Enemies and hope

God, don’t shut me out; don’t give me the silent treatment, O God. Your enemies are out there whooping it up, the God-haters are living it up... ~ Psalm 83:1-2 (MSG)

Zechariah said: With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham he promised to rescue us from our enemies and allow us to serve him without fear... all the days of our life. ~ Luke 1:73-75 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

We expect God to rescue us from our enemies.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being here for us. It does not make sense, then, that I get so upset over the enemies to goodness that have become so important in the news. Thre are so many haters out there living it up like they are in power, that I lose perspective and start to think that things have become hopeless. Help me to trust that you are still at work rescuing us from the enemies. I have faith that you are stronger than them. Amen.

Do more

God, treat us kindly. You’re our only hope. First thing in the morning, be there for us! When things go bad, help us out! ~ Isaiah 33:2 (MSG)

With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

The power of Christ present and living in us enables us to accomplish more than we realize.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm so grateful that you are here with me each and every day. Even when I am distant and my mind has wandered far away, you stay close. Help me to do more than I think I can do -- not because I'm special but because you are powerful -- and your power is working in our midst. I want to be present with you so that I can serve you and bring honor to you. Amen.

Honor the Lord

When you have eaten so much that you can’t eat anymore, don’t forget it was the Lord who set you free... ~ Deuteronomy 6:11b-12a (CEV)

When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Whatever we do, even eating and drinking, we do it to honor the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are worthy of all honor and glory. Thank you for being so generous in providing for our family. I confess that I get a little smug when I have a lot. I begin to think that it all comes to me because I've worked hard and I am especially worthy -- that you are honoring me. Remind me that it all comes from you and so all honors belong to you. I'm not going to forget you. Amen.

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.