Alpha and Omega

(God), you are always the same; you will live forever. ~ Psalm 102:27 (NLT)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,”says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come — the Almighty One.” ~ Revelation 1:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord is beyond the limits of time and way beyond our ability to understand.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are incredible. We pretend to understand you but in reality you are way beyond us. You are the only one with no beginning and no end. Unfortunately, we act as though our lives have no end. And we recklessly treat our planet as though it goes on without end -- no matter what we do to it. We need to humbly accept you and your ways. And we need your help to become good stewards of life and creation. We want to honor you -- the Alpha and Omega -- through our faithful management of what you have entrusted to our care. Amen.

God's wallet

The silver and the gold belong to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces. ~ Haggai 2:8 (CEB)

Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out... Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. ~ Luke 12:33-34 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

It makes the most sense to invest our wealth with the Lord, to whom it all belongs anyway.

PRAYER:

Lord,

THANKS: I'm grateful that you are so generous and that you let us mange (and even use) some of the great wealth that belongs to you.

REGRETS: Sometimes I forget that it belongs to you and I try to use your wealth for things I want -- without even asking you.

INTERCESSION: Help me to become a faithful trustee and a generous person.

PURPOSE: I'm going to follow Jesus and live faithfully and generously.

Amen.

Tell others

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. ~ Psalm 71:17 (NLT)

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him. ~ 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

I love to tell the stories of all that Christ does.

PRAYER:

I thank you, Christ Jesus our Lord, throughout the years you have continued to give me the strength to tell about all that you are doing. I'm not always in a receiving mood -- but in your love you continue to strength me. So I ask that those who hear your story from me will be receptive. I want to see others enjoy your good news, too. Amen.

Clean-up

Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt. ~ Psalm 51:2 (CEV)

But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. ~ Ephesians 2:4-5 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God cleans up our sin problem.

PRAYER:

Merciful God -- Every time I think of the way that you sent your Son to be the sacrifice that erased all my guilt and shame I am really thankful. My problem is that I don't remember it enough. I forget about your love and try to go on living my life as before. However, it is your love and kindness that not only saves me -- but it also makes me alive. Energize me with your new life so that I can live the Christ life every day and every minute. Amen.