2 Corinthians 1:9-11

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1:9-11

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know you must have countless reasons for allowing me to go through difficult circumstances, but here in your word I find one that comforts me.  You are teaching me not to rely on myself.  That's a big job.  I was born wanting to be in charge and my raising in this culture is geared toward making me self sufficient.  So, when life is too big for me, that's okay.  I'm learning that it's not too big for you.  You are bigger than my life and will deliver me from my troubles.  You send help in a myriad of ways.  Some I have not even thought of yet.  I will set my hope on you that you will deliver me from all my troubles. Help me remember this passage today as I face health issues, mechanical failures, relationship stresses and challenges in my work.  Help to remember that you are a prayer away from delivering me.  Don't let me drive myself to your hospital. I will call your 911 and you pick me.  If you died for me, how would you ever not rescue me?

Amen

Pastor Donald Patterson

God stands behind the curtain waiting for us to call out for help.  

1 Samuel 25:23-31

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.” - 1 Samuel 25:23-31

Dear Heavenly Father,

David was on the run and needed help for his men and himself.  Nabal refused to help.  It enraged David so much that he saddled up to go kill Nabal and his men.  Nabal's wife, Abigail, knew both men were wrong.  Her husband was being a jerk and David was reacting out of raw emotions.  She knew he would have the burden on his conscience for his whole life if he killed out of anger.  So, she intervened and saved Nabal and his men for a time and spared David lifelong grief.  God help me to remember her wisdom when I am tempted to do something vengeful or rash out of anger.  Help me to avoid sinning against you and doing untold hurt to others.  Give me the power to stop myself, discern my motives, repent of my reactions and remove myself from the situation.  Give me the power to move away from chaos to peace.  Give me the wisdom of Abigail and your son to be a peacemaker as a member of your family. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

A clear conscience is worth more than great riches.

Genesis 50:15-17

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. - Genesis 50:15-17

Dear Heavenly Father,

Joseph's brothers had committed those sins many years earlier.  And yet, they were still plagued by fear and guilt. It made them listen to their worries and fears more than to Joseph.  How Joseph's heart must have ached that his brothers thought things about him that weren't true.  It troubles me when I hear that people are thinking things about me that aren't true.  It seems so unfair to have to battle lies that they believe.  Give me the patience and love you gave Joseph so I hang in there with them even though they cling to worthless ideas that affect our relationship.  Also, come into my heart and mind and clean out the false ideas I believe about others and help me to only focus on the truth that I know and the grace that forgives and restores. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When the Holy Spirit enters your heart he makes you clean out the lies you have hoarded for years.   

Psalm 84:1-4

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you. - Psalm 84:1-4

Dear Lord,

You have given me many special moments resting in peace in your church with your people hearing about your love and truth.   In your church I find rest for my soul.  I also find hope, faith and love.  My heart aches for the people who have decided that being with you and your people at their church is troublesome or boring.  They are missing out on the gift you have waiting for them there.  Please help them by your Holy Spirit to come back to the gathering of the flock.  Rekindle in them the fires that once burned in their hearts for worship, encouragement and praise.  The Old Testament priest who wrote this song found that his life made sense when he was in your temple.  I find that my life makes sense when I am in your church hearing your word. As a leader help me to do everything I can to make the Sunday morning or evening experience at church an attractive spiritual blessing so your people look forward to being there. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Gathering with people who love the word of God and speak it into our hearts, is wonderful privilege not to be taken for granted.  

Matthew 19:27

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” - Matthew 19:27

Dear Jesus,

I love Peter because he said what so many of us hide in our feelings.  We all want something back for what we have given up to follow you.  Our motives and devotion are flawed.  It isn't always tangible things that we expect.  It's often respect, gratitude, approval and encouragement.  But you don't want us to desire anything for our devotion.  Conditional devotion isn't really devotion at all.  You have no conditional devotion for us when you lived and died to save us.  No one needed to notice in order to give you the will to lie sacrificially.  Help me to live sacrificially without notice.  To love without concern.  To give freely without counting the cost.  Make me a servant like you who lives the full life of love and devotion to others.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Love doesn't notice that no one notices it's dedication.  

Colossians 3:5-8

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,and filthy language from your lips. - Colossians 3:5-8

Dear Jesus,

I see how serious you are about sin.  I can almost hear you saying these words with urgency.  There are no pet sins.  Sin is no pet.  It's a wolf trying to kill me.  You give me the love and strength to kick sin out of my life.  I must confess, that because my generation and the media it produces makes light of all sin, I am easily lulled into thinking that immorality and coarse language are not that bad.  But they are bad.  They destroy lives and distort humanity into something you never intended.  I find it thought provoking and enlightening that you tell me here that all these sins are idolatry, that is; worship of self, or humanity, or of sensuality instead of worship of you.You even call my proneness to anger a sin that I can avoid.  I know I'm forgiven for falling into these sins. Your grace gives me peace and peace gives me strength to fight the good fight again today.  I will say "No." to my sins today and I beg for your help seeing them for what they are and for the strength in your Spirit to kick them out of my life.  Help my family and Christian friends to do the same. 

AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson

Take as much caution to protect your soul from sin as you do your home from intruders.  

Psalm 94:18-19

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:18-19

Dear Heavenly Father,

I've often called to you from the quicksand of trouble and begged for relief and help.  I recall so many times that you have come to my rescue.  You sent someone to help me or console me.  You gave me answers and cures and help from various places.  You quieted my anxious heart with your promise to save.  Here I am living thousands of years later than the psalmist and I feel what he is saying.  You are there for your children.  But I need this word because I can't see you, hear you or touch you with my senses.  It's spiritual, deep in my soul.  But there the word, restores my inner peace. You love being my God and Savior. I know one day you will send angels to gather me to yourself.  My end here will be my beginning there with you.  I cling to that promise in my most fearful moments.  If it's not too much to ask, please Lord, right before you take me to glory, let me see your angels that come for me so in that most epic moment I won't be alone to face the leap over the canyon between earth to heaven. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God always delivers his people one way or another. He cannot abandon his own. 

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:32

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Worry is a constant companion that begs to talk to me.  I try not to listen to her, but she keeps blabbing in my ears that I need to be concerned about this or that all the time.  Often I get the best of her with a bible passage about how you take care of us, but like a dog she goes away for a little while and comes right back to her pestering ways.  She dogs me to think long and hard about scenarios that never happen and about possibilities for disaster.  This verse you have given me puts worry in a kennel.  You gave up your only Son for me, therefore you will give me the health, wealth, and safety I need.  If you allow some struggle it will not be because you decided to quit.  It will be for my good, the good of others and for the greater story to be completed.  I will not worry.  I will believe.  In that strength I face the day. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God committed himself to loving us when he sold out his Son.  He will never renege on that contract. 

Titus 2:15

Do not let anyone despise you. - Titus 2:15

Dear Jesus,

What a powerful little phrase you gave the young pastor, Titus.  I find confidence in these verses.  I'm easily intimidated by the critique of others.  Everyone wants to be liked including me.  But your grace and love have strengthened me so I don't need to work at being liked.  Instead, I'm free to love others even if it means I do or say something that earns their rejection.  I hear your fatherly voice.  Don't let anyone despise me.  In other words, keep their rejection on the outside of my heart. Only your love and promise to bless are allowed to enter the throne-room of my feelings.  They can criticize me but I won;t let their negativity become my own.  It can be theirs but not mine.  My acceptance of myself is based on your perfect grace.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When you know who you are to God, you care less about who you are to others. 

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. - Titus 2:11-14

Dear Jesus,

I want to think and do the right things for the right reasons.  You have given me a new lease on life.  But even though I long to do better, I notice that worldly passions are right there with me to tempt me to indulge instead of serve.  My downfall happens in my heart long before it is seen in my life.  But deep in my heart I appreciate your grace and mercy so much that I will not give up this fight to be eager to do what is good for you.  Thank you for being patient with me. 

Pastor Don Patterson

Living for God is like loving your best friend, it comes easy when you remember their love. 

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course,but the Lord establishes their steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Dear Heavenly Father,

How you must smile when you watch me plan. You know what you will do with each one. Your way is always better even if I do not acknowledge it right away. I have seen how you bring failure into my plans so you can turn them into your own successes. Thanks for letting me make plans. It's fun. But thanks also for puzzling me with your interruptions. Your control over my life keeps me connected to you in prayer and it makes me cognizant of your tender guidance.

Pastor Don Patterson

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. - Romans 14:8

Dear Jesus,

Now that you are my Savior I live for you and only you.  You have made me, saved me and you will get me to heaven.  I live and die for you.  This makes every day more simple, more meaningful and more peaceful.  I dedicate this day to your honor.  Make it a good day for both of us. 

Pastor Don Patterson

Only one fan matters most and he will never stop rooting for you.

1 Samuel 19:4

Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. - 1 Samuel 19:4

Dear Jesus,

I want to be like Jonathan and speak up for my friends when others are speaking poorly of them.  I want to learn to stick my neck out for them and help them gain a good reputation in the mind of others.  Help me Lord. Help me plant good words in estranged people's minds so they soften their hearts toward one another and learn to get along.  Give me the water to put out the flames of gossip that tear down and destroy.  Oh Lord, build up your people through me.

