Solidarity

I, the Lord, have called you... You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons. ~ Isaiah 42:6a,7 (GNT)

Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. ~ Hebrews 13:3 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God has called us to have empathy with those who are suffering -- to care for them as best we can.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm grateful that you care so much about hurting people. Because Christ was one of us you totally understand the pain of rejection and the agony of incarceration. Too many people are suffering in literal and figurative prison cells. But I'm often too busy to really care. Maybe the whole concept is too overwhelming for me. So I ask that you would give me appropriate empathy that is about the needs of others -- and not just my need to be helpful. Give me the heart of Jesus. I want to act in solidarity with those who are hurting. Amen.

God's Kindness

Our Lord, you bless those who live right, and you shield them with your kindness. ~ Psalm 5:12 (CEV)

So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. ~ Hebrews 4:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Our success and safety as human beings depends on God's kindness.

PRAYER:

Merciful God, thank you for being so kind to me. I really do depend on you -- although at times I take your kindness for granted. I don't live as I should, yet I expect your mercy. Of course, you remain kind and merciful regardless of what I do or fail to do. That's who you are. And I'm expecting that my relationship with you will change me for the good. I have no other option. Amen.

Compassionate heart

The 7th Sunday of Easter

But you see the trouble and the distress, and you will do something. ~ Psalm 10:14a (CEV)

But the crowds found out where Jesus was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick. ~ Luke 9:11 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God acts with compassion.

PRAYER:

Merciful Father -- We are all in need of a touch from your Son Jesus. Thank you for being so compassionate. I am someone who has been taught about the Kingdom of God but I am slow to live compassionately. I'm still looking for recognition and honors -- things which get in the way of compassionate living. Free me to fully embrace your compassionate heart. I'm going to follow Jesus. Amen.

Sin

God said: "Never again will I punish the earth for the sinful things its people do. All of them have evil thoughts from the time they are young..." ~ Genesis 8:21 (CEV)

And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins... ~ 1 John 3:5a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God isn't interested in punishing people but in relieving them from the burden of sin.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to save us from the sin problem which haunts us from the day we are born. I still have not conquered sin but I know that you have. So I am going to let you live through me. Please help me because I can't even do that much on my own. Amen.