Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.  - Psalm 139:7-12

Dear Heavenly Father,

It is both comforting and frightening to my divided heart that there is no getting out of your presence ever.  I cannot ever hide my misdeeds from your glance.  But also, I can never complain that my life is hidden from your gracious stare.  You watch my life to protect me and then to correct me - all at the same time.  I used to think my mother had eyes in the back of her head.  You are much more observant than she was.  You have no back so your eyes are on me all the time.  It keeps me hopeful and honest, sober and settled, peaceful and prompt.  Thanks you for reminding me that you see me all the time.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Remembering that God is always present changes everything you think in every situation. 

Psalm 139:1-6

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;  you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,    too lofty for me to attain.  

Psalm 139:1-6

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I read these words from David I am blown away by two thoughts.  First, that you know me better than I know myself.  You know every detail of my life from the moment my dad winked at my mom to the moment I will gasp with one last breath.  Every moment, every thought, every word and every deed, you know perfectly.  How can that be?  The second thought that blows my mind is this:  You love me even though you know me.  This I cannot fathom logically either.  But this illogical pair of thoughts are my mainstay in life.  I am known and loved by God, my Creator,/redeemer.  It's enough to help me carry on in the hope, faith and love that makes life real.  Thank you for revealing to me what I need to live out my days with the highest dignity, meaning and purpose.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us more too. 

Hebrews 10:30-31

For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:30-31

Dear Jesus,

I remember how I trembled when I knew I had tested my own father beyond his limits.  When his disciplinary side came out, "Watch out."  It wasn't going to be pretty.  But by demonstrating that there is a limit to patience, and that sooner or later justice will be served, I learned to fear him and you in a healthy way.  It made me deal with my own rebellious heart.  If it would try to lead me down the wrong path I would think, "There's a limit to patience."  I know you are slow to anger and patient with everyone.  But if we do not learn to follow you in faith and obedience, if we test your will again and again, I know you will bring justice on us.  You sent your Son to save me.  It was dreadful that he fell into your hands, the hands of the living God.  But even though he saved me, that doesn't mean I can live like a hellion.   I am a heavenion! So, give me the wisdom to fear your just anger if I were to abuse your grace and use it as a licence for selfishness or evil.  Give me grace and forgiveness for when I have run from you and do not let me take your patient to it's limit.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God sent his Son so no one has to go to hell.  But if we reject his Son, hell is what we rightfully deserve nonetheless.  

Hebrews 10:35-37

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, (as it is written) “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” - Hebrews 10:35-37

Dear Jesus, 

I'm confident that you have saved me for all eternity.  I am confident that you are watching over my life too.  In my faith I want to serve you in every relationship, every social setting and in every way.  But even with all my confidence and devotion, evil is right there with me.  I am tempted to doubt.  I hear messages from the world that you are only an invention of people for a crutch.  I am tempted to live for myself in the moment and quit serving others.  It helps to know you're coming back soon to call me to account with all people.  It keeps me honest and on my toes.  Please keep speaking to my soul through your Holy Spirit using your word, so I do not throw away my faith and spiritual blessings for a life of self indulgence and unbelief.  Give me the perseverance to make it all the way to the door from earth to heaven without wavering.  And make me an example and strength for others by the way you sustain me through every trial.  I depend on you to get me there.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

Hang on to God under every pressure and he will lift you out of it at just the right time. 

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5:3-4

Dear Lord,

I have to admit that my first thought when I suffer is not, "Hey, I should be happy about this because this produces patience and perseverance in me."   I'm usually squirming under the pressure that suffering brings.  But I'm listening to your word.  You tell me the good you are working in me by walking me through challenges.  I want to have more hope in my life. So, if enduring an illness or experiencing a set back makes me more durable and teaches me what to really value and if it gives me a bigger, better perspective, then I will receive it from your hand as a blessing rather than a curse.  Help me to grow in character by learning the deep lessons you want me to understand from my difficulties.   Forgive me for Jesus' sake for checking out on your lessons at times when I suffer.  I really do want to let you make me into a mature believer while I sojourn here on your planet.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Hard times create strong lives for those who will let it.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Dear Jesus,

