God values people

But why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings? ~ Psalm 8:4 (NCV)

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ~ Ephesians 1:5-6 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

People are so important to God that he made a way for us to be adopted into his family.

PRAYER:

Lord, with the psalmist I wonder how it is that you started to care for us people. There is so much to your creation and yet you sought out fellowship with the people. Thank you for making a way for us to become a part of your family. Help me to remember who I am because of your grace and to think often of you, our heavenly Father. Amen.

Discerning

Ears to hear and eyes to see -- both are gifts from the Lord. ~ Proverbs 20:12 (NLT)

Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Put everything you see and hear to the test to determine if it is from the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for giving us the tools to sort the good from the bad. I confess, though, that I'm a bit lazy in this matter. There are so many words and so many images -- I get tired of the sorting work. Might the Holy Spirit reenergize me so that I can faithfully discern what needs to be discerned. I want to hold onto only those things which are good. Amen.

God is generous

It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep. ~ Psalm 127:2 (CEV)

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God provides everthing we need.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God! While I ask for things which I think would be nice to have, you have already given me everything I need. Help me to see the difference. Sometimes I feel like I need things that I simply want. Of course, in your generosity, you also give us some of the things we want. That is just a bonus pointing to your gracious nature. I'm going to quit wanting so much and focus more on what you have already given to us -- starting with the gift of new life in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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.