Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. - Luke 2:6-7

Dear Jesus,

It's so grand that I can hardly wrap my mind around it; the moment you were born, you were God lying there in the feed trough wrapped in rags. What a welcome we gave you and oh how similarly we have treated you throughout our lives.  We say, "God you can be here with us," but we won't necessarily give you the honor and reverence you deserve.  We give our "junk for Jesus" when our best gifts get cast down in front of idols.  Thank you for being the patient and merciful Lord who died for roaches like us.  I'm so thankful for your grace and by faith I will do my best to give you more than a manger as a dwelling place in my heart and life.  Since you are here with all your blessings, I will be happy in my Christmas celebrations no matter what they do or don't look like.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

When Christ is in your Christmas it's always the best ever.  

Galatians 4:4

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. - Galatians 4:4 

Dear Heavenly Father,  

I have spent my entire life wishing things would happen either sooner or later than they did.  I always want Christmas to hurry up and get here.  I couldn't seem to wait to get my driver's license either.  On the other hand, I never wanted our vacation to end and always hoped the holidays gatherings could go on for days.  With the strong desire you had to redeem mankind and restore our love for you, it must have been hard to wait centuries for your Son to do his magic in saving us.  You wait with your creatures don't you.  But when you wait there is no impatience, no groaning, no disappointment or angst.  You wait with understanding that you have just the right time for everything.  Because you do, I wait with you in faith filled peace.  Your time is the right time all the time.  You work your timing into my life and I will work my obedience from a trusting heart, with your help of course. 

AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson 

God's timing is the right time all the time. 

Luke 2:1, 4-5

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. - Luke 2:1, 4-5 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

The prophecy in Micah had said that your Son would be born in Bethlehem and yet your chosen couple was in Nazareth.  It's fascinating to me that you used the high and mighty Caesar to move them to Bethlehem by upsetting the entire Roman world with a census.  I wonder in my heart how many world events and government decisions are driven by your plans to move your people around and spread your salvation to more souls.  Public events are not just public events.  Many are heaven's private plan being enforced on earth.  I'm learning to trust you with how you guide my country and state in your providence instead of judging events based on political and social reasoning.  Your Christmas gospel reminds me that you have eternal purposes for people behind everything you guide or allow.  It gives me peace and keeps me centered in you through every circumstance. Your providence fulfilled Scripture in having Jesus born in Bethlehem.  Your providence will fulfill your spiritual purposes for me and everyone else.  Thanks for being God of everything in my life with grace. 

Pastor Don Patterson

God's good and gracious plan is behind every decision that he allows to affect our lives.

Luke 2:19

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. - Luke 2:19

Dear Jesus,

What was your mother pondering when she peered at you in the manger with shepherds arriving and gawking at you.  She knew she was a virgin.  She knew you were God made out of her flesh.  She knew you were her son and her creator.  She knew so many things and so few things all at he same time. She didn't know how you would live through trouble.  She didn't know how you would die and rise again.  She didn't know how she would fare being your mom.  Her heart must have been so full that the thoughts just spilled over the edges.  What a blessed life she experienced to have had the most intimate connection to you.  Thank you for creating her and then choosing her to be your Alma Mater.  Your choice brought me salvation.  Help me to treasure all these thoughts in my heart too. So, I realize how rich I am without having owned anything. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God took on the same flesh as us.  Is there a bigger mind blowing thought? 

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” - Matthew 2:1-2

Dear Lord,

You moved honest men who were seeking spiritual peace and wisdom to travel hundreds and hundreds of miles to find your son who is the personification of wisdom.  And your own people were barely ready to help them.  If it were not for your word in Micah they would have been oblivious as to what to say.  I know there are seekers all around me too but I fear we are not always ready for them.  Help me to be ready to lead them to your Son and his story today so they find you when they find him.  Give me a perceptive heart to tell when someone is really seeking to know you and the grace you have.  And when my moment comes to share, give me the right words to reach into their hearts and give them grace. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God is prompting people everywhere to seek him by reaching out to his people. 

Matthew 1:20-21

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:20-21

Dear Heavenly Father,

You turned that little couple inside out by bringing your son into our world through them.  I am eternally grateful that they were willing servants and let their lives be completely changed in order to participate in our salvation.  Help me to be so other oriented that I allow my life to be turned inside for the greater good of others.  Make me a servant in my heart so that I do not count the cost but find it a privilege and honor to serve. I praise you for the people you made Joseph and Mary to be for all of us. Make me that kind of person too. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When we say yes to God we will often have to say no to ourselves.  

Matthew 2:4-6

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” - Matthew 2:4-6

Dear Jesus,

You had just been born in that beautiful little town to fulfill prophecy and join my human race for our salvation.  Then after that glorious night, a power hungry king took the prophecy as his tip for murder.  He wanted to know where you were to be born and the sacred prophecy was his road map to kill.  Oh, how the way of the cross followed you from little on. Oh what love that you would allow such false motives to swirl around your life.  Give me that same purposeful love for everyone around me that ignores the pressures of evil in order to serve the people who need me.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God forced his way into a hostile environment to rescue his dear ones. 

