If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. - Galatians 3:15
Dear Jesus,
It is way too easy to fall into critical thinking and begin to have negative feelings about others based upon my my own independent survey of how I think they are doing. It can even get to my lips if I am feeling particularly comfortable around someone who will listen. I get what James is saying. It's too easy to bite and devour one another with criticism. Who am I to set myself up as the judge and jury of everyone else. Help me to live with grace in my heart for everyone and to be quick to forget what I perceive as their weaknesses. Give me a rich measure of discernment from your Holy Spirit that enables me to see things as they really are and still be encouraging to the people around me.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When we encourage someone else, we both are changed for the better.
1 Peter 2:15-16
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. - 1 Peter 2:15-16
Dear Jesus,
Your words are powerful all by themselves, but it's an unquestionable reality that your actions have made them even more penetrating for all of us. You perfectly walked the walk that you talked. I know that your amazing life and innocent death are my salvation but I still want to live a good life. I want to be gentle, generous and spineful. (as opposed to spineless) I want the prating fools that say all Christians are hypocrites to take pause when they observe me living and move among them. I hope my demonstrative love will make them long to have what I have because all I have is you and your perfect grace. I can share your grace with them like a spiritual fountain of youth. I am free to live however I want because I am saved and therefore I want to live a grace driven life. Help me Lord Jesus.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Jesus' salvation is so wonderful you can live in total freedom as a voluntary good person.
Romans 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”- Romans 13:7
Dear Jesus,
On this Veterans Day I am moved with great appreciation for all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of freedom and the protection of our nation. If it were not for them my life would be drastically different. Thank you for graciously giving me a benevolent government, troops that protect and don’t exploit us, and law enforcement that we trust instead of fear. Bless military families everywhere with extra grace. Help them as they live apart so we can live in peace. Protect their marriages and inter generational relationships. Make them strong in their faith and loving in their demeanor. And when their work makes them see things that will haunt them later, visit them with your Spirit and show them that they are forgiven, and will someday be in heaven where these chaotic forces of evil will never affect them again.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The military of any nation are its earthly guardian angels.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your word through Joshua reminds me that you have made faith a fiercely personal thing. I cannot ride on the coattails of my family's heritage. I cannot simply be a member of a visible church and think that constitutes faith. I cannot just hang out with your people and try to hide in the herd while we run through the gate to heaven. I cannot have faith in my inner being without showing it by the choices I make. The faith you create expresses itself by my choice to not live like the world. My idols are not those ancient deities that plagued Israel, They are comfort, pleasure, entertainment, success and money. They all beckon me to serve them. But I choose to serve you, my living Lord. Help me to show how I have chosen you over idols by demonstrating my freedom to be generous and my peace without perfect circumstances.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Not to choose is choosing not to, especially in matters of faith.
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3
Dear Jesus,
I can find joy when I suffer, if I consider your promises to strengthen and rescue me. I can find joy in suffering when you show me how it will help me serve others. But what throws me about your brother, James’ words here is that he tells me to consider it “Pure Joy” when I suffer. I think, “Really, pure joy!” Joy mixed with frustration and disappointment maybe, but not pure joy. So, I am begging you to do something supernatural in my soul. Give me the pure joy that’s talked about here. I want to experience pure joy from believing that you are making me stronger to persevere in faith. I want to have a joy from you that rises above all circumstances. I cannot find that joy without your help. Be my God and help me find your pure joy.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The truth brings joy to those who trust it.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Dear Lord Jesus,
Suffering without any reason wold be excruciating. But when I read here that you are preparing me to serve others with the same comfort you give me during suffering, then it gives me purpose and value in my suffering. You are making me a servant like you were on earth. Strengthen my faith and my resolve to bless others with the word of promise that you give me about your protection, deliverance, sustaining power and love so when I am suffering I can help others who suffer to find you during their travail. Make me an instrument of your peace.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Sometimes we have to be knocked down in order to receive the "pick me up" we need.
1 Peter 5:8-9
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. - 1 Peter 5:8-9
Dear Jesus,
I appreciate how you tell me not to let my guard down. It's easy to get lulled into thinking that I am only dealing with temptations from people whom I can see and hear. But actually there is a spiritual general with spiritual henchmen who are plotting my demise. Your word is my filter. I can decipher the events in my life only through your truths and promises. If I try to understand my life without your word I will most certainly fall prey to the devil's trap. Keep me alert and help me see the spiritual world behind the physical world that confronts me. Give me spiritual street smarts that enables me to retreat and advance at just the right times. Protect me from falling away from faith through doubt or sin. And uphold me with your gracious and almighty right hand. Help me to be the strength of others too today.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The devil's best weapon is to convince you that he doesn't exist.
