Good Lord

Solomon prayed: My father David was your servant, and today you have kept every promise you made to him. ~ 1 Kings 8:24 CEV)

You have already found out how good the Lord really is. ~ 1 Peter 2:3 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord is faithful and good.

PRAYER:

Good Lord, thank you for the way that you have faithfully kept your word. I benefit in many ways from your faithfulness and I see it best through what Christ has done. I want to be faithful to you and share your goodness with as many people as possible. Amen.

Anticipating God

My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God’s face? ~ Psalm 42:2 (CEB)

The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. ~ Romans 8:23-24 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We have experienced a little bit of God already, but we long for the time when there is no need to hope because we will be seeing God face-to-face.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for giving us a preview of all the good things ahead with you. When I am thinking clearly I live in anticipation of being with you. But I do not always think clearly. I am easily distracted by the idols of this era. The thoughts of power and pleasure drive me along in a way that I don't even notice you. I want this to change. Please fill me with anticipation and save me from temptation. I am going to live now in anticipation of then. Amen.

Necessary word

Ash Wednesday
(the beginning of Lent)

I, the Lord, also promise you a terrible shortage, but not of food and water. You will hunger and thirst to hear my message. You will search everywhere— from north to south, from east to west. You will go all over the earth, seeking a message from me, the Lord. But you won’t find one. ~ Amos 8:11-12 (CEV)

Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.” ~ John 6:68-69 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

A word of any sort from the Lord is something to be cherished and taken seriously.

PRAYER:

Lord, we desperately need to hear from you. Without your word we will shrivel up and die. Thank you for sending your living word, Jesus, who is the real eternal life in whom we trust. We don't always listen carefully but please don't stop talking. Without your word we become lifeless. I'm going to keep my eyes and ears alert so that I can take in all of your messages. I'm going to start by listening to Jesus and his message in the Bible. Amen.

Dependents

Love us, God, with all you’ve got— that’s what we’re depending on. ~ Psalm 33:22 (MSG)

Jesus says: "Rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” ~ Luke 10:20b (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Depend on what God has done and is doing through Christ Jesus, rather than trying to find joy in your successes.

PRAYER:

Loving Lord, it is so easy to get excited about you when we've been successful at something. We pretend that those are the times when you have really shown up. Of course, you've been there the whole time -- even when we're struggling. Help me to get beyond my faulty theology and to rejoice in what you are doing through your heavenly headquarters -- and that you have included me on your list of known heavenly associates. You do that even when I'm struggling. I guess that means all the glory goes to you. You are the one worthy of all recognition. Amen.