Testing...

My God! My God, why have you left me all alone?.. I cry out... but you don’t answer... ~ Psalm 22:1a, 2a (CEB)

Since Christ himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. ~ Hebrews 2:18 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Tough times happen but since Christ has gone through such himself, he can help us.

PRAYER:

Lord, I appreciate what you have gone through on our behalf. Well, I at least have some appreciation. I don't think that I can fully appreciate all that you have done and are doing for us. Sometimes, during the day as I'm getting annoyed with how hard things are, I even forget that you have suffered. I'm so caught up with myself and my situation that I don't leave room to see my salvation. But then you always manage in some way to break back into my life again. Please keep doing what you're doing. Eventually, I will start to get it -- that you are continually there to help -- even if I'm unaware of what you are up to. Amen.

His presence

Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you... ~ Psalm 42:6 (NLT)

Jesus says: No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. ~ John 14:18 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Turn to the Lord Jesus when you are discouraged because he will be with you.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for responding to me in my time of need. I only wish that I would turn to you BEFORE I get discouraged. Maybe that would help prevent some of the discouragement. But I am so easily distracted. Stick with me in spite of my weaknesses. I want to be with you. Amen.

The right kind of wisdom

These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they so wise after all? ~ Jeremiah 8:9 (NLT)

Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5 (GNT)

KEY IDEAS:

Don't trust people who act like they know everything. Instead, trust in the wisdom and power from God.

PRAYER:

Wise and caring God, the world is full of people who think they know more than they do. Sometimes I am one of them. I end up feeling very foolish once I figure out that I'm not so smart. You are both smart and wise. Hold me up so that I don't trip over my own foolishness. Grow wisdom from the seed of Christ Jesus that you have planted in my heart. I want to trust you and share in your wisdom -- while ignoring the so-called "wisdom" of the world around me. Thank you for your attention. Amen.

Trusting the name of the Lord

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

I will protect those who trust in my name. ~ Psalm 91:14b (NLT)

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God... ~ Revelation 3:12a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Those who trust in the name of the Lord will wear his name forever.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being trustworthy. Great is your name. I don't deserve to be a pillar in your temple. I'm weak. I stumble. But if need be, I will stumble across the finish line. It's because you are a God who graciously empowers the weak people who trust you. You write your name on us and we can be with you forever. Amen.