Romans 14:5
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. - Romans 14:5
Dear Jesus,
I love the freedom you give us to honor some days more than others. While many honor tomorrow as a secular holiday shrouded in occult overtones, I honor it because I remember what you did to restore your word an grace to the church through Martin Luther. Had you not led him to nail those 95 reasons that grace is better that works to his own church door, I do not know if I would have salvation today. But you drive him up to that church on October 31,1517 and that opened a flood gate that watered my family with peace of conscience in your mercy. I will smile all day today because I know what you did for me on that cross as well as on that church door. At the end of today I think I will give out candy to little kids because I don't mind seeing their smiles as they figure out their neighbors have benevolent hearts.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The Hallowed Eve before All Saints Day brings tons more joy to Christians rooted in grace than pagans rooted in ghouls.
Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:24
Dear Jesus,
My sinful nature is a terrorist. It threatens, shocks, tempts and subverts me. You don't negotiate with terrorists. You eliminate them. Too often I have tried to placate my sinful nature by giving in, allowing it to speak to me, giving it ground in my heart. It never ends well. Forgive me for not crucifying my sinful self each time I see it. Give me the wisdom and desire to knock it off it's feet whenever it's obvious that my own sinful nature is what I'm dealing with. Help me to win the battle within me before I try to win the battle over others. I cannot always tell the difference between godly passion and sinful ambition. Help me to see through how my own sinful nature disguises itself so it can infiltrate and subvert my life. Oh, Jesus, by your Holy Spirit of love give me the spiritual insight to squash the power of selfish sin in my life today.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Christ's love leads us to take sin to the curb for garbage pickup every day.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Dear Jesus,
Your promises have created an alternate world for me alongside what I see, touch, smell, taste and hear. It's a world of hope and peace even when my physical world looks and feels hopeless. I have joy in the unseen reality of heaven awaiting after my time here is extinct. I can smile at adversity because destiny looms over the final ridge. I live by this world in constant peace even though chaos creeps in around me in my temporary surroundings. You give me this real alternate world by your amazing grace. Thank you.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
What we see with our hearts trumps what we see with our eyes.
Ephesians 5:18-20
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:18-20
Dear Jesus,
I wonder how many people know that you designed spiritual music to do what they reach for alcohol to accomplish. I wonder how many of your own children realize that thankful praise is better than the buzz of wine. I guess it doesn't matter to me how many others understand your power in music as long as I get it. Dear Lord, help me to sing spiritual songs in my heart, to share them with my friends and family and to use them to wind down at the end of the day. Remind me that a godly hymn is a great way to ramp up in the morning. Give me the music and lyrics that lead my heart to the green pastures of love, faith, hope and peace. And when I am lonely in my thoughts come to me with your Spirit's songs to be a companion for my lonesome soul.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Godly songs create spiritual intoxication that leaves no hang over.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8
Dear Jesus,
Paul was in prison and being falsely accused when he wrote this little verse that shares one of the secrets to having peace of mind. We are to think about good, positive, noble and godly, things. That gives me permission to take a vacation from dwelling on the negative, disappointing stuff. I like that. I will force myself to stop dwelling on the ways I have been disappointed or hurt. I'm going to think about friends and family that love and support me. If I spend more time counting my blessings I won't have time to count to the setbacks. I know problems are but they don't have to be the only thing in my heart. I can crowd them out with admirable moments that need more attention anyways. I'll start with your cross and how you laid it all out for me. I'll add thoughts about heaven that awaits me. Hey, this is going to be a good day.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
One cannot horde too many blessings in their memories.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Dear Jesus,
Our tenancy is to live for the approval of others. That's why criticism hurts so much. But it's a deceptive and illusive goal to be dependent on others for one's own value. I am valuable because you thought me to be worth the sacrifice of yourself. You bought me and that makes me worth a lot. Now, you have the soul rights to judge, criticize, guide and direct me. I know you see the intentions of my heart. I know you love me even though you see my weaknesses. And you have judged yourself so I could live under grace and learn to grow into the person you have always wanted. Help me to live free from concern about what people think so I can freely love them boldly.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When we don't care what people think about us, we are free to care for people more purely.
