God wants us!

The 5th Sunday of Easter

I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. ~ Exodus 6:7a (NLT)

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! ~ 1 John 3:1a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God wants us!

PRAYER:

Lord, so much of life is about dealing with rejection. But you never reject your people. To the contrary you are forever reaching out to us and claiming us as your own. In contrast, I too often reject your directions for living the best life possible -- a life defined by my walk with you. I suppose that in a sense means I'm rejecting you. How could I do that? I don't want to do that. Guide me to the point where I am able to live as your dearly loved child. That's who I am! Amen.

Joy

But someday you will hear happy voices and the sounds of parties and wedding celebrations. And when people come to my temple to offer sacrifices to thank me, you will hear them say:

“We praise you, Lord All-Powerful! You are good to us, and your love never fails.” ~ Jeremiah 33:10b-11a (CEV)

John the Baptist said: At a wedding the groom is the one who gets married. The best man is glad just to be there and to hear the groom’s voice. That’s why I am so glad. ~ John 3:29 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Sad days don't last so we should point to the source of joy -- Jesus.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the love that never fails. You are my source of happiness. Forgive me for choosing to be stuck in the sadness that comes with doing my own thing without you. I need to be reminded of you faithful love. I'm going to focus on your goodness rather than the badness in the world. Amen.

For Everyone

Attention! Let all the people of the world listen! Let the earth and everything in it hear. The Sovereign Lord is making accusations against you... ~ Micah 1:2a (NLT)

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature." ~ Mark 16:15 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord has a good news message for everyone.

PRAYER:

Sovereign Lord, thank you for the good news of Jesus. It sure beats the message of judgment. Help me to live as a good news person full of your grace. Even though I've heard the good news over and over again, that just makes me want to hear it one more time. And I want to be able to tell it to everyone who will listen. Amen.

Don't quit hoping

O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. ~ Psalm 71:5 (NLT)

So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

Since our hope is in the Lord we should continue hoping -- even when we grow old and our bodies don't work as well.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for sustaining me for my many years. Like the psalmist, I've trusted in you since I was a child. And you have never let me down. At times I let you down and don't act faithfully. I have no good excuse or explanation for my behavior because you have been so good to me. Please continue to renew my inner life so that I do not become discouraged. I'm going to bank my hope with you. Amen.