Angels

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. ~ Psalm 91:11-12 (NLT)

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. ~ Hebrews 1:14 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God uses angels to care for us.

PRAYER:

God, I admit it -- I don't think about angels too often. Although, I am guessing that they have to work overtime to keep me safe. But maybe the angels are mostly interested in focusing all the attention back on you -- the source of the care and protection. Thank you for sending them! Amen!

Look to Jesus for wisdom

This also comes from the Lord of heavenly forces, who gives wondrous counsel and increases wisdom. ~ Isaiah 28:29 (CEB)

Jesus replied, "You surely know that the Scriptures say, 'The stone that the builders tossed aside is now the most important stone of all...'" ~ Matthew 21:42 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Even though Jesus has been rejected, look to him for the kind of wisdom that changes everything.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sending Jesus to reveal your wisdom to us. I want to acknowledge that though I trust him a lot there are still things about his wisdom which seem too hard. In that sense I'm like the builders who have rejected the cornerstone. Renew my heart and perspective so that I can fully embrace the wisdom of my Savior. I'm going to go deeper. Amen.

Forgiven

Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord. We have turned our backs on our God. ~ Isaiah 59:12b-13a (NLT)

But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. ~ 1 John 1:9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We can trust the Lord to be merciful.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are consistently merciful and kind. You do understand what is actually going on in my life. I acknowledge that I am an unworthy sinner in need of your mercy and forgiveness. I need to and want to change. Apart from you and your forgiveness that change will not happen. I am going to put my faith in you. Amen.

Honor

Boaz said to Ruth, "May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done." ~ Ruth 2:12 (NLT)

Paul wrote: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. ~ Romans 16:1-2 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Those who honor the Lord with their lives should be honored, too.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the models of faith -- especially the women whom we too often overlook. Help us to become like them and to stop giving our attention to the people who look like stars to the rest of society. I'm going to honor those whom you honor. Amen.