Outpouring of the Spirit

After that, I will pour out my spirit upon everyone... ~ Joel 2:28a (CEB)

Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. ~ Acts 2:33 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God has released his Holy Spirit on all kinds of people.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have really opened things up by sending your Spirit to be among us. He changes everything by moving among people from every tribe, island, nation, and language. The things which divided us in the past have become moot. Thank you for such a gift. However, I confess that I still participate in the mindset which honors divisions. I still look down on people from other clans and nations. Please continue to change my way of looking at the world and other people so that I see them as Jesus sees them. Amen.

All to worship

I will purify each language and make those languages acceptable for praising me. Then, with hearts united, everyone will serve only me, the Lord. ~ Zephaniah 3:9 (CEV)

Every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:11 (NIV)

KEY IDEA:

The world will be united in acknowledging Christ Jesus as Lord over everything and everyone.

PRAYER:

Creator God, your people will eventually get together to recognize Christ Jesus. Help me to be open to learning about other cultures and peoples so that I can help in that process. I admit that this is hard because my focus is so narrow -- mostly on the people who are most like me. Still, I am looking forward to singing your praises with people representing every tribe, nation, and language. Amen.

Given much

The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity. ~ Psalm 115:16 (NLT)

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return... ~ Luke 12:48 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord has entrusted us with much. He expects much faithfulness.

PRAYER:

Lord, You are very generous. Yet, I, like most people, tend to take your gifts for granted. But you must have given everything to us for a reason. Help us to see what it is that you want us to do. Help me to focus on living according to the trust you have put in me. I know that I am but one person. Still, I must be here for a reason. I want to live faithfully. Amen.

The word

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost

God: whose word I praise.
The Lord: whose word I praise.
I trust in God... ~ Psalm 56:10-11a (CEB)

Jesus says: Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. ~ John 6:63b (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

The words spoken by the Lord deserve our attention because they have the power to change everything.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for your powerful word. Your message is life-changing. I confess that while I talk about how wonderful your word is (IT IS WONDERFUL!) I am not so good at doing what your word tells me to do. I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. Yet the amazing thing is that your word also offers forgiveness and frees us from the weight of guilt and shame. That is life-making. And I desire to experience change in my life so that I am living more faithfully according to your word. Amen.