Defeating evil

The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Don’t be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.” After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better. ~ Genesis 50:21b

Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Evil is defeated when we act graciously toward those who have harmed us.

PRAYER:

Gracious Father, thank you for taking care of us, even though we don't deserve it. You are full of grace. I'm inclined to hold onto grudges when people are mean to me. Save me from that way of acting and thinking. I want to be the person who defeats evil with good -- following in the footsteps of Jesus my Savior. Amen.

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.