As I watch the aging process take it's toll on us all, I can be grieved that no one can stop the slow slide down hill into the grave.  But you and your salvation bring a whole new positive slant to my thinking.  The slow slide toward the end of my earthly life is the way I will get to eternal life.  I am renewed in my heart by the thought of heaven being my destination and not the grave.   I cannot wait to get there where I will see my parents, sister and countless friends and mentors that have passed before me.  I can even get excited if I let myself.  Thank you for giving me the unseen world that faith sees.  It's real and it will last.  You have made it all mine by the sacrificial life and death you had for me. I will live out my few days on earth now in joy and hope. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Heaven is our forever home.  So, don't get too disappointed when you must leave places on earth that are temporary anyway. 

Joel 2:23

Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. - Joel 2:23

Dear Heavenly Father,

We take your rain for granted until we go several days without it.  The land looks tired and brown and things start dying around our yards.  But almost as if it was a train coming on time, you have started bringing us the autumn rains again.  Things are greening up.  The thirst is quenched and fall crops are budding forth.  There is mercy in raindrops.  Thank you for loving all that you have made enough to water the land.  Water our souls too with the wetness of grace and peace coming from your word.  Help us find insights in the word that delight our hearts and guide our thinking.  Make us less stressed and more peaceful.  Drove out the drought of selfishness and despair.  Replace it with the soft green grass of grace, love, faith and peace.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

As rain renews the earth with green growth, the word renews hearts with pleasant thoughts.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help me put a guard over my mouth so the unwholesome thoughts I have do not see the light of day.  Then,, give me the wisdom and courage to repent of those thoughts and send them away.   Then help me look at the folks around me and ask, "What good word could they use today to make their load a little lighter, their day a little brighter and their steps a little straighter. Then give me the moment when they will listen so I can plant that good word in their hearts. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Words are free but they are worth much more than they cost.  

Ruth 4:13-15

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." - Ruth 4:13-15

Dear Heavenly Father,

How you must have smiled in heaven to see your plan blossom.  When Ruth had baby Obed, Naomi experienced joy again.  Her life did not end when her husband and sons died.  Instead, it took a sharp right turn into your grand plan for all people. Obed may have seemed like a substandard "Plan B" for Naomi.  But you made him the ancestor of David who was the ancestor of Jesus.  Naomi and Ruth with all their pain were part of the greatest gift to planet earth.  Oh how wonderful your plan is once we see it!  Help me to remember that your plan for my life is bigger and better than the joys and disappointments I set up for myself.  Everything that happens now has new meaning because I know it's part of your plan and not the end of mine.  I see now that my goals are puny and shortsighted compared to yours.  I yield them to you.  Make my life what you want it to be for your fantastic designs for this world.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Our lives get bigger and better when we see that they are part of God's greater work. 

Ruth 3:10-11

“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.  - Ruth 3:10-11

Dear Heavenly Father,

Boaz saw the godly character in Ruth and he praised her for it.  It was what encouraged him to  risk having her as his bride.  Help  the young adults in my family and church to look for the inner beauty of godly character as one of their five reasons for courting a person toward marriage.  Help them listen to your Spirit when you teach them the values of Christ centered piety and peaceful faith, hope and love.  And for those who are looking for a spouse, give them the wisdom to work on their inner attitude as much as their outer beauty and physique so they are attractive to those whom you are growing into Christian adults.  Oh Father, create new godly couples all over the earth so the next generation will be more centered on your Son than our present one. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Godliness in marriage is the foundation for future heroes in the faith. 

