Love talk

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Don’t go on and on, talking so proudly, spouting arrogance from your mouth, because the Lord is the God who knows, and he weighs every act. ~ 1 Samuel 2:3 (CEB)

Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. ~ 1 John 3:18 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

The kind of love that the Lord recognizes is the kind which has more action than words.

PRAYER:

Lord, you created the universe through your Word. So you know the true power of words. We, however, and I'm thinking of me, are too casual with our words. We like to think that if we say a lot or write a lot on Facebook that we're pretty good people. But you know what is inside us and how it needs to come out to be real. Help me to focus more on loving actions and less on words that draw attention to me. I'm going to act with love -- the same as Jesus my sacrificing Savior. Amen.

Unfit?

We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. ~ Isaiah 64:6 (CEV)

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered that the Lord had said, “Before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter went out and cried hard. ~ Luke 22:61-62 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Apart from the grace of God we can't be consistently good enough to make ourselves fit to follow Christ.

PRAYER:

Lord, it is amazing that you would have anything to do with us. No matter how hard we try we always fall short in righteousness. I usually end up looking silly when I try to impress you (and others) with how good I am. Douse me with your grace -- wash the filth away from my body, mind, heart, and soul. I want to be able to serve you and follow Christ Jesus. He is the one who turns self-focused losers into Jesus-honoring winners. Amen.

Living the life

God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! ~ Psalm 118:26 (CEV)

God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. ~ 1 John 4:9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is the blessed one sent from God to bring us life.

PRAYER:

Blessed Jesus, thank you for leaving your safe and secure heavenly throne to come here and be with us. You are such a great friend. Even more, you are a great Savior -- sacrificing your life to bring us the kind of life that we don't really deserve. You are merciful and generous. But I am slow to respond and still seek after things which have nothing to do with the life you offer. Steer me in a healthy direction so that I can start living the life. Amen.

God responds

O Lord, you show mercy to those who have no one else to turn to. ~ Hosea 14:3 (GNT)

The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks: “I can see your pain and poverty—constant pain, dire poverty—but I also see your wealth. ~ Revelation 2:8-9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

No matter how hopeless you are God will respond to you and your need.

PRAYER:

Gracious and responsive God, thank you for seeing and understanding all the pain in my life. There is so much hurt that I don't understand it all. All I can really do is turn to you. You have experienced the pain through your Son Christ Jesus. So you know what I'm going through. But because Christ broke through the pain and death barrier you know how to lead me through it and past it. Help me to trust you to take care of it. Amen.