John 20:6-9

Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) - John 20:6-9

Dear Jesus,

How graciously and lovingly you condescended to give your first followers what they needed to believe that you had risen from the dead.  What they witnessed coupled with your prophetic word rose up to give them a foundation for faith that saved their eternal souls.  It does the same for me.  Because they witnessed your resurrection and reminded us of the Old Testament promises, I believe that you have saved me and all people from the terrors of death and hell.  I'm going to survive these troubles in my life and live on forever because you rose from the dead.  Help me to proclaim your rescue to the people I know who are still living as if this world with all its fatalities is all there is.  Give me the courage and creativity to give them your hope that has become my hope. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Christians live in an eternal morning filled with hope of a new day. 

John 19:28-30

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:28-30

Dear Jesus,

Your bucket list was to live and die for all of us.  You had no ambitions to exploit this temporal world for your own entertainment.  You were 100% committed to finishing your life without succumbing to one temptation no matter how hard it was or how good the temptation looked.  You wanted only to fulfill Scripture so we could find you for ages on the pages of your word.  You wanted to settle the score for every human that would ever live.  You wanted to save the world!  And so, what a triumphant cry it was for you to say, "It is finished!"  I on the other hand will die with regrets about unfinished projects, un-repaired relationships, unfulfilled dreams and wasted moments that I can never get back.  I find great peace in knowing that your finished life envelopes my incomplete sojourn.  Thank you for giving me the freedom to live my life for others without grieving too much over my losses. 

Amen

Pastor Don Donald Patterson

Jesus died without regret so we'd have a place to hide ours!

Additional Reading: 2 Timothy 1 

John 19:7-11

The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” - John 19:7-11

Dear Jesus,

Oh how precisely you penetrated Pilate's heart.  In his angst over being manipulated by the Jews to act against his conscience, he vented on you that he had power to release or execute you.  He was scrambling to be respected by someone, anyone, even his victim, But what he needed was to be looking for the power to do the right thing.  But alas, sinner that he was (like me) he was a failure.  You pointed out the lie he believed that he had autonomous authority.  You reminded him that he had a responsibility to God for how he ruled.  Then you helped him see that there was a difference between Caiaphas and him.  Pilate was guilty of sin, but not the sin of hate, envy and murder.  He was guilty of mitigating justice for personal preservation.  Pilate wanted to release you, Jesus, and said he had the authority to do it.  But he didn't have the selfless guts to do it.  Caiaphas was on a rampage of hate and paranoia.  Pilate was just being a selfish coward.  Both were damming sins but they were not the same.  You wanted Pilate to know that you knew his sin better than he did.  You came to redeem him from his sin but you were not like the devil, pointing it out bring him down.  You were pointing it out to rescue him from it through grace, a grace you were paying for with your willing suffering at Pilate's own hands, even at this moment the blood was dripping off you brow and back.  Oh, the depths of the riches of your grace.  Pilate didn't listen to your confrontational invitation to believe in you.  But I am listening.  I know you know my sins better than I do.  I know you don't blame me for other's sins.  You confront me about mine so I will turn myself in for grace.  Here I am.  Wash me in your love. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

All true spirituality revolves around honesty about ourselves and honesty about Jesus.  

John 18:26-27

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. - John 18:26-27

Dear Jesus,

How patiently and lovingly you gave Peter the rooster as a lifetime reminder that he needed your grace!  You would always forgive him for his sin.  But he needed a tether to bring him back day after day.  So, every evening and morning when he would hear the rooster crow, he would remember his sin and his need for grace. The rooster also reminded him that your grace was his.  It was the perfect ministry of salvation for his soul too oft to wander.  You have placed some things in my life that I experience through the five senses that remind me of your word and grace every day too.  They create small quiet moments of reflection between you and me that no one else shares.  They remind me of my failures and of your mercy.  They drive me to feed on the table of your grace.  And when the moment of reflection is over, I'm left comforted and content in your arms. Thank you for the 'roosters" in my life.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God loves every sinner too much to let them wander without roosters to call them back to his Son.  

