Obeying God rather than human authorities

I praise and honor God Most High. He lives forever, and his kingdom will never end. ~ Daniel 4:34 (CEV)

We must obey God rather than any human authority. ~ Acts 5:29 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Our allegiance is first and foremost to God.

PRAYER:

Almighty God, thank you for being in charge. I acknowledge, though, that I'm under a lot of pressure to view other authorities as supreme -- family, friends, government, popular figures... Forgive me for giving in to follow them rather than you. Help me to stand up to the kings of our day as Daniel and the apostles stood up to the authorities of their day. It's all about obeying you. That's my motto for life. Amen.

God's timing

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. ~ Luke 9:33 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

It's easy to miss God's timing.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have your time for everything. Thankfully, you have a plan! But I'm cluelessly lost in my own world. Help me to see and sense your timing so that I'm moving with you. Amen.

Choose good

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Choose good instead of evil! See that justice is done. Maybe I, the Lord All-Powerful, will be kind to what’s left of your people. ~ Amos 5:15 (CEV)

But now set aside these things, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language. Don’t lie to each other. Take off the old human nature with its practices. ~ Colossians 3:8-9 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Quit doing all the things associated with the old way of life and choose good.

PRAYER:

Lord All-Powerful, thank you for your outrageous undeserved kindness. I need help living the new way. The old way still tugs at me and I give into it at times. You tell me to set aside the old way of life. But I find that hard. It's a challenge. I need a powerful helper if I'm going to follow through on what I need to do. And I can't think of anyone or anything more powerful than you. So I am looking to you. Amen.

Future healing

Then the Lord will bandage his people’s injuries and heal the wounds he has caused. The moon will shine as bright as the sun, and the sun will shine seven times brighter than usual. It will be like the light of seven days all at once. ~ Isaiah 30:26 (CEV)

“Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ~ Revelation 21:3-4 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The future is bright with God living among his people and healing all their hurts.

PRAYER:

Kind God, thank you for the promise of healing. It means a lot to me because some of my friends are really sick. It is easy for me to get swallowed by pain and grief -- to forget that you are in the process of healing. Help me to keep the future in my mind. I'm going to trust what you are doing through Christ Jesus to heal the world. Amen.