Month: January 2025

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Prudence in Managing My Finances

Dear God,
Any good gift I have comes from your loving hand. All that I have from you is a trust to be managed. Help me to be prudent in my handling of it. 

I especially seek your guidance in managing my finances. Others may welcome debt as a normal part of life, but I want to avoid it as much as possible and live within my means. While it is a simple recipe to avoid spending more than I make, it is also simple to thoughtlessly and effortlessly purchase unnecessary items and services with the click of a button from my phone or laptop. Keep me free from slavery to stuff while also avoiding the reputation of being a stingy miser. Let me be known for a generosity that willingly meets the needs of others and eagerly supports gospel ministry. Richly bless my faithful efforts at managing what you entrust to me, so that I may continue to honor you by richly blessing others with it.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Live in My Baptismal Grace

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. On this Sunday, many services and sermons will be focused on Jesus’ baptism. It was there that you both anointed and affirmed him, setting him apart as our Substitute and your Son, who was perfectly qualified to secure our salvation. 

Just as you revealed his identity at his baptism, so also did you reveal my identity at my baptism: by faith you call me your son. As your son, I am also heir to your kingdom. Surely the inheritance awaiting me in heaven far surpasses anything I could ever inherit on earth! Therefore, let me embrace the treasure that is my baptism, by which you clothed me in Christ adopted me into your family. Let my baptism be for me all that I need to live securely every day in my identity and status before you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Bring Good Even Out of Disaster

God of All Goodness,
Even though natural disasters are able to bring about devastation and destruction, they also provide a setting for you to demonstrate how you keep your promise to work good in all situations. When people are threatened or in danger, we see the best in mankind as others are willing to sacrifice and put their own lives at risk to rescue or help them. Prayers are multiplied in the midst of tragedy and turmoil, which is not only a blessing for those in harm’s way, but also for those directing their focus and attention to you.

When we learn from mistakes in how certain things were handled, we are better-equipped the next time disaster strikes. Catastrophes also provide channels for charity to be exercised to meet the needs of those experiencing loss. And of course, those unaffected or untouched by the disaster are more appreciative, grateful that they were spared. Continue to bring good from all situations, and grant many the gift of faith to see it and to be edified by it – even when disaster strikes.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Experiencing Devastating Loss

Providential Lord,
Recent and ongoing wildfires have taken so much from so many. The homes and possessions lost are so much more than just their appraised value; they are ties to family histories and portals to precious memories. Our belongings don’t just belong to us, but in some ways are extensions of us. And as men, for better or worse, our successes and achievements are often connected to our possessions. 

We feel for those who have experienced devastating loss. While it is difficult for us to imagine the magnitude of their situation, give us empathetic hearts and genuine concern for their welfare. Whether a person had much or had little, when it is suddenly all stripped away, they are on equal footing. 

Provide for their needs. Cause avenues of generosity to pour out on their behalf. Guard them from being taken advantage of as they seek to put their lives back together. Band together communities of care and concern to take up their cause and be their advocates. Replace what can be replaced, while also letting faded or forgotten memories ease the sense of loss. 

Through all of this, open many eyes to the realization that Job had: you give and you take away; blessed is your name. May what has so suddenly been lost also serve as a reminder of how richly and generously you provided in the first place. Above all else, I pray that the loss of worldly belongings heightens appreciation for heavenly blessings and the spiritual riches that flow from them, which cannot perish, spoil, or fade away. Truly, those who have you have everything they need. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Extinguish the Wildfires

Almighty God,
Wildfires continue to burn around Southern California, leaving little more than embers and ash where homes and buildings used to stand. As the Lord who brought all of creation into existence with your mighty word, you also govern and direct all of nature. I boldly pray that you use whatever means necessary to bring the burning under control and extinguish the fires as swiftly as possible. Allow all who are still in the wildfires’ paths to safely evacuate and spare the loss of any more lives. 

Guard and protect all who are battling the flames, and provide them with access to every resource needed to carry out their work effectively. Still the winds and grant firefighters favorable conditions as they put their lives on the line. Give wisdom, discernment, and clear communication skills to those overseeing all firefighting and rescue efforts. 

