Gracious

Someone else may say to you, “Let’s worship other gods.” That person may be your best friend, your brother or sister, your son or daughter, or your own dear wife or husband. But you must not listen to people who say such things. ~ Deuteronomy 13:6-8 (CEV)

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. ~ Galatians 6:1 (MSG)

Lord, you have your standards -- but you also have understanding and grace. You are the only God worthy of worship and attention. Help me to be as gracious as you. I want to be the person who gently helps others do the right thing. Amen.

Master over all

The deepest places on earth are his, and the highest mountains belong to him. ~ Psalm 95:4 (NCV)

The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. ~ Acts 17:24 (MSG)

Heavenly Father, you are above it all. You are the master of everything and you need nothing. Yet, in your love you sent your Son Christ Jesus live with us and save us. As someone who is trying to follow you, I am eternally grateful. I confess that sometimes I treat you like a cosmic FedEx delivery guy. You don't need us but we need you and we are inclined to take undo advantage of your generosity. I make it all about me instead of you. But I want that to change. I start by once again acknowledging that you are the God who made the world and everything in it. Amen.

Big shoulders

Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. ~ Psalm 55:22 (MSG)

Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. ~ Philippians 4:6 (CEB)

Lord,

THANKS: I grateful for your big shoulders.

REGRETS: I'm sorry that I don't always release my anxieties to you. I mistakenly think that I'm so special that I can carry all my own problems.

INTERCESSION: Lord, I am giving you my problems right now -- even the problems I don't understand.

PURPOSE: I'm going to live without anxiety because my problems are no longer my own. You have taken them onto your shoulders. I'm not planning to take them back from you.

Amen.

Visible to all

All the ends of the earth have seen God’s power to save. ~ Psalm 98:3b (NCV)

Then Jesus said to them, “Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand. ~ Mark 4:21 (NCV)

It's pretty clear, Lord, that your message isn't hidden and secretly kept for an elite group. You want the whole world to see what you are up to. And in an opaque age of hidden conspiracy theories and secret schemes, your global transparency is refreshing. It doesn't make sense, then, that I keep so many secrets. Sometimes it makes me feel extra special knowing that I have your truth in my back pocket and so much of the world is so clueless. Help me to get with your program. I want to make sure that your light shines to the world. And, please, start with me. I'm going take my Jesus light out of my pocket and I'm going to put it on a lampstand to make light for all. Amen.