Proverbs 23:17-18
Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:17-18
Dear Jesus,
It's so easy to see people short cutting to success by doing things that are unethical and wondering why you allow them to get their way. It makes me envy their wins. But you beg me here to trust you and refuse to succumb to their ways. You want me to pursue the fear and respect of you instead of success at all costs. I love your promise that their is a future for me when I put you first in all dealings. I will live by that faith and wait for you to make good on your promise. I figure that if you saved me by giving up your son you most certainly will bless me as I follow your ways.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
God's way may take longer but always ends better.
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor. - Proverbs 22:9
Dear Jesus,
Your joy in life was to give it all for me. It blessed you to bless me with salvation. I want the blessing of being a generous person like you. Help all of your saints to see the needs around them, especially of the hungry. Make your church the extension of your love to the people who live on your planet now who need the help of others for food, shelter and clothes. Make your love known through us who claim your name as ours.Help believers everywhere learn the thrill of sharing.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
We are Christs hands and feet as long as we also have his heart.
John 5:44
How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? - John 5:44
Dear Jesus,
Your words strike fear in my heart because all my life I have wanted words of approval from people. I have even foolishly measured my happiness based on how much approval I had lately received. I would say that what attracts me the most is that people are visible and their praise seems as real as their skin. It makes me feel valuable. Their praise seems to give me worth and meaning. But just as their words give me joy, they also trap me and give me sadness. One word of criticism seems as heavy as 50 pounds of praise. It crushes me. I hear what you are saying in this verse that if I am addicted only to the praise and criticism of people I will never believe in you. Your word about my life is the truth that never changes or falters. You see me as I am faults and all, but you do not try to manipulate me with praise or cuts. Instead, you simply reveal my need, then meet that need with redeeming grace. You restore my soul with love that promises your help and deliverance. You live with me by your Spirit and work with me as I am in order to take me to where you are. You are forgiving yet strong to push me toward being better out of love and faith. I believe in you because you are the God who made me and saved me. Oh Jesus, help me to listen to your word over the chatter of human centered approval ratings.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The measure of your worth will never have anything to do with how many "Likes" you receive from people.
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
Dear Heavenly Father,
I can learn to be strong and fight fear when I know you are with me in every situation. Your presence calms me because I know I am not by myself out there trying to figure out what to do. I'm glad to have your word to guide me and your promise to do lots of things behind the scene for me. Help me to rise up to face the tasks and challenging conversations today with faith and love and boldness born from the knowledge of your never ending presence in my life. Thank you for not abandoning me because of my sins. Grace helps me trust that I have your help in spite of how often I have failed you.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When God is in the room, everything looks different.
1 John 1:8-10
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8-10
Dear Lord Jesus,
Do not let me deceive myself by refusing to see my part in any problem. Help me to own my bad attitude and mistakes and to transparently come clean with you and my family and friends. Your grace and mercy make it possible and even attractive that I freely admit my wrong doings to others. When I know that my confession will be met with forgiveness instead of rejection it frees me up to honestly inspect my heart and life to see if there is any errant way in me. Thank you for padding my life with grace so that even though I am a sinner living with sinners we can recover and restore relationships instead of living isolated by our own selfish will and guilt.
Amen
Don Patterson
Nothing restores a relationship better than pure forgiveness.
1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
Dear Jesus,
I have never seen you or heard your audible voice. But I have experienced the power of your grace and forgiveness. It has given me peace and hope that I could not find anywhere else. Your truthful love brings real joy and purpose into my life. Thank you for meeting me in my heart. I cannot what to experience you also with my senses.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
A message that changes your life from the inside out is as real as water, air, land and nature.
Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. - Proverbs 10:5
Dear heavenly father,
Thank you for the parents who taught me to put in a days' work for a day's wage. Help me to continue being productive with the abilities and opportunities you place before me. I want to provide for my family and model for them the joy of prudent productivity. Your Son never wasted a second when he walked your earth and he made it count for me and everyone else. Help me to make every moment count too, in good times and bad, in challenges and breakthroughs. It's a great pleasure to live in your world. Help me to leave behind blessings that live much longer than I do.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
No circumstance can prevent us from showing God that we appreciate the life he has gifted us.