Matthew 2

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.

Out of Egypt I called my son.

he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.  So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Lord Jesus, I love you and need you.

Matthew 1

The genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham....

I don't know all those names, but I recognize many of them in the Lord's genealogy: Boaz, Ruth, Rahab, Jesse, David, Uriah's wife, Joseph/Mary, and I see that God uses all types of people, both the likely and unlikely.  He uses the rich and royal as well as the lowly.  He works through holiness, as well as in the midst of the ugliest of sin.

And then Joseph, attentive to the call of the Spirit, takes the impregnated Mary as his wife and loves her child as his own.

Lord, help me remember that you work through all types of people, and you work all things for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose.  Use me.  Forgive me.  Give me your heart.  Let me be as attentive to your Word and the Spirit's call as Joseph was.  Amen.

Proverbs 31

v. 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

v. 29 Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Lord God, give me a heart to protect the vulnerable.  Give me a heart to speak up for the marginalized.  Take my eyes off of me.  Help me Jesus.

Thank you for my wife.  She is a woman of noble character, and I take the blessing she is to me and our family for granted.  She is an incredible gift to us and to the world.  Thank you Father for her.  Amen.

Proverbs 30

v. 8-9 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.

Father, that's a pretty good prayer right there.  Not much I want to add to that other than to say thank you for being a good God who provides so abundantly.  Give me a heart of gratitude.  Amen.

Proverbs 29

v.7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Lord Jesus, give me a heart for all your people.  Give me a heart that is generous and concerned for those who have less.  Help me to see outside of myself in all I do, to care for the downtrodden and broken.  Amen.

Proverbs 28

v. 1, 18 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

Father, I love you.  I need you to focus me on you, on righteousness and on holiness.  Keep my walk blameless.  Thank you Jesus for being blameless for me.  I can't do it -- I so desperately need you.  Let me feel the warmth of your love.  Make me bold as a lion because of your great love and care for me.  Amen.

Proverbs 27

v. 19 As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.

Lord Jesus, my life reflects my heart.  My life is not perfect, it's not even close.  My heart is ugly.  Cleanse me, make me new.  Help me recapture the joy of being yours.  I am capable, I am competent. I am rarely joyful.  Fill my heart with your joy, and let my joy flow over to others.  Amen.