O Lord, I Gove My Life To You, I Trust In You, My God!
SUNDAY, October 4
Psalm 25:1-9
The irony wasn’t lost on me when the question came from my little boy strapped in his car seat in the back of my car. My four-year-old simply asked, “Where are we going now, Momma?” I responded that we were heading home. “But home is that way, Momma,” he said, pointing the opposite direction of where I was driving. We had just moved to eastern Massachusetts, where the roads can be confusing, to put it mildly. Main Street in Whitfield becomes Spring Street once you cross the city limits. If you go a bit further, it becomes Route 16 once it crosses over into the next small town. You get the idea.
How ironic that this child, whose life was in my hands, was more certain of the road to travel than his parent. I had to swallow my “mom pride” and thank my son for his great directional skills. As parents, my husband and I had to remind one another that although we weren’t perfect, we did trust God to lead us in child-rearing. Our heavenly Father has shown us that when we are open to others, we can learn from one another—even from four-year-olds.
Prayer
Lord, remind me daily that you lead the humble in doing right, teaching us your way. May my ears and my spirit be attentive to listen to all small voices. Amen.
He Will Show The Path They Should Choose
Monday, October 5
Psalm 25:10-22
Psalm 25 is an acrostic poem, meaning that each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I wonder whether David chose this pattern because it’s a familiar path through the alphabet. There is something reassuring about familiar patterns. At times I have driven home without thinking; I’m on autopilot because the road is familiar to me.
Unlike the road home, the events of a new day are unknown to me. I have learned to remember whose guidance I need before I tackle the day ahead. When I rush ahead without first turning my heart toward the Lord, I often find myself unsettled and off course. That is why the words of this psalm have become such a powerful prayer for me: “Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose” (v. 12, NLT). There is deep peace in placing the day into his hands, trusting that he will lead me and remain with me through whatever lies ahead.
Prayer
Lord, each day, may I give my thoughts, words, and choices over into your capable hands. “May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you” (v. 21). Amen.
It Is Better That I Continue To Live
Tuesday, October 6
Philippians 1:21-26
In today’s passage Paul emphasizes the importance of bringing honor to Christ while we are alive. From prison, Paul longs to be with Christ in heaven, yet he admits that it would be better if he were to live.
A family friend, Maria, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her thirties. Maria and her husband, Gary, had two young children when they received her diagnosis. Through it all, she focused on praying for her family. As MS ravaged her body further, she prayed. From her wheelchair, she prayed. Despite her fatigue and frustration, she prayed. Even after her limbs stopped cooperating, she prayed. Gary told us how he was amazed and encouraged by her tenacity. “Her prayers do much for our family, God is good to us,” he would say. As in Paul’s letter to his friends in Phillippi, the Lord determined that it was better for Maria’s family that she remain with them.
Prayer
Lord, may our focus be not on our own circumstances but on your wisdom to give us life. Help us to share the good news with the people we encounter through our example and our joy in all circumstances. Amen.
Live As Citizens Of Heaven
Wednesday, October 7
Philippians 1:27-30
Paul’s message to the Philippians is clear: stand together as believers and strive for unity in your faith in Christ. He goes on to say, “You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him” (v. 29).
One of the benefits of aging is to look back and see how God has worked in my life. God has used seasons of suffering to prune aspects of my personality. God has also used times of pain and loss to teach me to depend on him.
Paul urged believers to support one another during difficult times. When my father died, many people attended the funeral and spoke of the impact he made in their lives. I was comforted to know that others would miss him too. Friends and family called and wrote to me for months after Dad died, reassuring me that they cared and that Dad was no longer experiencing pain.
Prayer
Dear God, remind me that I am never alone. Help me to see the suffering of others so that I may offer the same comfort that you have abundantly provided for me. Amen.
Serving Others Like Jesus Did
Thursday, October 8
Matthew 20:20-28
A woman had decided to attend our church. As my husband, the sole pastor, welcomed her, she made it clear that she was friends with many pastors and knew how churches should be run. Within a short time, she was volunteering to serve on the church council, saying her gifts would be best used in managing decisions rather than other areas of ministry. Volunteers were hurt and confused by her brash comments.
My husband continued to collaborate with her, listening and affirming where he could, but eventually she grew dissatisfied with him too, and lies about our family began to circulate. A brief time later, God called my husband to a different parish.
Throughout that season, I learned that even when the odds seem stacked against you, we can focus on being as much like Jesus as we can.
Prayer
Lord, help me to bless those who are hurting and to be more like Jesus. Amen.
Be Humble
Friday, October 9
Philippians 2:1-11
The summer after my freshman year at Ohio State University I had an ominous feeling as I waited for my grades to arrive in the mail. Taking tests had come easy to me throughout high school, so I assumed college would be the same. Then I encountered Calculus 3.
My grades were decent except for that class. I barely passed with a D. My parents were gravely disappointed. I felt ashamed.
Fortunately, Ohio State had a “Freshman Forgiveness Rule,” which meant I could retake the course and substitute the new grade for the failing (or nearly failing) grade. A few weeks later, I was back in Calculus 3. I arrived early and sat in the front row. I worked and reworked the homework problems. I called my cousin, an engineering student, when I needed a tutor. I spent my lunch hour of my summer job studying. At the end of a very humbling summer, I received my grade in the mail: A–. A little humility and my university’s forgiveness rule went a long way!
Prayer
Father, help us to remember that we are your children and we need your help with all things. In those moments when we are confident of our ability, remind us that it is you who gives us each opportunity and ability. Amen.
Shine Brightly For Christ
Saturday, October 10
Philippians 2:12-18
In today’s passage Paul commends the Philippian believers for following his instructions when he was with them. He adds, “And now that I am away, it is even more important” (v. 12, NLT). That small sentence does seem like an afterthought. Why would it matter more once he was gone?
Paul instructed the Philippian believers to obey God with deep reverence. He encouraged them to shine like “bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (v. 15, NLT).
We live in that same world—selfish desires prevail, and God is forgotten. Perhaps Paul meant that obedience matters even more in his absence because it reflects on Christ’s church, and on how believers treat one another.
Prayer
God, thank you for your word that gives our life meaning and purpose. May we seek you in all that we do, think, and speak. Amen.