John 18:4-6

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. - John 18:4-6

Dear Jesus,

How perfectly you laid out the stage for your persecutors to come to faith later. They would look back on the day they thought they had control to kill you and feel so guilty for their deliberate sin. Then Satan would come and whisper, "You could never be forgiven. Your sin was too deliberate, too treacherous." But then they would remember how you threw them to the ground by turning yourself in. They would know that you had chosen to die for them too. They would learn to trust your unconditional love. I see that you laid the stage for my grace and faith too. I've learned by watching you knock them to the ground, that you turned yourself in for my treacherous sins too. I cannot believe the lie that my sin is too grievous to be forgiven. Your willing sacrifice for grievous sinners covers all my sins, even the worst, even the latest. Thank you for your overwhelming love. Give me the power through faith in you to reflect this same love to those who would betray, ignore and persecute me. Help me show them who you are by how I still love them even though they hurt me or let me down.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Love that sees the sin coming and forgives in advance is the truest kind.

John 15:16-17

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. - John 15:16-17

Dear Jesus,

Help me to keep in mind today that one of the supreme fruits you seek from my life is that would have demonstrative love for other believers. Give me the faith in your words that makes me own the believers in my church as my own dear family. Help me fight he urge to withdraw from them. While we are sheltered at home, give me creative ways to reach out to them to bless and encourage. Help me see over the fence of my own problems and pursuits to notice if one of them is struggling or needs my help. Then, give me the supernatural strength to meet their need or to network with others to fill their lives with good things from our family of faith.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Jesus' people are blood relatives through their connection to Christ.

Additional Reading: 1 John 3,4,5

John 15:1-4

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. - John 15:1-4

Dear Jesus,

You are the vine that feeds my life grace, truth and peace.  When I stay connected to you by reading and meditating on your word, I feel the power to love people around me in unique and powerful ways.  But when I stop feeding on your words, I soon dry up spiritually and am reduced to anxiety, crabbiness and selfish motives.  I've also noticed another thing: I get surprised by hardships our heavenly Father sends my way and at first I want to complain and sulk.  But if I am feeding on your word, I can even find joy in loving another person who seemed to be an interruption to my life of tranquility.  I feel the pruning deeply and am coming to appreciate that the divine gardener is always up to something good even if it means my own pain.  I will remain in you through devotion to your word, while the Father decides how much to cut back in order to make me bear the fruit he wants to last.  Teach me oh Savior, to live in the same fruit bearing love that you did. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

The only way to love others like they need it, is to be loved like you need it.  

John 14:23-27

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will treasure my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not treasure my words. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.- John 14:23-27

Dear Jesus,

I now know just how common and natural it is for me to want to see you in order to believe.  Your disciples asked the same question.  Your answer is so helpful.  You and the Father want to be experienced through the word you share.  You want that word to bring peace that comes from all the promises you make there.  You want that word to bring reconciliation between us.  You want that word to be what I treasure.  Jesus, I do treasure your words; your words about grace, your words about hope, your words about life.  When I think about your words, there is a warm glow in my heart.  It reminds me of when those two disciples had their hearts burning within them when they walked with you while you explained the Scriptures to them.  I see you in your word and like Abraham, I believe your word over my circumstances.  (In regard to the promise of the conception of a child to come.) I have peace in my heart that everything in my life will ultimately turn out for good. So, give me the strength today to lead my heart to peace instead of following as it traipses through all it's anxieties. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

If you want to know God personally, learn to treasure his word intimately.

Additional Reading: Genesis 15 and Romans 4

John 12:24-26

24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. - John 12:24-26

Dear Jesus,

As you life goes, so goes mine. You give me the meaning of both our lives. I'm here to lose myself in serving. I'm not here to serve and be preserved. I'm here to give it all up for the benefit of others. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I find joy in serving and dying to self even in the hard ways. Don't let me shrink back or quit from jobs you have given me just because they bring stress. Make me a servant and use my life to produce the fruit you want now and after I have taken my seat in heaven. When my life is over, take what i have done and make it keep on producing good for people long after I am gone. That's what your short life does for me. You gave it up and it still does the greatest things on this planet.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

The measure of your life is how it was spent not how it was saved.