While it appears to many that devastation and chaos are in control, through your clear intervention in this disaster, make it known that you are and always will be the one with all power and authority, reigning over all things and directing them for both your temporal and eternal purposes. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

A Gift for Everyone

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(1 Kings 10:1-9)

With Christmas now behind us, it’s probably time to start thinking about next year’s gifts. Wouldn’t Christmas shopping be so much easier if you could just get the same gift for everyone? Some are disgusted by such a thought, as they love the experience and challenge of finding the perfect gift for each person on their list. Others, though, would love the idea of a one-gift-fits-all solution. 

Of course it wouldn’t realistically work. Children don’t want the same types of gifts that adults would appreciate receiving. People have different likes and interests. And inevitably, there’s always one or two who already have the gift you got them. It’s a nice thought, but wishful thinking to imagine the same gift would work for everyone.

There is an exception, though: Epiphany. When we celebrate Epiphany, what we’re really celebrating is A Gift for Everyone. The Savior is for everyone, and the whole season of the church year known as the season of Epiphany (which means “revelation”), draws our attention to this truth and our role in making it known. 

When someone explains that they’ve had an epiphany regarding something, they aren’t saying anything about that thing or that experience itself changed, but rather that their perception or understanding of it is what has changed. Some revelation or unknown detail becomes known to them and now they look at it differently. 

So it is with Jesus. You already know who Jesus is. You already know what the Bible says about him. He hasn’t changed and won’t change. But what can change is our perception or understanding of him, so that we look at him differently. 

We notice this even within Christianity. One Christian is passionately engaged in church life or vocal and active in some ministry, while another is rather ho-hum about his faith in general, really kind of indifferent – could take it or leave it. What accounts for the difference? Has Jesus changed? Is he one type of Jesus for the one Christian but another type of Jesus for the other? 

No. Same Jesus. Just a different perception or understanding of him. Which description do you think God desires to apply to believers – the first or second type of Christian? Then let’s pray that, as we need it, the Spirit provides an epiphany and adjusts our perception of Jesus so that we embrace what it means that he is truly A Gift for Everyone.

The queen of Sheba had a certain perception of the Lord, which at least in part prompted her visit to Solomon. She wasn’t just star- struck by his fame; “his relationship to the Lord” also played a role in her curiosity. Was she, like the wise men who traveled to worship Jesus, interested in seeking out the true God, that she might worship him, too? It’s possible. However, as a powerful leader herself, she may also have been interested in the religious element from the standpoint of pursuing anything that might possibly work to her own benefit and advantage. If Solomon was truly as successful as the news about him indicated, then surely it wouldn’t hurt to look into the matter some more and see if there were some additional religious bases she could cover in hopes of replicating his success for herself. Wanting to do some investigating, she journeyed to Jerusalem with gifts in hand, preparing to “test Solomon with hard questions” (v.1) and “talk[ed] with him about all that she had on her mind” (v.2). 

Even the brightest among us today is light years apart from matching the wisdom or wealth of Solomon. We ought not hold our breath waiting for international visitors to pay us a visit and pepper us with penetrating questions to put our wisdom to the test. 

But you do have something in common with Solomon that will lead to questions from others: your “relationship to the Lord” (That assumes, of course, that others know about your relationship to the Lord because you don’t seek to keep it a secret. Or live a double-life that looks the part on Sundays while walking in-step with the world Monday-Saturday. Or avoid discussing it because you don’t wish to offend, turn off, or make others uncomfortable). 

But if you simply live out your calling as a Christian in an increasingly Christ-less society, you will stand out – and in a good way. And people will notice. And when people notice that something is different in a good way, they want to know why. So they ask questions. They will ask you questions.

How would Solomon respond to the Queen’s questions? Would he rise to the challenge? “Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her” (v.3). Solomon didn’t disappoint. The magnitude and magnificence of his kingdom left her “overwhelmed” (v.5) (the original literally means it took her breath away). In her own words, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard” (v.6-7). 

But as impressed as she was by Solomon and his kingdom, it was the conclusion she drew about it all that is noteworthy. She didn’t just fawn over him with flattery, like some love-struck or gold-digging pursuer might. Instead, she genuinely expressed what a blessing Solomon must have been to the people he ruled. And, even more shocking from a Gentile ruler, she lavished praise on the Lord! “How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness” (v.8-9). 