Micah 5:2-5a

But you Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are the smallest of the clans of Judah, out of you will come a ruler whose origins are from of old from ancient times ... he will shepherd his people ... and  he will be their peace. -Micah 5:2-5a

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh how the plan to send your son to earth burned in your heart until it was done. As you waited to right our wrongs and give us peace in our consciences you proudly prophesied  of that day. You chose a small town and an insignificant place to give your Son flesh and bone. You demonstrated that you came for all people whether great or small, whether ancient or modern. You are no respect or of good or bad. You came to redeem us all. Now I ask, by the spirit of your Son, Shepherd my heart and life and give me peace to calm me every day. Help all your people to live in that peace and so reflect the salvation you have sent to their families and friends. Be our peace and help us to multiply peace in our peers. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Jesus comes to the small places and small people to give them big peace. 

Proverbs 12:11

Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense. - Proverbs 12:11

Dear Lord,

Help me to be diligent about my daily responsibilities and to work the "fields" I have in front of my instead of frittering away precious time daydreaming about quick fixes and quick get rich schemes.   You promise here that if I work hard at using the blessings you have already given me, you will see to it that I am taken care of. I don't want to chase fantasies.  I want to cooperate with you and work with what you have given me.  Help me to be active in work and prudent in the use of my blessings.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Hard work pays off with the fruit of contentment as well as the fruit of labor.  

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.  - Proverbs 11:3

Dear heavenly Father,

So often I am tempted to think that my life is guided by opportunities and my ingenuity at seizing them.  But when I think this way I lose a grip on maintaining my character and often become manipulative in my thoughts and approach.  Help me to remember that my integrity formed around your truth and love are the proper guide in every situation.  I want to be an upright person in all areas of my life instead of simply trying to get ahead of everyone else.  Help me to be honest, humble, loving and generous in every situation and toward every person. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

Integrity makes us a whole person even when troubles threaten to break us.  

John 15:5,8

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. - John 15:5,8

Dear Jesus, 

Spiritually speaking I cannot do anything that truly bears spiritual fruit without you and your word.  But many times I try to run on my own wisdom, strength and opinions.   I can tell that when I am in your word daily learning and growing how I am ready to face each situation with spiritual insight.  I just seem to "get it" from the beginning.  I don't struggle so much in confusion and can more easily do the right thing even when it's hard.  Help me to remember to feed on your word this week so I am healthy and fruitful every moment.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

God's word waters the soul and bears fruit for everyone one around us.  

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. - John 11:25

Dear Jesus,

These are the most comforting words that are a tremendous blessing at the most difficult time, when I lose a loved one or face my own passing.  They are the hops that decorates every dark and fearful moment of my live.  Even if I die, I will live in heaven and see those who have fallen a sleep in you.  Help me to enjoy this beautiful good news that you have rescued me from death while I struggle now to get through each day.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Christ's hope is simple, powerful and peaceful. 

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:1-2

Dear God,

Help me to dedicate everything about me to your service.  Your son lived his whole life for me.  It would give me great joy to do the same for him.  Give me the wisdom to avoid the self serving messages I hear every day from the world.  Renew my mind with brain vitamins from your word that guard and protect my heart.  Give me the the power to tell myself "no." when I am feeling I want to be first. Help me always have faith filled motives for everything I do. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

We love because he first loved us. 

Romans 13:1,7

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 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 13:1,7

Dear Jesus, 

It amazes me to think that you are actively using government officials in my personal life. I have such a tendency to separate what you do through your word from what you do through government.  But for you it is one in the same.  You are actively using both to shape my life.  On this day when we remember the life of our former president George H.W. Bush, I thank you for the way you used him to strengthen our economy, protect us from our enemies and to preserve our freedom to worship and spread your good word.  Thank you for the way you led him and his wife, Barbara, to honor the office with the dignified life they led both publicly and privately.  More than anything else, thank you for giving him your salvation so that today in addition to all the earthly accolades, he is hearing the angels of heaven and all the saints, singing praise to God for saving his soul.  Comfort his family with this unseen truth as they grieve over losing him for the rest of their earthly journey.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

A dignified president who preserves freedom is a great treasure for all of us.  

1 Kings 4:30-32

Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. - 1 Kings 4:30-32

Dear Heavenly Father,

Solomon asked for wisdom and you gave it to him, just like that.  I want wisdom too.  I have learned a lot of wisdom from your word especially from Solomon and his writings but I am asking now that you give me more wisdom so I use my life for the greatest cause, the greatest good in the greatest way.  I need your wisdom to navigate the troubled waters in relationships and to figure out how to order my schedule so I don't stay busy about trivial things.  I need your wisdom to tell the difference between forgiveness and indifference, between godly tolerance and licentiousness.  I need your wisdom to know how to find peace when disappointment keeps knocking on my door.  I need your wisdom in a hundred more ways that only you see. By grace please visit me with your Holy Spirit and give me wisdom to live my life as you always intended it to be lived. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Wisdom from God is pure, maturing, calming and inspiring all at the same time.  

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.