June 16

Glorious Unity


My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one … I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are—

John 17:21-22 (NLT)


Before the cross, just before His betrayal, Jesus Christ looked into the future. He saw you and me and He prayed for us. Isn’t it interesting what He prayed? He prayed we would be one. He prayed for unity.

As parents, when my wife and I leave home and the boys remain behind, our biggest concern is they get along, avoid fighting and keep the house in one piece. But as I think about leaving earth for good, my wish goes deeper. I want them to live the way I hope I trained them to live. I want them to be so full of love for each other and for those around them that it shows.

It’s what I want for them—with all my heart. It’s also what Jesus wants. It’s what Jesus prayed for us—brother … sister.

The one thing Jesus wants from us is to follow His example ... to do the Father’s will ... to love one another. This is unity. This is glorious!


Father, help me understand what I can do and say—the attitude I can show and share—to promote unity. Glorify us ... together ... in Christ! Amen.

June 15

Learning Patience


God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 (NLT)

This verse encourages me … and so does my mom.

I can truthfully say, I believe my mother will receive a rich reward in heaven, and this excites me. From my vantage point, Mom has put up with so much—and with such patience! For years, she has dealt with a difficult marriage, yet still managed to invest her life in others—especially in her families—at home and church. With great care she tenderly looked after three of us kids and watched us grow, leave home and navigate the speed bumps of life.

The challenges are different now that she’s eighty-five. Her concerns are health related. Like dealing with the limitations of glaucoma or the excruciating pain of arthritis. Her patience has been noble, dignified, unselfish.

Now today, I read this verse, and I am encouraged … for her, yes, but for you and me as well.

As I read these words, and as I reflect on life’s experiences, I am motivated to live with care with a mind for others … to be like Mom … to be more like Jesus.


Father, what a great realization—that You reward patience and that this is something You desire in my life. Thank You, Father for giving me the ability to endure and for giving me such great examples—for showing me the way of Your love. Amen.

June 14

One Thing God Wants


Let my people go so they can worship me.

Exodus 8:1 (NLT)


… true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is here already. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him.

John 4:23 (NCV)


The one thing God wants from me? My heart.

Effective worship is what He is after, and worship is a matter of the heart. Jesus said, “True worshippers will worship in spirit and truth.” Believe it or not the effectiveness of our worship does not depend on how smooth our church service goes or if the piano and choir are in tune. Sometimes it’s not even about being in church—though we certainly can worship there and should. No, it’s deeper than that.

It’s all about God having our hearts. Too many times though, when we should be focused on God, someone else or something else occupies our minds.

God says, “Let my people go,” and He is prepared to send disaster, sickness—whatever it takes—to free His people.

Have you been freed? Do you worship God from the heart? Where was your mind last Sunday? Where is it now?


Father, free our minds for You. Fill our lives with worship from the heart. Amen.

June 13

Falling to the Ground


Jesus and his followers went to a place called Gethsemane. … Jesus fell to the ground and prayed….

Mark 14:32,35b (NCV)

Three times each day Daniel would kneel down to pray and thank God, just as he always had done.

Daniel 6:10b (NCV)


Jesus and Daniel had something in common: the need to pray. And in these passages their postures reflected their hearts. They were desperate to talk to God.

I read these verses and I must confess, too often, my prayers have been more of an exercise than an experience with God. Where is my heart? Where is the passion to take my life to Him? … the lives of others to Him?

Why don’t I beseech Him, beg Him, bond so tightly with Him that EVERYTHING comes out? When will that happen?

It starts today.

Today I am back on my knees seeking His help, His will, His good pleasure.

And how about you? Is it time for a change? Time to rekindle the best relationship you’ll ever have?

It is for me.


Father, hear my prayer. You are worth knowing and knowing well. Guide me into closer communion with You. Know my heart and let me know Yours. Amen.

June 12

Back to the Basics


Jesus answered … “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures, ‘You have taught children and babies to sing praises?’”