Ruth 3:1-5

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. - Ruth 3:1-5

Dear Lord,

It's humorous for me to see women in the Bible times using their intuitions to move along the dating process just like they still do today.  You created these two sexes and you guide them to accomplish your providential will to create families.  Boaz was along for the ride at this point although he had some decision making freedom.  I remember how you used people and circumstances to bring my wife and me together.  I see how you have done that with so many others.  Thank you for guiding the drama that creates families. Godly love affairs are one your great spices to life.  They season all of us even when we are not the one in love.  The world distorts love affairs on the screen but when love affairs are God pleasing they are refreshing and exciting to watch as another generation begins through the coupling process.  You invented marriage and you guide it too.  I'm thinking of those family and friends that still long for a soul mate.  Give them their Ruth or Boaz in your proper time.  And comfort them with good relationships until you do.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Godly courtship excited God as much as it does any of us.  

Ruth 2:8-12

So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." - Ruth 2:8-12

(To get the most out of today's devotional prayer read all of Ruth 2.) 

Dear heavenly Father,  

It's very helpful for me to see these two godly people collide.  Boaz was a wealthy male Israelite.  Ruth was a poor Moabite woman.  Boaz had multifaceted strength in his community.  Ruth had nothing but her health and willingness to use her hands and feet to help her mother in law.  Ruth and Boaz couldn't have been more different in outward circumstances but they found a clear connection because of their inner life, which is faith driven character.  Boaz valued  character more than wealth, looks and influence.  So, Boaz drew near to encourage his sister in the faith.  He praised her faith driven generosity for Naomi. He protected her from harm and refused to exploit her vulnerabilities.  Lord, make me like Boaz, one who values the inner wealth of faith driven character in others, one who encourages such faith and protects people who are vulnerable.  Make me a person that the Ruth's of our day would feel comfortable around.  I want to be that true gentleman that you saved me to be. And yes, Lord, you can start by making more of a gentleman to the women in my family and church family even before those out in the community. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Focus on godly service and let God focus on opening doors for you. 

Ruth 1:15-18

“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”  But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. - Ruth 1:15-18

Dear God,

What burden you had laid on Naomi, to lose her husband and both sons!  But what blessing you gave too.  Ruth was committed to blessing her for the rest of her life.  You have given me faithful family and friends like Ruth.  You have made them willing to support, encourage and bless.  I am asking you now to make me like Ruth.  Make me a faithful family member to all those you have given me.  Help me to be there for them.  Give me eyes to see the need and a heart to meet it, even when it squeezes precious life out of me.  Make me an instrument of your peace and strength for others.  Help me alleviate their losses by being a blessing for them.  And more than anything else, help it all be in your name and for the glory of your grace.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God sends people to help us instead of appearing by himself.   

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2

Dear Lord, 

You have given me many strengths and talents and have taught me to faithfully use them to take care of my family and me.  I have enjoyed great freedoms and independence in a country that you provided that gives me great opportunities.  My life is free and fun in this corner of your world.  But I increasingly realize how much you have done to provide the scene, deliver the opportunities and bless my efforts.  I am also keenly aware that I need you for help in every area of my life.  Your supernatural grip on the entire universe and your specific intervention in my personal affairs is what allows me to survive and thrive.  I look to you for help and you graciously do.  I put my life into your loving hands today.  
Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God's hands hold us in life and hug us in the next. 

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4

Dear Heavenly Father,

I love this promise to sustain me even in my old age.  When I was younger and health concerns were far from me, I gave lip service to my need for help.  But I often thought I had what it takes to take care of myself.  But now I am older and the line between my good health and trouble is very thin.  That's why I love this word.  You made me.  You know your plans for my body and me.  You will sustain me and rescue me right until the purpose of my life is completed.  I will trust in your promise and not spend any extra energy worrying about my health.  Instead, I will do my best to take care of the vessel you have gifted to me. I need that energy back anyway!  Thanks for being my strength even as I get older. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God has a divine sentimental attachment to each of us. 

Colossians 3:13-14

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. - Colossians 3:13-14

Dear Jesus,

Too often I don't know what to do with hurts that people cause me.  So, I try to understand them, defend myself, seek justice and get even.  None of those tactics work to give me peace.  You tell me what to do with the hurts. Stuff them in a sack and leave them at the foot of the cross where you forgave them.  You tell me to forgive.  It sounds too simple but I know it's true.  I just need to forgive.  With your forgiveness I can let go of my anger and need for vindication.  Knowing you paid the price for their sin, gives me freedom to let them go without making them pay.  I forgive them.  Now, give me the wisdom and strength to forget about what they did, so I live in the peace of grace.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Forgiveness lifts burdens for both victim and perpetrator.   

