The Spirit

THE 4th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

My spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear. ~ Haggai 2:5b (CEB)

This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:5 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God has sent his Spirit to live among us, therefore...

PRAYER:

I'm so grateful, God, that you have not abandoned me. I can sense that your Spirit is here and at work. That is true at least some of the time. And when I read your promises in scripture, I feel confident most of the time. Help me to let down my guard enough to see him the rest of the time. I'm going to live without fear. Amen.

Troubling times

It seems it was good for me to go through all those troubles. Throughout them all you held tight to my lifeline. You never let me tumble over the edge into nothing. But my sins you let go of, threw them over your shoulder—good riddance! ~ Isaiah 38:17 (MSG)

God our Father loves us. He is kind and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father will encourage you and help you always to do and say the right thing. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Our God gets us through the troubling times.

PRAYER:

Thank you for being here for me, Lord. Sometimes I ignore your presence and let fear take over. I become afraid that I'm going to fall into a deep hole out of which I can't climb. Comfort me. Love me. Encourage me to trust you more -- especially when trouble comes my way. I'm going to confidently move forward acting and talking like someone who really does trust you. Amen.

Forgiven

He was wounded and crushed because of our sins... ~ Isaiah 53:5a (CEV)

Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. ~ 1 John 4:10 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God loves us so much that he sacrificed to save us from ourselves.

PRAYER:

Lord, there is no way that I can appropriately express gratitude for the self-sacrifice of your Son Jesus. You really do love us -- even though we continue to sin. Keep on saving me from my sins and sinfulness. Even though I give up too easily I am counting on you to not give up on me. As I grow I am going to live into the love and forgiveness that I have received. Amen.

All people

Our God, be kind and bless us! Be pleased and smile. Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see your power to save us. ~ Psalm 67:1-2 (CEV)

By what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth. ~ Ephesians 1:9-10

KEY IDEA:

God's plan is to show his kindness to all people everywhere -- and all his creation.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, that in the midst of our rebellion and selfishness, you continue to love us beyond our ability to comprehend. This is a mystery too deep for us to believe. Forgive us when we forget that your saving power is for all nations. Lead us to share this good news so all will know Jesus. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)