Talking about Jesus

Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long. ~ Psalm 35:28 (NLT)

Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night. Standing there at that time, she thanked God and spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem. ~ Luke 2:37b-38 (CEV)

Dear Lord, you are righteous and just. You deserve all honor and recognition for your kindness.

THANKS: Thank you for keeping your promises. I'm eager for you to make things right in this troubled world.

REGRETS: Sometimes I'm shy when it comes to talking about you. I'm afraid that I will say the wrong thing.

INTERCESSION: Through the Holy Spirit give me the right words to say and the sensitivity for when to say them. 

PURPOSE: I want to talk about Jesus to whoever will listen.

Amen.

Patient faith

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Later the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision, “Abram, don’t be afraid! I will protect you and reward you greatly.” ~ Genesis 15:1 (CEV)

Abraham was patient while he waited. Then he received what God promised him. ~ Hebrews 6:15 (NIRV)

Lord, just as you have protected Abram and all the great parents of our faith, so do you continue to protect your people today. Thank you for keeping watch over me. Sometimes I'm afraid for what might happen to me. I don't want to wait. I want easy and quick solutions to the challenges I face.  So, Lord, I am asking for more patience. I want to receive the reward that comes from trusting you over time. Amen.

Love, honor, hope, and no shame

You who honor the Lord, trust in the Lord! ~ Psalm 115:11a (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)

Lord,

THANKS: Thank you for loving me. Your love is more powerful than all the shame in my life. You give me hope.

REGRETS: I struggle, though, with disappointment. I'm not important enough to enhance the reputation of my family. I have not made enough of my life to help them. That's a struggle. But it is an unfounded struggle. 

INTERCESSION: Free me from looking for approval in all the wrong places. Through the touch of your Holy Spirit help me to see that I am genuinely loved and am important to you.

PURPOSE: I'm not going to worry about how much honor and recognition I receive in life. Instead I will put my energy into honoring you. You deserve all honor and glory and praise!

Amen.

The body of Christ

They will be my people, and I will be their God, faithful to bring about justice. ~ Zechariah 8:8b (CEV)

Christ is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning. He is the first to be raised from the dead. ~ Colossians 1:18a (NIRV)

Thank you, Lord, for including us in the body of Christ -- your new people constituted through the resurrection. As a member of your body I intend to live according to the new resurrection life -- even now before the resurrection has happened. I want to be a part of your new order -- a new way of doing things as defined by your justice. I do not always live consistently with this desire but it is still my intention. I'm counting on you to renew my life even further so that when people look at me they start to see Jesus. Amen.