It would not be a stretch to conclude that when the queen departed after her visit with Solomon, she did so as a believer. Her own words certainly imply as much. Additionally, Jesus’ own words in the Gospel of Matthew could also be understood to support this. In chastising the Pharisees for asking him for a sign to back up who he was, Jesus said, “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here” (Mt. 12:42). Whether or not she ended up a believer, what is obvious about her time with Solomon is that God was glorified. So it may have been Solomon’s wisdom and wealth that initially captured her attention, it all worked out so that God ended up being the hero of Solomon’s story.

And that’s the goal when others come to us with their questions: we want to make God the hero of our story. Because he is. 

Stick with me on this thought for a moment, because working through it may be what provides a bit of an epiphany for some of you regarding your relationship to God. When others come to us with their questions, do you see that as an opportunity to make God the hero of our story? If it’s not, then let’s ask why. 

Could it be because you want people to know you for you and your accomplishments or reputation, and not to label or identify you by your faith or religious affiliation? Essentially then, you want to be the hero of your story, not God. If that is the case, your own pride will remain a wedge between where you are now and the epiphany that needs to take place for you to see who Jesus really is for you. 

Or, if making God the hero of your story isn’t your goal, is it because you’re ashamed of being associated with him by others? Do you feel it necessary to keep your belief in him on the down low because of the flack you’ll take for it? The Bible does have a warning or two for those who profess to be believers, but are ashamed of God or being associated with him. Is this the epiphany that needs to take place for you to see who Jesus really is for you?

Here’s the real kicker: if for either of those reasons or any other, we refuse to let God be the hero of our story, we are blatantly displaying this ugly reality: we don’t deserve him. We don’t. If God is an after thought in your life, if he’s way down on the totem pole, if he’s conveniently tucked away in your back pocket and hidden from others, you don’t deserve him. 

Honestly, what is your faith made of if you treat God like your dirty little secret that you don’t want anyone else to find out about? Is it really faith? Why bother hanging on to him by a thread any longer if that’s all he is to you? Just let him go and relieve yourself of the constant burden of having to keep him hidden from others. Some need to have an epiphany and see that this really is an alarming description of their current relationship with Jesus.

Solomon didn’t try to keep God hidden from the queen. In fact, he did quite the opposite. He made it known that the Lord was responsible for all of his blessings of wealth & wisdom. What conclusion do you suppose Sheba drew about how highly Solomon thought of the Lord based on what she witnessed of his worship? Remember that list that impressed her so much? Included in it was “the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord” (v.5). While the original there could also be taken as a reference to the impressive appearance of Solomon’s Temple, either way we interpret it, his worship of the Lord was evidently a priority. So during her visit, two things were obvious to Sheba: 1) how much the Lord meant to Solomon, and 2) how much Solomon meant to the Lord.

When others come to you with their questions, are those two things obvious? Can they tell how much the Lord means to you, and can they tell how much you mean to the Lord? When God is the hero of your story, they will.

And how can he be anything but the hero of our story? What do we have and what can we claim that isn’t from God? Physical blessings abound, but those are much further down the list than the spiritual blessings. My baptism serves as the adoption papers that I belong to God’s family – how much must I mean to the Lord?!? He regularly gives himself to me in Communion to ease my guilty conscience and refresh my worn out soul – how much must I mean to the Lord?!? Jesus’ birth took place so that he could be my Savior – how much must I mean to the Lord? He endure the shock and shame and beatings and the brutality of the cross for me – how much must I mean to the Lord? He defeated the one enemy who was literally capable of making my life an eternal hell – how much must I mean to the Lord? 

When all of this work of Jesus on my behalf plays over and over again in my heart and mind, my life will also clearly reflect how much the Lord means to me. I will jump at the opportunity to talk him up and brag about him. I will eagerly acknowledge to others that every good thing in my life – including the good he brings out of the bad – is from his loving hand. I will welcome the questions others have as a chance to bring my Savior into the conversation and make sure he is the hero of my story. Because he is. And when others come to see how much I treasure this gift of Jesus for everyone, they might come to treasure him as their gift, too.