Pastor Don Patterson

A friend is someone who will defend your name even when he knows your weaknesses better than your critics. 

1 Samuel 18:1

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. - 1 Samuel 18:1

Dear Heavenly Father,

The friendship you created between David and Jonathon is an example for all of us.  They had every reason to let jealousy and disappointment separate them.  But instead they loved each other as dear friends. They looked out for each other, listened to one another and helped each other make it through life.  Make me be a friend like that so I don't foolishly let my disappointments and desires get in the way of being a friend who can be trusted.  Break down whatever selfishness is in the way of loving friendship.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

We must first learn to be a friend before we demand friendship from others. 

Proverbs 13:20

Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm. - Proverbs 13:20

Dear Jesus,

I have seen in my own life how my friends have influenced me for good or evil.  I remember being led by you to make new friends that would help me in my spiritual life.  Please help my children and grandchildren to get the truth of this word, so they will choose good friends that will guide them not distract them.  More than anything else, make them your friend by pulling their hearts close to you in devotion and prayer.  Open their eyes to see wonderful things in your word for their comfort and spiritual strength.  Lead them in the paths of righteousness in every relationship they experience. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

One good friend is worth more than a hundred shallow fans. 

James 3:17-18

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. - James 3:17-18

Dear Jesus,

Give me this wisdom from above.  I cannot produce it on my own.  Make me peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Help me see the supreme value of unity and togetherness.  Produce this wisdom between others and me. Make it fun and peaceful for us to live and work together.  I want to live in the peaceful fruit of righteousness and help others experience it too. 

Pastor Don Patterson

Godly wisdom always heals, always helps, always unites.   

James 3:13-16

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. - James 3:13-16

Dear Jesus,

I see your brother explaining to us the underlying reasons we have arguments and divisions among us.  We are tempted by our vain desire to be right in the eyes of all.  We have ambition for being in charge, top dog or simply to have an impact.  We want to be right whether we really are or not.  It's humbling to think we are dancing with demons while we are getting angry and firing off at someone we are supposed to love.  Oh Jesus, come give me a ride home from the dance. Expose my envy and give me the strength to sweep it out of my heart.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Love wins the person before winning the argument. 

Matthew 20:24-28

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:24-28

Dear Jesus, 

You taught us that greatness is not in ruling and dominating.  It's in serving and helping. How counter-intuitive to my natural way of thinking to hear that! But I believe it's true.  You are the greatest in my heart because you serve me in the greatest way.  Make me a great servant who cares little about recognition.  Put a guard over my mouth so I don't remind my family and friends of what I have done for them.  Make me forget everything I have ever done for others so I simply focus on them and meeting their needs.  Make me a blessing.  Give me someone to serve today and the wisdom to be great in serving them. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Great people don't usually know they are great. 

Matthew 20:21-23

“What is it you want?” he asked.

The mother of James and John said to Jesus, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." - Matthew 20:21-23

Dear Jesus, 

How patiently you redirected the conversation.  They asked the wrong question and so they would have received the wrong answer had you answered them.  So you asked them a better question, "Can you live a sacrificial life like me."  What a silly answer they gave.  The said they could and without you they couldn't.  So, at first they ran from you to avoid suffering.  But then later they lived and died as martyrs for grace.  It's just like us; we want the glory but not the guts.  We want the ease but not the pain of love.  We want to win but we don't want to struggle.  We want to be served but not to serve.  But you serve us still and save our souls and then lead us by the hand into the selfless life, that is; the full life that is selfless.  The only way to live selflessly is to be void of thoughts about reward.  You call us to let go of our carnal craving for praise and to lose ourselves in the joy of sacrificial love.  Oh Jesus, wrench my heart free from my love for self and make me a happy servant. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

People who worry about places in line have no place for joy in the grace of giving.

Matthew 20:20-21

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” - Matthew 20:20-21

Dear Jesus,

How easy it is for me to see the vanity in others ad over look my own.  It was audacious for James and John's mother to ask that her sons be elevated with you in eyes of the whole universe.  But I know deep down that by nature I am the center of my universe too.  I value an experience as good or bad by how it serves me and then my closest loved ones.  I ponder most often how I can get ahead and not how I can get behind and serve.  I want grace and forgiveness for me but too easily withhold it in my heart from others.  I'm embarrassed that I want what that mother wanted for her children.  Forgive me for wanting to be king of my life and king in front of others.  Give me your servant's heart that is lost in self forgetfulness.  Make me a servant today who leaves the selfish brat in the closet. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Hurt feelings and vain boasting are the heads and tails of the coin called self intoxication.