You're invited

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

You will call out to nations you have never known. And they have never known you, but they will come running because I am the Lord, the holy God of Israel, and I have honored you. ~ Isaiah 55:5 (CEV)

People will come from everywhere -- from the east, the west, the north, and the south. They will all be seated to feast together at the table which is God’s kingdom. ~ Luke 13:29 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

No matter where you're from or who your people are, you're invited to join the celebration -- which is the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the invite. I plan on being there. But I need help in getting ready. I'm so slow to change -- so slow to embrace your kingdom values. I need more transformation. I'm trusting that you're going to be changing me -- even today as I go about your business. Amen.

Living here

I will live there with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. ~ Ezekiel 37:27 (GNT)

The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. ~ John 1:14 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We can become God's mature people because he has come to live with us.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to live among us. We see you in a new light because we see him. Yet, even with your presence we don't always act as your people. And I am speaking about myself, too. I don't always act as a Jesus person who has experienced your kindness and has seen your truth through Jesus glasses. But I am going to keep trusting that what you are doing here among us will eventually result in greater maturity in me. I want to become a mature follower of Jesus. Amen.

Hope for the future

No one will ever hear the sound of weeping or crying in it again. ~ Isaiah 65:19 (CEB)

Let your hope keep you joyful... ~ Romans 12:12a (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Don't let anyone shut off the joyful flow of hope that comes to you through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, it is so frustrating. There are so many people trying to replace hope with fear. And sometimes I let them get to me. I pray, though, that you will keep the hope alive in me. I'm so thankful for all the hope that you are sending my way through Jesus. In spite of all the negative and crazy things going on around me, I'm going to be happy because my hope is rooted in the future that Christ is creating. Amen.

Ask!

Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice! ~ Psalm 65:5a (CEV)

Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. ~ Matthew 7:8 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We should live our lives trusting that God will answer our prayers.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am grateful that you make sure that I'm well cared for. I can count on you for everything I need. I can count on you to make justice happen. I know that; but sometimes I don't ask. I just get so swept up in the moment that I never get around to asking. Please send me constant reminders of your generous offer. I'm going to rely on you. Amen.