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Keep My Evangelism Efforts Simple

Lord God,
When I am stuck or don’t know where to start in my witnessing efforts, keep me from overthinking it. Help me to keep it simple by always being curious. Every conversation is an open door to ask questions. Give me a genuine desire to be more interested in others than being interesting to others. Open my ears to listen for openings to ask thoughtful questions, then keep my ears open to stay focused on listening to the answers. In doing so, lay out clear paths to bring you into the conversation in ways that speak to the hearts of others. May these approaches lead to ongoing conversations in the future, providing your Spirit with as much time as necessary for my words and your Word to accomplish their saving purposes. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

The Perfect Gift for Getting the Job Done

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(Isaiah 50:4-9)

It’s a pretty common formula in movies: the main character or group is tasked with securing some desirable object or treasure either for themselves or on behalf of someone else. After overcoming obstacles and adversity from things like boobytraps, rivals, or villains, they eventually succeed in getting their hands on the object. However, getting their hands on it is only part of the job; the rest of the challenge is getting away with it and/or being able to get it to the person who requested it. If that doesn’t happen then the job was only half done. And half done isn’t good enough.

When we explain to others why Jesus’ birth is such a big deal in Christianity, it isn’t uncommon to offer the simple explanation that Jesus had to be born so that he could die on the cross to pay for our sins. And this is true. But if Jesus’ death was the only reason we understand that he had to be born as a man, then the job would be only half done. And half done isn’t good enough. 

Because if we just fast-forwarded to Jesus’ death, as if what happened between his birth and death didn’t matter, we would be missing a big part of what made his death so significant. In order for his death to matter, he had to be the perfect sacrifice. And in order to be the perfect sacrifice, he had to live perfectly, without any sin whatsoever. When later reflecting on Jesus’ life, that was exactly what Peter described:  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:18-20).

While the prophet Isaiah served seven centuries before Jesus’ birth, his words before are still serving us twenty centuries after Jesus’ birth! More than any other prophet, Isaiah delivered descriptive details that specified the Messiah with precision. God used Isaiah in a unique way at times in his ministry to speak as the Savior himself. We read Isaiah’s words, but we hear Jesus’ voice. The specificity and precision of Isaiah’s words don’t allow for us to take his words in any other way than as those of Jesus himself. And, since we have the added blessing of the New Testament as a historical cross reference, we can see through Isaiah’s writings when and how Jesus’ words and works were carried out. Through them, we have confidence that Jesus didn’t leave the job only half done, but flawlessly carried out the mission his Father entrusted to him and secured our salvation. 

As we consider the first portion of the verses from Isaiah 50, the Gospel this morning provides an excellent example. Through the written word of Isaiah, Jesus said, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears” (Is. 50:4-5a). Luke gives us a glance of Jesus’ “well-instructed tongue” in action as he dialogues with the religious leaders in the temple as a boy. He isn’t there merely as student, but as teacher, already at a young age enlightening all who would listen to his instruction. Even as a boy, Jesus knew “the word that sustains the weary.”

As the Gospels provide us with the narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry as an adult, we also see his dedicated love and commitment to his Father and the Word. He worshiped regularly, teaching in the synagogues as he was allowed. But even when he was no longer welcomed or invited to speak in the synagogues, that didn’t deter his teaching the Word of God. He delivered his Sermon on the Mount, he taught one-on-one, and he directly instructed his disciples repeatedly. He took one-on-one time with his Father in prayer and devotion. He honored God’s name through his unwavering commitment and dedication to Word and worship.

How desperately we need a Substitute Savior to do what we so often defer and even despise! How many Christians that belong to a local congregation did not set foot inside their church even once in 2024? What does that say about where God’s Word and worship rank in their lives, and ultimately, what they think of God? Do you know that there are some who belong to a local congregation who did set foot inside their church many times in 2024, but who might as well have been somewhere else, since their hearts and minds were filled wisth other priorities? Do you know there are those who belong to a local congregation who hardly ever crack open their Bibles and who pray sparingly, as if prayer was a paycheck and every day is like the end of the month? See how desperately we all need not just a Savior to pay for our disregard of Word and Worship, our failure to love God perfectly, but also a Savior to keep it perfectly for us!

Nor did he stop there. We also hear Jesus speak through the written word of Isaiah about his resolute determination to fully adhere to God’s command to obediently and perfectly love our neighbor. “I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (v. 5b-7). 

While we see these words most clearly fulfilled during the week of Jesus’ Passion, when he endured the suffering that led up to his crucifixion, by no means was it the only time Jesus kept his faithful obedience on track. He was constantly challenged throughout his ministry, questioned and tested, but never lost his composure or despised even his enemies, and always loved with a perfect love. And, even though Satan tried to deter him from following the path of obedience that led to Jerusalem and the cross, he was resolute in his determination to finish the job. Through all of this Jesus was fulfilling God’s command to perfectly love his neighbor.

