Jesus, the suffering servant

And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for he will bear all their sins. ~ Isaiah 53:11 (NLT)

For the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people. ~ Mark 10:45 (CEB)

KEY IDEA: Jesus served us by sacrificing his life to liberate us.

Lord, thank you for sacrificing your life so that we can live in freedom. Forgive me for not taking full advantage of that freedom -- and for even abusing it. Help me to exercise my freedom in a way that mimics your service. I want to be like you so that when people see me they are drawn to you. Amen.

Faithful God

All Saints Day

For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them. ~ Psalm 109:31 (NLT)

Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. ~ Hebrews 2:11

KEY IDEA: Jesus cares for us as loyal brothers and sisters advocate for each other.

Lord,

THANKS: Thank you for sticking closer than a faithful brother. 

REGRETS: But I still panic when trouble comes. I feel like I have to work out solutions. And not all those solutions are healthy or consistent with your agenda or way of doing things.

INTERCESSION: Please continue to remind me of your faithfulness so I can be calm and make wise decisions.

PURPOSE: I'm going to rely on you to be there for me.

Amen.

God is here to help

Sing, people of Zion! Celebrate the greatness of the holy Lord of Israel. God is here to help you. ~ Isaiah 12:6 (CEV)

If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? ~ Romans 8:32 (MSG)

KEY IDEA: God became one of us and one with us so that he could help us.

Great and holy Lord, there is a lot about you to celebrate. Most of all I am thankful that you sacrificed your one and only Son in order to repair the broken relationship we've had with you. It wasn't your problem but you graciously made it your problem. I need to be mindful of how helpful you've been when circumstances make me sad. I get swallowed by the sadness. Show me again how much you love me and how you've come to help. Give me confidence. I'm going to trust that your assistance will be more than enough to overcome the problems I face. Amen.

Patience

Reformation Sunday
The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

The hopes of the godly result in happiness... ~ Proverbs 10:28a (NLT)

You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ~ James 5:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA: Let your hope for the future define how you live now.

Lord, you have been patiently executing your long term plan to redeem the world and put it back to the way you, the creator, want it. I'm not so patient. I get frustrated by how much of the world is unfair right now. I want a quicker fix. And I easily lose heart. So please fill me with a fresh infusion of your patience. Help me so that I can stay the course until Jesus returns and makes his presence known. I'm going to grow in patience so that I'm prepared to live happily in the kingdom of God. Amen.