God's powerful Word

All Saints Day

Do you think you can fool God the way you fool others? ~ Job 13:9 (GNT)

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:
God's Word is powerful -- revealing all that is hidden.

PRAYER:
God, thank you for your powerful Word that reveals all that is hidden. It's sharp, too. I pray that you would use it to cut the unhealthy things out of my life. I need to be healthy enough that I can listen and obey you. Amen.

Make peace

Turn away from evil! Do good! Seek peace and go after it! ~ Psalm 34:14 (CEB)

Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. ~ Romans 15:7 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Make welcoming peace with each other, just as Christ has welcomed you into his kingdom of peace.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for accepting me into your presence. You're such a great peace-maker. But I'm so competitive that peace is always a second or third thought. Help me to make it primary. I want to accept and welcome others in the same way that Christ has accepted and welcomed me. It can happen -- by the grace of God. Amen.

God is generous

I will make you even more prosperous than you were before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ~ Ezekiel 36:11 (NLT)

God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? ~ Romans 8:32 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is generous.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for all that you have given to us. I am especially grateful for the gift of your Son whose sacrifice and resurrection have established a new life. I confess that my list of "wants" often keeps me from acknowledging your generosity. It is so easy to focus on the things I desire and think I need. Free me from desire. I am going to live fully aware of your generosity. Amen.

Prophets

Reformation Sunday

Amos said, "I am a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. But the Lord told me to leave my herds and preach to the people of Israel." ~ Amos 7:14-15 (CEV)

Those who prophesy speak to people, building them up, and giving them encouragement and comfort. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:3 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord calls prophets to speak for him.

PRAYER:

Lord, I really appreciate the messengers that you have sent to share your word with people. I resist being one of those people. That is a lot of responsibility -- more than I want to carry. But it's not about me. Rather it is about being responsive to your call. Help me, and all men and women who follow you, to respond to the call to share your word within our own contexts. I want to be an encouragement and comfort with a word about Jesus. Amen.