The God who delievers

Pentecost Sunday

I’m still your God, the God who saved you out of Egypt. I’m the only real God you’ve ever known. I’m the one and only God who delivers. ~ Hosea 13:4 (MSG)

This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:13-14 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God still delivers us.

PRAYER:

Generous God, you have been leading your people from day one. And you have been saving us -- delivering us from evil -- the whole time. Jesus is my Savior so I know that I'm saved, but I'm also stubborn. And I resist being led. Save me from myself. You are the only God I've ever known and through your Holy Spirit I am going to live my life connected to you. Amen.

Listen

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders. ~ Isaiah 50:4 (MSG)

One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed! ~ Acts 16:14 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Those eager to listen to God are changed.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you again for talking to us and calling us to become a part of your mission to change the world. I confess that I am not always quick to listen. So I am asking you to give me a more trusting heart. I'm going to listen and believe. Amen.

Seek

In times of trouble I pray to the Lord; all night long I lift my hands in prayer, but I cannot find comfort. ~ Psalm 77:2 (GNT)

May the Lord lead your hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (CEB) 

KEY IDEA:

Seek the Lord and he will lead you.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your direction. It shows how much you love us. I need to be more consistent in turning to you. I need to be expressing your love without giving up when the hard times come. I'm going to trust you to develop those qualities within me. Amen.

Repent

David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, please take away the guilt of your servant because I have done something very foolish.” ~ 2 Samuel 24:10 (CEB)

I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life. ~ Luke 15:10 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord gets excited when we turn from the things which are wrong and move toward him instead.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for forgiving our sins. I'm grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf to secure forgiveness and new life. I admit, though, that it is hard to turn away from sin. I'm so desperate to appear good that until someone finds out about the bad, I'm slow to allow you to change my heart and life. Please give me a new, more open, and honest attitude. I want to give the angels cause to celebrate. Amen.