King over all

God will be king over all the earth, one God and only one. What a Day that will be! ~ Zechariah 14:9 (MSG)

Christ Jesus had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. ~ Philippians 2:6-7 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Christ Jesus is a humble king -- very different from how we usually think of the powerful.

PRAYER:

Almighty God -- King over all kings -- ruler over all the earth, thank you for coming to live with us. You changed who we are by being here. Now, I am in need of more changing in my life. I'm still hung-up on trying to accumulate as much power as possible. Help me to not be afraid of being powerless in order to help other people. I want to become like Jesus. Amen.

Enduring faith

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

If your faith is not enduring, you will not endure. ~ Isaiah 7:9 (GNT)

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are so faithful. I think that I have faith in you. But I'm pretty good at fooling myself. Grant me the wisdom to see how I'm really doing. I want to be a person of genuine faith living out the life of Christ Jesus who resides in me. Amen.

God enables

Soon the Lord’s angel woke Elijah again and said, “Get up and eat, or else you’ll get too tired to travel.” ~ 1 Kings 19:7 (CEV)

Enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. ~ Acts 4:29 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God enables his people to do his work.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your ongoing attention. Otherwise, I, too, might sleep the day away. When things are rough I tend to withdraw into myself. Refresh me and renew my confidence that I might boldly speak your word where and when you want it spoken. Amen.

Others

Check in on your brothers to see whether they are getting along all right... ~ 1 Samuel 17:18 (MSG)

Titus is my partner, who works with me to serve you. The other two followers are sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. Treat them in such a way that the churches will see your love and will know why we bragged about you. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:23-24 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Excell at treating each other well.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have been so good to us. I know that you expect us to pass along your care by looking out for each other. That is easier said than done -- at least for me. I am mostly concerned about myself -- my comfort-level and my well being. Help me to start living beyond myself. I want to serve Christ by caring for those who are important to you. Amen.