Unchangeable

I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:14 (MSG)

These are the words of the one who is holy and true, who has the key of David. Whatever he opens, no one will shut; and whatever he shuts, no one opens. ~ Revelation 3:7b (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

What God says and does can't be unsaid or undone by anyone else.

PRAYER:

Lord, you word is true. What you say is what is. You are the final authority. Like most people, though, I am prone to see myself as an authority on a number of things -- especially those that concern my life. Free me from thinking too highly of my own understanding. Help me to lean on your understanding and to pour my energy into honoring you. Amen.

Hardship and Mercy

Our God – the great and mighty and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love – do not treat lightly all the hardship that has come upon us.

“O God, our God, how great you are! How terrifying, how powerful! You faithfully keep your covenant promises... Remember how much we have suffered! ~ Nehemiah 9:32 (GNT)

Bartimaeus cried: “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” ~ Mark 10:48b-49 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We suffer a lot but God is merciful to all who will respond to his calling.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for calling us to yourself. There is no greater gift than to be with you. There is healing in your presence. Still, I too often try to go it alone -- to tough it out -- to fix the problems myself. It doesn't work but I persist. Free me from my pride and independence. Help me to trust you for healing and restoration. For you are the God who keeps all his promises. You are the God of steadfast love. You are the one I want to be with. Amen.

By grace

He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. ~ Psalm 30:5 (MSG)

For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift... ~ Ephesians 2:8 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

God sets his anger aside to graciously love his people.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for loving me. I am not very loveable in and of what or who I am. I'm very unimpressive. I'm a broken person without a lot to offer you. So you do it all through your grace -- your generosity. Help me to live faithfully by faith in what Christ Jesus has done (and is doing) to draw me to yourself. I'm not going to be prideful of my spiritual progress but will denounce all such attitudes to acknowledge the great gift that comes through Jesus. Amen.

Choose life!

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost

I have set life and death, blessing and curse before you. Now choose life... ~ Deuteronomy 30:19 (CEB)

Jesus said: I came so that they could have life -- indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest. ~ John 10:10 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus IS the life. Choose him every day, every hour, every minute, and every second in order to have a great life.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for giving us the life you intended for us to have. Yet, we tend to gravitate toward darkness and death. For some reason, we enjoy the risk of dangerous choices. I include myself. Help me to choose life! I want to live according to the plan you have set out for me. Amen.