The heavens speak

Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. ~ Psalm 19:1 (CEB)

While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” ~ Mark 1:10-11 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Even the heavens reveal what God is up to through his Son Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Glory to you, Lord God. Thank you for revealing yourself in Christ Jesus and setting up the heavens to serve as a witness about him. The heavens are not a god but a servant of your generosity and creativity. Remind me to look up. (I get so involved in what I'm doing that I don't take enough time to notice your creation.) Help me to see that whenever I look up even the clouds and the stars are bringing honor to Christ. I want to join them in that work. Amen.

God does not reject his people

I created you to be my servant, and I will never forget you. ~ Isaiah 44:21b (GNT)

So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! ~ Romans 11:1 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God does not reject his people

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, that we never have to worry about you forgetting us or rejecting us. As it turns out we are the ones who reject you. And I know from my own life that we often do it in subtle ways. With our words, we acknowledge that we serve you. But with our actions, we serve ourselves, our cultures, our families, our desires... Forgive us and please continue to remind us of why you created us. And so by your grace, we are freed from worry. Amen.

Guides into the mystery of Christ

Enable me to speak the truth at all times, because my hope is in your judgments. ~ Psalm 119:43a (GNT)

Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Our assignment is to guide people deeper into God's truth.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for entrusting your church with the wonderful mystery of Christ -- that he is God among us living with real flesh and bones, that he came to establish his own kingdom where even the poor are treated well, that he suffered and died on our behalf, relieving us of the burden of sin, that he rose from the dead and established the new life which we all embrace by faith in Christ's faithfulness. This is such a great life changing truth. Forgive me for twisting this mystery so that it gives me some kind of power and control over others. I like to be in charge. So, I am asking that you enable me to speak the truth at all times -- as a servant. I'm eager to guide many more people to know Christ -- and to know him well. Amen.

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.