by faith. Therefore, we can rest in the knowledge that all things, secret or revealed, are within the scope of your loving power, and for that we praise You. In Jesus’ Name.
Deut. 29:2

Dear Father,
To relax in difficult circumstances is a need common to everyone in the world, and we who know You are blessed beyond words. When financial pressures crowd in on us, when our mind cannot shake a specific fear, when friends let us down, or when health fails, we have a powerful, spiritual medicine available to us 24/7. It’s a truth that we can claim by faith, a statement of reality, an anchor that will not move... for few things will calm the restless soul as quickly as, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
Thank You in Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 23:1

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Dear Father,
Our lives are often so busy and full of stuff... important and necessary stuff, even valuable ministry matters. But we can misprioritize even good and needful things and lose focus on what is absolutely essential — our walk with You. Help us today to have sense enough to take advantage of those little opportunities to STOP, look up, and thank You for your kindness. In Jesus’ Name.
1 Thess 5:1

Dear Father,
It is quite sobering to imagine life in the OT sacrificial system, witnessing the bloody death of thousands of birds and lambs and cattle. It seems so barbaric when compared to our typical modern lifestyle. And yet how important to remember that we are every bit like the Israelites, very proud sinners who urgently and constantly need the forgiveness those raw scenes spoke of. How privileged we are that today, through Jesus, you are pleased with our heart sacrifices, when they are truly broken and humbly offered to you. Thank you for always accepting our sincere repentance and restoring us back into your joy. In Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 51:1

I’ve known people who seem to always be questioning God and His Word, seeming to always put Him on the defensive.
To start with questions is logical, proper, even Biblical. But when dealing with an infinite God there has to come a point where you STOP...
And start BELIEVING.