How desperately we need a Substitute Savior to do what we on a daily basis fail miserably to do: lovingly obey, love our neighbors – including our enemies – and faithfully carry out our callings with resolute determination! Our obedience is often conditional: we’ll follow the rules so long as we agree with the rules, but they’re optional otherwise. Our love for others is also often conditional: we’ll love those who love us back or at least acknowledge or appreciate our efforts, but those who are negative or even just neutral sometimes are undeserving of our love. Our commitment and dedication are also often conditional: we’ll follow through, depending on what’s in it for us (assuming we also don’t get bored, sidetracked, or lose interest!). See how desperately we need a Substitute Savior to do what we on a daily basis fail miserably to do: lovingly obey, love our neighbors – including our enemies – and faithfully carry out our callings with resolute determination!

Jesus was so confident in his outward obedience because he knew nothing was hidden in his heart that would disqualify him from the perfection required as our Savior. “He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up” (v.8-9).

How desperately we need a Substitute Savior to do what we on a daily basis fail miserably to do: maintain perfect obedience not only externally, but from a pure and holy heart! Our Christian lives are so much like a poorly chosen gift that is dutifully wrapped. We get better at making sure the outside looks good, putting in much effort to come across as having our lives together, but once the outside wrapping comes off, what is revealed inside is exposed. Our minds think thoughts and our hearts entertain emotions and feelings that would clearly condemn us, but because we are able to keep our lips sealed and our outward actions inline, we fool even ourselves into thinking that we’re not half bad. But we are not like Jesus – Satan’s accusations stick when it comes to us, because we cannot hide from God what is inside. How desperately we need a Substitute Savior who had nothing to hide inside, because his heart alone was pure and holy. 

Jesus’ pure heart and absolute confidence gave Paul – and it gives us – the same confidence against the accuser, Satan, and any other accusers who would stand with him. Because of Jesus’ perfect record of obedience – externally and internally in the core of his pure heart – we express the same confidence: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Romans 8:1, 33-34).

As swiftly as time flies by, we’ll be into the season of Epiphany, which will usher in another Lent, where we will end up at the all-too-familiar place of the cross. Again we will stand in bewildered appreciation for our Savior who was willing to die as our perfect sacrifice. For our sins it was necessary for him to die.

But, for our righteousness it was necessary for him to live. Not one to leave the job half done and not good enough, appreciate that Jesus first carried out the important work of our salvation by being willing to live as our Substitute. As our celebration of Christmas continues, rejoice with double the joy, for the one born in Bethlehem was not born only to serve as our Sacrifice, but also our Substitute. This Gift of God, his Son, is truly the perfect and complete gift we all need this Christmas and for eternity. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Be Proactive in My Evangelism Efforts

Zealous Savior,
You call me to always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have (1 Peter 3:15). Indeed, I do want to be ready when such situations arise. But I also pray that you push me to be very deliberate in my witnessing efforts. As much as I want to be well-equipped and qualified to offer thoughtful responses about you and my faith in you when others have questions, stretch me to be more proactive. Help me identify openings in conversations that provide opportune times to bring you into the story. Let my faith flatten my fears and prompt me to be your bold ambassador. Protect me from my own passivity and generate in me a burning desire to evangelize and carry on the mantle of mission work that so many believers have faithfully fulfilled before me. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Joy of My Salvation to Prompt My Witnessing

Light of the World,
Today is known in the Church as the Festival of the Epiphany, sometimes referred to less formally as “Gentile Christmas.” Whatever label we attach to it, what we are celebrating is the revelation that you are the Savior of the whole world. During the season of Epiphany, as we follow your ministry from the beginning, we see highlights that clearly make known for us who you are and why you came.

If I am going to bear witness to your work of salvation for all people, it starts with firmly embracing this most profound truth: you are my Savior. Keep this joyful truth always before me, so that it serves as the lens through which I view everything else in life. That joy, that you are mine and I am yours because of your saving work, stirs my soul and spirit, filling me with the desire and drive to make you known to others. I want to be your witness, so spur me on in that work with ongoing reminders of the joy I live in because you are my Savior.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.