John 11:25-27

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”- John 11:25-27

Dear Jesus,

There was hardly a sweeter exchange in all of Scripture. Her heart was broken. Her brother was dead. She knew you could have prevented it. She hoped you'd bring him back. You had come to do just that, but more importantly (how could it feel for her that there was a "more importantly") you wanted her to know that you had come to give eternal life. You wanted her to live in hope. ... and she did! She confessed her faith in you and your greater plan. Even with such great faith, she still lived in the tribulation of great loss. I do to. I believe you are the Christ come into the world to give me rescue from here. But I still struggle to deal with disappointment and loss. Help me to live in the peace and hope of your precious promises. You have created a door to heaven for me. It stands at the end of my journey and gives me strength to keep going. Thank you for living with us for a time so we could live with you for all time.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Faith brings peace. Doubt brings darkness. Don't rest until the peace comes.

John 10:9

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be safe. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  - John 10:9


Dear Jesus,

People misunderstand this passage because it is so close to the ones where you call us sheep and name yourself the Good Shepherd.  This passage is not talking about sheep but about those men and women who would call themselves shepherds for others.  If they do not come into our lives through you, the gate (you tell us) then they are not honest shepherds and they are not worthy of us following them out to pasture.  You are the litmus test of all true spiritual leaders.  Do they live by you and the grace you brought for all human kind or do they live for morality alone, or discipleship alone, or religious music alone, or for prayer alone, or for any other idea over the idea that you are our Savior of all people.  The rescue of humanity in Christ is the beating heart of all true shepherds.  So, dear Jesus, lead all pastors, parents, elders and Bible teachers to enter by you and your grace.  Make them Christ centered so that they find pasture for your sheep, so they give them good food for their souls, pasture that changes their lives not by law but by gospel, pasture that does not promise only temporal rewards but promises an inheritance that never spoils or fades, pasture that invites, encourages, lifts up, and changes the way people think deep in the core of their inner being.  Give us good shepherds under you, dear Jesus.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Jesus came to become the central figure in everyone's soul.  Don't accept anything less from him. 
 

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

Dear Jesus,

I love how you talked about being the light that we follow just like your ancient people followed your Father's cloud and pillar of fire during their wondering in the wilderness. Since you said these words at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles that commemorates this phenomenon, I can see why you used the imagery. Your Father was the nightlight for your people, reassuring them of his presence during their struggles on earth. You are now the fulfillment of the picture. You are our nightlight. So much about my life can seem dark, such as guilt, shame, regret, disappointment and fear. But you and your mercy step in and I feel safe and loved. I have light in your gospel that assures me of your gracious presence in my life. I have the light of hope and peace too. In the light of your love you lead me to impact others and I follow you even into challenging moments in relationships. You are my light and I will follow you where you lead me today.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

When Jesus Christ is in your life, you always have a warm glow on which to depend.

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:41-42

Dear Jesus,

Things keep breaking. I keep getting bad news. People keep needing help. I keep forgetting things. I suffer from miscommunication. Some is my own. Some belongs to others. There are delays on the one hand and deadlines on another. Disappointment and sorrow loom. I hear you saying to Martha, "Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things but Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." I want that better part. When I rest at your feet, listening to your word, I find the escape that comes at no cost. It settles me and gives me joy and hope. It's your good word and your good news. In that quiet place teach me what I need to know to be happy while I get up and go out to live in the soup. Be my peace and my guide, Lord Jesus.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Life is like a bowl of soup, lots of random pieces all thrown together until Jesus brings just the right seasoning. Then it all comes together and tastes swell.

John 5:3-6

At the pool of Bethesda a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?" - John 5:3-6

Dear Jesus,

I wonder what made you pick that guy out of all the sick and lame people that day. What made you relieve him of suffering while you left others to struggle? I wonder the same today. What makes you choose to rescue one and not another? You have taught me that earthly struggles all play a role in our grand struggle and rescue. If I demand to know why you choose to help one and not another in a single moment, I will miss the point that you really have rescued everyone. But I still cannot overlook the fact that you chose me to know you and salvation. You chose me, to give me the Holy Spirit who makes me understand the meaning of life in the context of grace. You chose me to be healed of guilt and blame. You chose me to the recipient of grace! I don't have to understand why you chose me. I'm just grateful for the grace full you have poured out on me. Yes, I want to get well. I want to be healed of my otherwise hopeless life. Thank you for rescuing me of all people. I will live by faith today and will choose to love others the way you have loved me.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Live grateful of the grace full you have received from Christ.

