Jesus and broken people

THE 10th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. ~ Psalm 34:18 (MSG)

So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ~ Acts 9:17 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord helps broken people.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming into the world and into my life. I need you because there are parts of me that are extremely broken and dysfunctional. Some of the brokenness is my responsibility and some just happens. I need your healing touch so that I can be restored to health -- regardless of how I got this way. Teach me through this experience so that I might become a better servant. Amen.

Lasting words

Lord God, you are truly God! Your words are trustworthy... ~ 2 Samuel 7:28 (CEB)

The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will. ~ Luke 21:33 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God's reliable words last forever.

PRAYER:

Lord, we live in a world where people's words are not worth much. They say things they don't mean or make promises they cannot possibly keep. But you and your words are totally trustworthy. We can count on you. Forgive me when I'm prone to gravitate toward less reliable words -- even though I know deep inside that they can't be trusted. I'm going to note, learn, and inwardly digest your words so that I might become a mature, convinced, and convincing follower of Christ Jesus. Amen.

Peace and Reconciliation

I am going to make a solemn promise to you and to everyone who will live after you. This includes the birds and the animals that came out of the boat. I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood. ~ Genesis 9:9-11 (CEV)

And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God would rather make peace with his enemies than destroy them.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the peace and reconciliation that was established through Christ Jesus. Thank you for entrusting that message of peace and reconciliation to your church. Although, sometimes it seems that we have not fully grasped something so basic. We (and I include myself) fight with those who have different opinions. We only fellowship with people of equal standing. We prefer to blast our enemies than to establish relationships. It seems like we behave in the complete opposite of what you've done. I'm glad that you're not going to flood us out. We deserve flood waters. But I am trusting in the peace and reconciliation of Christ to carry me through. And I am hoping that such will begin to characterize my life. Please make it so in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Jesus Diet

Taste and see how good the Lord is! The one who takes refuge in him is truly happy! ~ Psalm 34:8 (CEB)

But now here is Bread that truly comes down out of heaven. Anyone eating this Bread will not die, ever. I am the Bread—living Bread!—who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live—and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood self. ~ John 6:51 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord Jesus is the spiritual nourishment that we need in order to truly live!

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for coming in order to give us life -- life that is so good that it never ends. I've tasted it and I'm grateful -- even though I still eat some junk food at times. I need to kick the spiritual junk food habit. I need your help -- please. I want you to live on the Jesus diet -- without anything else. Amen.