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  - Acts 4:12

Dear Jesus, 

I often think how happy I would be to win the lottery.  But I forget that I have won a much bigger lottery with you.  In the lottery only one number wins.  In salvation only one name saves.  You have given me that name.  In the lottery one has to have the winning number as his own.  I have you as my own.  In the lottery you must trust the number enough to turn in your ticket and receive your prize.  In salvation I must trust you enough to let go of my self.  You have given me that faith.  In the lottery a person gets a boat load of money.  In salvation a person gets a ship load of blessings. Oh how happy I can be today to have won the heavenly lottery.  No other name saves and I have the one that does.  I will live without complaining today.  I will celebrate my salvation by smiling through every circumstance.  I am a winner in you.  

Amen

In Christ we have the only thing that can bring lasting joy. 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Dear Jesus,

You have given me truth from your word.  It defines my origin, my purpose, my faith and my destiny.  It tells me right and wrong and leads me in the way of righteousness.  Your word replaces selfish motives with faith and love toward you and others that flows from the gospel.  But I hear so many shallow and empty messages every day that beckon me to be true to myself or to do what feels right.  These messages argue against your truth and the fear of God.  They offer a whole different paradigm for my heart.  I struggle to see them for what they are sometimes.  Help me to guard what you have taught me and to filter what people around me are saying as well as what the television, radio and internet pour forth.  Give me the sublime strength to deny their temptations to disregard your will and your grace.  Give me the wisdom not to flood my soul with media programs that tell a great story but a have a godless human centered message.  Fill my life with activities that heal the hurting and mend the brokenhearted.  Use your Holy Spirit to deflect unhealthy thinking from my mind.  Be my Savior and walk with me today. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Never let your guard down when the world is talking to you. 

1 John 4:19-21

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. - 1 John 4:19-21

Dear Jesus,

You are confronting my soul in this verse.  I cannot separate my vertical relationship with you from my horizontal relationship with people.  I cannot say I know you and love you and then avoid loving everyone the way that you do.  I cannot segregate people in my heart into the loved and the unloved.  I cannot make someone my best friend while making another my reject.  I cannot hate or even come close to its gate.  Your call for me to love everyone the same is impossible for me to fulfill without you.  I need you and your love to fill me, drive me, change me and get back into loving even those who have hurt me.  Overwhelm my soul with your love that makes me serve those I have so easily discarded in socially acceptable but hateful ways.  Make me love all people the same.  Cause me to be a true vessel of your redeeming grace.  Maybe it starts with me tearing up the record I have of what they did to me or never bothered to do for me.  Oh Jesus, give me the pleasure of forgetful grace that frees me to love these folks again.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Love tears up the reasons to discard people and gives everyone an opportunity for a re-start every day.  

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

Dear Jesus,

What a cleansing and empowering verse!   If the truth were to be told, fear dominates our lives in too many ways to count, especially in relationships.  We are afraid of rejection so we reject first.  We are afraid of being exploited so we push people away.  We are afraid of shame or gossip or judgement so we slink and hide.  We are afraid to hurt so we isolate ourselves.  We are afraid of an argument so we refuse to confront.  Fear, fear at every turn.  But O God, once your love overwhelms our soul and makes us realize that we can never lose it, then we become the love we have received.  We aren't as addicted to ourselves as we once were.  We orient ourselves around the needs of others.  We forget ourselves and lose ourselves in loving and speaking the truth in love to everyone we meet, those near and dear and those we just met.  Love is bold and gentle at the same time, powerful and yet protecting.  It leads us into a full and abundant life that fear once stole from us.  You Jesus, are love personified and your love has given me a new opportunity to love others.  Thank you for freeing my soul.  Now help me love those whom I have famously feared in the secret place in my heart where only you take notice.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Set your heart on loving others and your anxiety level will drop dramatically.