Respect the lowly

Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime. ~ Proverbs 17:5 (MSG)

Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven? ~ Matthew 18:10 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

The lowly are important to God and should be important to us.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to remember that in the overall scheme of things I'm a pretty lowly person. But you care about me. I need to care for those who are lowly, too. Save me from my arrogance. Amen.

The Message

I write down countless teachings for the people, but they reject them as strange and foreign. ~ Hosea 8:12 (GNT)

I am surprised at you! In no time at all you are deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ, and are accepting another gospel. ~ Galatians 1:6 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Listen to and act on God's instructions. They contain the life-giving news of grace.

PRAYER:

Lord, I do appreciate having your teachings. But like so many of the books on my shelf your instructions remain untouched day after day. I need to become a person enthralled with your book because it is the message of Christ's grace. Keep that fire burning in my heart. I'm going to become consumed with the message of the grace of Christ. Amen.

Telling

I didn’t die. I lived! And now I’m telling the world what God did. ~ Psalm 118:17 (MSG)

When Paul and Silas had been severely beaten, the authorities threw them into prison... Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ~ Acts 16:23a, 25 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Our witness comes through even during the dangerous times.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for rescuing us from bad people. Sometimes I get annoyed that you allow the bad people to continue on. I need to be reassured that your message goes out even during the difficult times -- perhaps with even more force than during the calm times. The fact is that in the end the resurrection wins. That's the message worth telling. Amen.

Joyful Praise

The 4th Sunday of Eastertide

My mouth is filled with your praise, glorifying you all day long. ~ Psalm 71:8 (CEB)

Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Because of our close connection with Christ Jesus we can't help but praise God -- no matter how bad or good things are.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are worthy of all praise -- even the praise I forget to let come out of my mouth. Sometimes I'm better at complaining than I am at praising. This is because I let myself drift away from Jesus. Pull me back close to you and let the praises start again. Amen.