Day of the Lord

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord thunders commands to his army. The troops that obey him are many and mighty. How terrible is the day of the Lord! Who will survive it?

"But even now," says the Lord, "repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning." ~ Joel 2:11-12 (GNT)

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. ~ Romans 13:12 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

It's time to make some changes because the judgment day of the Lord is coming soon.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for promising to return. I'm not sure that I'm ready, though. There are things that need to change -- lots of small things -- perhaps a few big things. I'm not ready to face you. I need help changing. Start wherever you want with me. You know me better than I know myself. I just want to be among "the troops that obey him." Amen.

Rescued for a purpose

God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out. ~ Psalm 30:3 (MSG)

He rescued us from the control of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. ~ Colossians 1:13 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God has saved us from the dark powers associated with death in order to give us a chance to live now according to the kingdom of Jesus.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for the rescue. I confess that I'm inclined to leave it all at that -- me rescued -- to pretend that that is the whole story. But you rescue people for a purpose -- your purpose. Help me to make Jesus' purpose my only purpose. I'm going to live according to the kingdom of Jesus. Amen.

Generous

But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:14 (MSG)

Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:14 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Since God has given us plenty we need to be eager to share with those currently in need.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for being so generous. I know that I should be generous, too. With you providing for me I don't have to worry about having enough. But I do worry. And that stifles my generosity. Please grant me a worry-free spirit of generosity. I want to honor you by being like you. Amen.

Freedom from sin

The People of Israel said to God: “We’ve sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!” ~ Judges 10:15 (MSG)

Let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. ~ Hebrews 12:1b (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

We need to get rid of the sin that holds onto us and which keeps us from running for Jesus at the level he'd like us to compete.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the forgiveness that was given to us through the actions of Christ Jesus. Help me to release the sins which don't just cling to me but which I also hold onto. I need to be free to run for Jesus. Amen.