One way or the other

Elijah said: "How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" ~ 1 Kings 18:21 (NLT)

Jesus said: Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. ~ Mark 2:21 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

It doesn't work to try and live in both the old way and the new way. You have to make a choice.

PRAYER:

Lord,

THANKS: Thank you for giving us a choice -- a way out of the dysfunctional old life.

REGRETS: I'm one of those people who wavers back and forth between the old and the new. I cause a lot of damage to myself and others because of that.

INTERCESSION: I want to change and I need to have some help sticking with the new way.

PURPOSE: I'm no longer going to be flaky. I going to be all about following Jesus.

Amen.

Rejoice in God's gift

Rejoice in the Lord your God! ~ Joel 2:23a (NLT)

Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to help his people and has given them freedom. He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of God’s servant David. ~ Luke 1:68-69 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

Rejoice in God's gift of a powerful Savior.

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to honor you for all your gifts -- above all that of Jesus, your only Son, whom you sent to be our Savior. I don't deserve a Savior -- especially since I am such a screw-up. But perhaps that's the point. You are so generous that you give broken and self-centered people what they don't deserve. You give us a powerful Savior who frees us from captivity to sin and brokenness. That is worth a joyous shout -- and perhaps even a Christmas carol. Amen.

Peace from the Lord

The Second Sunday of Advent

The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace. ~ Numbers 6:26 (CEB)

I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace... ~ Romans 15:13 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is the source of hope, peace, and joy.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for showing your face -- for smiling at us -- at me. I am more blessed than I will ever realize. If I will stop worrying about my reputation, put my own way of doing things away, and turn to you, you will fill me with hope, peace, and joy. That is my goal. I pray in the name of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. Amen.

God is good

No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted. ~ Psalm 73:1 (MSG)

Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for God to save the people... ~ Luke 2:25 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is so good that he is worth waiting for.

PRAYER:

Good God, I'm standing with Simeon -- waiting in confidence that you are going to save creation -- including the capstone of it all -- the people. At least I want to stand with Simeon. Sometimes my knees are weak and I trip and fall. I get distracted and I forget about the waiting. But you started the new creation rolling with the arrival of Jesus. And he was so faithful to us through his teaching and sacrifice. I'm counting on him to steady me and hold me up as I wait. And as I wait, I am trusting in him to transform me into a good and good-hearted person so that I can add to his honor. Amen.