Matthew 21:16c (NCV)

On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the pass-word: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all generous love, loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100 (the Message)


After a particularly disappointing midseason loss to a team the Green Bay Packers were heavily favored to win. Coach Lombardi gathered his players in the locker room. It was deathly quiet as the players realized they were about to receive another tongue-lashing from their coach. Lombardi slowly turned to face the team. In a stern voice he said, "Men, in all my days of coaching and playing I have never witnessed such a poor exhibition of football. We did not tackle, run, throw or catch the way you have been taught. Starting now we are going to begin with the basics." With that, he pulled out a football and held it in front of him. “Men,” he said, “this is a football.”

After a couple of seconds of silence, all-pro middle linebacker Ray Nitschke raised his hand, “Coach,” he said, “could you go a little slower?”1

Do you feel like one of these Green Bay Packers? You should be winning, but you’re not? Perhaps God has blessed you in wonderful ways, but you’re not thankful and you are not excited? Maybe you don’t feel motivated … to pray, to read the Bible, to live for Him?

May I suggest you return to the basics? Entering His presence with thanksgiving and praising Him for His greatness is the surest way to reset your focus and sense His joyful presence.

Jesus understood this completely; the psalmist knew it well; you can experience it, too … right now!


Father, Accept our gifts of praise and thanksgiving. Fill us with the wonder of Your goodness. Amen.



1 Steve Sonderman, How to Build a Life-Changing Men’s Ministry (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, 1996), p.83.

June 11

Nothing to Fear!


… I will be with you …

Joshua 1:5b (NLT)


“Dad, I am afraid of the wind. Will you walk me to the school?”

I don’t know how many times I heard my eight-year old son ask me that, but each time, I agreed and walked him to the school. He knew he could trust his father. He understood I was there for him.

As I returned from the school, it made me realize something. God likes to remind us, his followers, He will always be here for us. He said it to Moses (Exodus 3:12); He made the same promise, here, to Joshua (Joshua 1:5,9); and when Jesus commissioned His eleven disciples, He included this promise to them (Matthew 28:20).

God has always assured His people—those living for Him and doing His will—that He would be with them, that He would not forsake them nor would He fail them (Deuteronomy 31:6-8).

And us, what about us?

We are given the same words of encouragement from the author of Hebrews, “God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never forsake you’" (Hebrews 13:5).

My son knows he can trust his dad to be there for him, to take his hand, to walk with him. How much more should we realize God is here for us?

Let’s take His hand and with confidence enjoy walking with Him … every day … all the way … until we meet Him face to face.


Father, open my mind to this truth and cause me to understand—I have nothing to fear! Amen.

June 10

Opportunity: Big and Small


… this will give you another opportunity to believe …

John 11:15b (NLT)


Life can be a series of tests and, hopefully, triumphs. Disasters, inconveniences, problems are all simply opportunities to express faith in God’s ability to weave the sometimes chaotic details of life into His marvelous plan.

But do we see life this way?

Jesus did. Though He would later weep at Lazarus’ tomb, here He is glad for another chance to increase His followers faith—a key ingredient in living for Him.

For me the challenge is to see God’s hand, somehow, in the small annoyances of my day—the backed up traffic, the crying baby, that hard-to-deal-with person. These seem to be my biggest challenges.

Let disaster strike and I run to Jesus just like Mary the sister of Lazarus. I am immediately overwhelmed and run to the Lord. My hope is all in Christ.

In contrast, it’s the small annoyances that find me walking in circles and wringing my hands. It’s just too easy to complain and react in unfaithful ways. Too soon, I forget, He is my day. He who stooped so low to save me still gives me opportunity to trust Him—each and every day.


Father, even as a believer in Jesus, I can be blind. Help me remember Your promise never to leave me nor forsake me. Help me make the most of all of life’s opportunities by trusting You, by walking in faith. Amen.