Hebrews 1:1-2

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. - Hebrews 1:1-2.

Dear Jesus,

I have experienced what the inspired writer is saying here. When I read your words they speak deep, grace filled truth into my heart. They purify my motives, establish my identity, and restore my purpose. I feel closer to my heavenly Father too. I get better discernment and peace.. I can tell that I am listening to the creator of the universe in a very personal way. thank you for having your words preserved through the four Evangelists. Help me to read, learn, mark and inwardly digest your words for the rest of my journey here.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

If you want to hear God's voice in your soul, read the Gospels.

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I ask of you, Lord; 
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much 
and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal, 
and so dishonor the name of my God. - Proverbs 30:7-9

Dear Heavenly Father,

I cannot improve on this prayer from Agur. It elevates worship of you above all things and purifies my motives in prayer and in life. Help me to sincerely pray these same words.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

To want God more than anything else, now that's faith.

Colossians 4:18

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains.Grace be with you. - Colossians 4:18

Dear Jesus,

In Paul's letter to the Colossians in the last verse he says, "Remember my chains!" I think we sometimes forget how you sent your apostles through difficult circumstances and then strengthened them to serve us in spite of their travail. Our culture teaches us that we can use difficulty to escape service. Paul didn't want to be in chains and it certainly changed his life and made it hard, but he still served you and us with whatever strength he had. Help me Lord to stay constant in prayer, active in service and steady in my devotional life regardless of what trials you allow to come my way. I also pray for all the Christians I know who are experiencing a severe trial right now. I do remember their "chains" and I ask you to relive their suffering. But also, make them strong like Paul to serve you and others right from the storm.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Difficulties don't stop us from serving, they season how we serve.

Colossians 3:16

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. - Colossians 3:16

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for all the people you have gifted and motivated to write songs and hymns that encourage my faith and comfort my soul. Thank you also for the technology to play any spiritual song I know with the stroke of a finger on my phone. So many of these songs have helped your word fill in the gaps in my heart. They help me fellowship with you and other believers too. When I am lonely please remind my by your Holy Spirit to sing a hymn or song that will cheer me up and keep me company. Also, help me to remember to share spiritual songs with family and friends to cheer them up.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God made hearts and spiritual music to fit together like a hand and glove.

Proverbs 27:5

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. - Proverbs 27:5

Dear Lord,

Help me to remember this when I am stung by an honest critique from a friend or colleague.   Their honest assessment will help me see through my blind spots to where I need to grow and change.  It's much better than having them secretly love me but never value me enough to tell me how to improve.  Give me tough skin and a soft heart so I am pliable but not vulnerable.  Change my thoughts about critique to an honest willingness to grow, all for your glory. 
Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Good friends will tell you like it is with an accepting smile of ownership. 

Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. - Hebrews 12:28

Dear Jesus,

I am moved by how many times you and your writers encourage us to be thankful and to live in awe of the heavenly Father.  It's mentioned in Romans 1, Philippians 2, Philippians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5 and many other places.  Thankfulness is your reasonable expectation from all of us, since you have given us life itself and the redemption of it after we threw it away.  And even though our own sin has brought on all of us an earthly expiration date, you graciously give us an eternal home that cannot be taken away.  I will live today in gratitude, peace and reverent awe that you chose me to know you and the power of your grace and promises.  My life is good because you made it, redeemed it and will preserve it in a mansion in the heavens. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Thankful awe is our proper response to the amazing gospel about heaven. 

John 4:23-34

Jesus said to the woman at the well, "The hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.  God is Spirit and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." - John 4:23-34

Dear Jesus,

These words you spoke to that woman in Samaria so many years ago both haunt and help me.  It's so easy to reduce worship to outward activities while my heart is far from you.  But you challenge me to ask myself if I truly believe, if I truly want to be good, if I truly love you and the Father.  I have to admit that every day my inner worship is mixed; some for you and some for myself and this world.  I repent.  You made me and saved me.  I want to serve you with my whole heart, even when no one is looking.  I know your word and your grace.  I believe them too.  Help me fight the urge to dangerously take them both for granted and just do my own thing.  Give me the grace and love I need to smile at temptation as I kick it out of my life. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

On any given moment we can fall away from grace or come back to it.  

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Dear Jesus,

On Thanksgiving Day I recount all the many blessings you have sent my way and I smile.  It's one day that I stop to count them.  It occurs to me that on every other day I can learn to smile too, if I will only count all my blessings from you.  The biggest is your grace that forgives and protects me from my sins and the evil one who wants to ruin me.  Then you add family, friends, my loving church, a government that protects freedom, and an economy that keeps rebounding.  Oh Lord Jesus, thank you for being my God and Savior and for giving me the privilege to share in life on your planet for a short while.  And thank you for promising that by grace when it is all done, I will enter the new world in heaven where no circumstances with challenge my thankfulness.  You are an amazing Savior. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Gratitude is the oil that makes our hearts run smoothly in all circumstances.

Proverbs 10:29

The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. - Proverbs 10:29

Dear Lord,

I often face situations where I am not sure what to do.  Do I go this way or that?  Do I say this or that?  Or do I just keep my mouth shut?  I find comfort in this little word that if I will seek your ways and do what you would do or what you tell me to do, then that choice can be my refuge.  I can know in my conscience that I let you have the situation because I only did what you asked me to do.  The results are up to you.  This faith filled way of deciding what to do frees me from the responsibility that manipulation brings.  Oh Lord, help me apply this wisdom to all my relationships and every arena in which I find myself.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Do what God wants and you will find out in time that you want it too. 

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the word of the Lord, and who meditates on his word day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.- Psalm 1:1-3

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Help me to turn off the TV whenever I realize that I am sitting with mockers.  Give me a Bible verse every day on which to meditate.  Speak to me from your world so my own loneliness doesn't drive me to seek the company of empty thinkers.  I want the strength of your word holding up my brain when the hard times come so I can prosper and bear fruit for others even though I must suffer for a little while.  Give me yourself through the word you plant in my heart. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God wants to be your close friend.  That's why he gave you his book. 

Galatians 3:15

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.