Endless patience

Remember me, Lord, when you help your people; include me when you save them. ~ Psalm 106:4 (GNT)

Paul writes: But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. ~ 1 Timothy 1:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord patiently saves the least likely.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for including me in your salvation -- even though I'm one of the last people you'd expect to have faith. Your patience is incredible. I wish that some of your patience would rub off on me. I really want people to get their acts together -- now! I expect more from them than I expect from myself -- and certainly I want them to grow up fast. I think I'm probably the one who needs to grow up -- to grow some patience. I want to embrace the endless patience of Christ Jesus. Amen.

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.