Shining like the sun

If you love Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! If you were in sorrow because of the city, you can now be glad. ~ Isaiah 66:10 (CEV)

But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. ~ Matthew 13:43a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God promises a great future for the active citizens of his kingdom.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the hope that you have given us through Christ Jesus. Thank you for initiating the Kingdom of God. I count myself as a citizen of that kingdom because I am trusting in what Christ has done and is doing. But I'm not sure that I'm yet to the point where I'm shining like the sun. Please do what it takes in my life to get me to that point. I'm eager to become a full participant in the celebration. Amen.

Belonging to God

We’ll never again say ‘our god’ to something we’ve made or made up. ~ Hosea 14:3 (MSG)

Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:22b-23 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Because we are connected to Christ our allegiance is only to the one true God.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are the one God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No other beings, forces, or powers are even in your league. So why is it that I fall prey to fake gods -- posers? I have no good answer for that. But I know that I need a strengthened connection to Christ Jesus. And only you can make that happen. So I am expressing my desire that my life would be all about Jesus -- and him alone. Amen.

God answers

When they call to me, I will answer them... ~ Psalm 91:15a (GNT)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. ~ Romans 8:26-27 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God graciously answers even when we don't know how or what to ask.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for hearing us, even when we don't have the ideas or words to say. You know our hearts and your Spirit intercedes on our behalf. Help me to trust you when I feel discouraged -- trust that you know and understand -- even better than I. Amen.

God's bag of surprises

Eliphaz said: "If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises." ~ Job 5:8-9 (MSG)

“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said (to Jesus), “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” ~ John 5:7-8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God is full of wonderful surprises that benefit us in our times of need.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for all your miracles and unrecognized interventions that have brought me to this place. Yet, I'm still not at the point where I expect you to do the unexpected. I'm still reluctant to step out in faith. And when times do get hard I get discouraged. Help me to trust you and your bag of surprises. I'm sure that they're all in my best interest. Amen.