John 4:21-24

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” - John 4:21-24

Dear Jesus,

She tried to divert you and focus on outward worship. You sidestepped her and made her ask herself if she really worshiped in her heart at all. You have sidestepped all my walls too. I have to ask myself if I truly worship your Father and you because I believe you are there and that you love me, sinner that I am. Or do I just go through the motions. While I cannot gather at my church for public worship I am left alone to ask if I really do think the world of you all by myself. I know I'm a sinner. And I do know that you love sinners. I believe you love me, sinner that I am and I believe you rescued me by trading your life for mine. I truly worship you in my heart. Thanks for saving me. Help me to live as a saved person and not reflect the emptiness of my old sinful ways of thinking. Give me the peace that transcends the present struggles in my life.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Worship in the heart cannot be hidden in the life.

John 2:3-10

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” - John 2:3-10

Dear Jesus,

You told Mary she had crossed the line and then you gave her what she asked. I will spend all day thinking about that. She trusted that once she had told you, she would be able to accept your answer. I will think about that a lot too. When I see her prayer, your response and her repose, I learn the nature of prayer. I learn to ask indiscriminately and to accept your answer without judgment too. I trust you will handle my prayers with grace even if you see me ask too much or for the wrong thing. I feel safe praying to you after I read the wedding story. Thank you for being my gracious Savior who leads me into truth while I am just trying to get by.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Pray to God about everything. Let him sort it out. But learn to pray to him about his main things too.

John 1:47-51

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’the Son of Man.” - John 1:47-51

Dear Jesus,

You saw how ardently Nathanael pursued a relationship with God, your father, as he meditated on truth and honestly tried to deal with his sin. He must have been exhausted by his concentrated effort. But then he heard the words of grace as you reminded him that you were the gracious God who forgave Jacob of his deceit. Nathaniel was introduced to grace, the only path to your father. He called you the Son of God. You called yourself the Son of Man. You revealed your two natures and your saving work, all in a dialogue with a soul. You have done the same for my soul. I believe you are God and man come to give me grace. But I also want to be good but in order to honor your gift not earn it. Thank you for being gracious to all of us.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God's angels surround all who trust in him. Don't forget to live with that confidence.

Proverbs 14:10

Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy. - Proverbs 14:10

Dear Heavenly Father,

There are times when I experience deep feelings of disappointment toward people I had hoped would walk close to me in life but who seemed out of touch with my emotions and even uninterested in trying to figure me out. Here you tell me that it's the way of life on earth. I have an "alone" road to walk. Knowing that you see this, understand this, and love me through this, - helps me immensely. In one way, I get to have a unique experience that no one can invade. You created me and you know all my thoughts. You "get me" even when I don't get myself. I know your Son, Jesus, understands this alone-ness because he felt alone as your perfect Son when when he walked here with us. So, I have him also as an understanding friend. I repent of expecting too much from people. I forgive them for not being with me in every feeling and emotion I have. And I commit myself to being the best friend I can be for them. Thank you for giving me a path to walk that is uniquely mine. I will work hard to make the best out of it, trusting that you graciously accept my efforts.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Alone-ness will only be loneliness if you make it so.

Additional Reading: Psalm 139

Luke 24:30-32

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” - Luke 24:30-32

Dear Jesus,

Ever since Adam and Eve hid from you when you came to walk with them, you have longed to restore your friendship with humanity. Once you had removed the wall of guilt between us you went for a walk with people. It's what you love to do with us. Those two fellows had the time of their life with you on that walk to Emmaus. But you had a great time too. You got to open their hearts to meet you and your Father in the word. I love hearing about them "getting it." "Did not our hearts burn within us." they said. I want that warm feeling every day. I want to have fellowship with you by having you speak to me through your word. Bring to mind Scriptures today that you want me to have. Help me understand them, to believe them and to let them change my life. Walk with me today, Lord Jesus.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Take a walk with God in the word today. You won't regret the time.

Matthew 26:26-28

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. - Matthew 26:26-28

Dear Jesus,

You held up the cup that night and said, "This is my blood of the New Covenant." I'm so glad you and the Father made a new covenant of forgiveness rather than keeping me under the old law covenant. Now, my relationship with you is safe from me.  I can't fail my way out of this covenant. It's all based on your unconditional grace. I'm safe with you.  So are my loved ones.  Your Lord's Supper is the constant reminder that I'm a member of your grace family.  Thank you for such a simple profound gift.  I can't wait until COVID 19 is over and I can safely commune with my loved ones. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

The Lord's Supper does much more for us than we normally understand.