God's message

The 13th Sunday after Pentecost

They read from the Book of the Teachings of God and explained what it meant so the people understood what was being read. ~ Nehemiah 8:8 (NCV)

For two years Paul stayed in a rented house and welcomed everyone who came to see him. He bravely preached about God’s kingdom and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one tried to stop him. ~ Acts 28:30-31 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Teaching God's message to people is so important that it is worth risking one's life to do it.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for your word. Once I understand it, my own life starts to make more sense. And thank you for those who are called to teach your message. Forgive me for being slow to listen and slow to take up this calling. Please lead me to new opportunities to bravely preach about God's kingdom and the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm going to trust you for that. Amen.

Mercy and forgiveness

Your sins keep my blessings at a distance. ~ Jeremiah 5:25 (MSG)

“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’” ~ Luke 18:13 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Ironically, our sin often keeps us from realizing that God wants to bless us with forgiveness.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your mercy. However, I am often so self-confident that I am unaware of my need for your mercy and forgiveness. I realize that I need to become more like the humbled taxman, aware of his own brokenness and his inability to make things right. I'm going to trust you to straighten out the mess that I've created for myself. I know that I can't do it. But Jesus has already acted on my behalf. Amen.

Creator God over all

Lord, you have been our help, generation after generation. Before the mountains were born, before you birthed the earth and the inhabited world— from forever in the past to forever in the future, you are God. ~ Psalm 90:1-12 (CEB)

We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us. ~ 1 Corinthians 8:6 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is the forever creator of all and all of creation answers to him.

PRAYER:

Creator God, you are over all. I confess, though, that I worry about how things are going to work out -- even though I know that you created everything. Help me to relax in the knowledge that you are over all and in ultimate control. I'm simply going to trust you. Amen.

Come, everything is ready!

O God, you’re the hope of Israel. All who leave you end up as fools, deserters with nothing to show for their lives, who walk off from God, fountain of living waters— and wind up dead! ~ Jeremiah 17:13 (MSG)

Come, everything is ready! ~ Luke 14:17 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

God is eager to fill your stomach, so don't turn away and ignore him.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for providing so well for us. I am especially thankful for the living water who is Jesus. Keep me close to you because even with lots of good food I am prone to wander. I don't want to miss anything that you're serving. Amen.