Grow!

Love the Lord your God. Walk in all his ways... ~ Joshua 22:5 (CEB)

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ~ Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

When we actually love the Lord we will be growing in godliness.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the way that you love us. Even though I'm grateful, I don't make godliness I high priority in my life. I'm happy to just cruise along with the way things are. I need your intervention so that I can grow in love and understanding -- living a pure and blameless life -- all in preparation for the day when Christ returns and the ways of his kingdom will be the norm. Amen.

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.