Seeking

But all who are hunting for you— oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you’re all about tell the world you’re great and not quitting. ~ Psalm 40:16 (MSG)

When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. ~ Luke 19:5-6 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Seekers become joyful as they realize how passionately the Lord has been seeking them out.

PRAYER:

Lord, while seeking you, I've discovered that you have been seeking after me -- except with more passion than I could ever generate. It's not really about my efforts but about your faithfulness to seek and find sinful people. I am one of those people. Often I make poor choices and wander off the path leading to you. But like the father in the prodigal son parable you are running out to find me. You are scanning the treeline to look for Zacchaeus and those who want to know you. Thank you. Change my life so that I am receptive of your grace. Fill me with the song of a person being embraced by Jesus. Amen.

Law and Love

The 2nd Sunday in Easter-tide

So then, do as the Lord has commanded you: live according to his laws and obey him. ~ Deuteronomy 6:8 (GNT)

Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. ~ Romans 13:8 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We are living according to the Lord's law when we love others.

PRAYER:

Loving Lord, it's not hard to see why you expect us to act lovingly. When we do so, we're just doing what you do. We're following you. Well, we're trying. I for one am not perfect when it comes to loving others. That means I'm not truly living according to your law. Forgive me. I know that you forgive because your love is greater than your demands. I pray, too, that you would stir the love in me so that it comes out. I'm going to spend my energy loving others. Amen.

Lights on

He’ll turn on the lights and show me his ways. ~ Micah 7:9 (MSG)

After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. ~ Luke 24:30-31 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

At some point God's plan becomes clear.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for revealing yourself through Christ Jesus. You don't leave us in the dark. Most importantly you show us your love and grace. Help me to be patient with those who have not yet seen. Amen.

God in the lion's den

So the king gave orders for Daniel to be taken and thrown into the pit filled with lions. He said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve so loyally, rescue you.” ~ Daniel 6:16 (GNT)

We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:9 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Even though we suffer and face opposition, God stays with us.

PRAYER:

Compassionate God, thank you for staying by my side when troubles come. Sometimes I'm so focused on dealing with the problems that I don't even notice that you are there by my side fixing the problems in your own way -- and your own time. Help me to stand calm as I face the lions -- but more importantly, help me to see that you are there with me. You're the best. Because of you I'm not going to let adversity get the best of me. Amen.