Angry God?

A day is coming when people will sing, "I praise you, Lord! You were angry with me, but now you comfort me and are angry no longer." ~ Isaiah 12:1 (GNT)

God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

We don't relate to the Lord as an angry God who needs to be made happy, but as the loving and generous God who sets us up to receive the gift of his salvation.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you, for you are loving and kind. I don't know how it is that I'm so afraid of you. Somehow I've gotten the idea that you are in a constant state of anger -- except when I do something good -- and you stop being angry with me for a few minutes. That is not only bad theology but it is insulting to you. Thank you for your understanding and your willingness to work with dense people like me. With your help I'm hoping to learn to live in your love. Amen.

Blessings from above

From your lofty house, you water the mountains. The earth is filled full by the fruit of what you’ve done. ~ Psalm 104:13 (CEB)

But he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts. ~ Acts 14:17 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

No matter what happens we are never left without evidence of God's goodness extended toward us.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are always so kind. Even when you seem quiet you are still making yourself known and taking care of us. I'm kind of stubborn, though, and I like to have all the evidence and blessings packaged in my own special way. Forgive my arrogance and help me to see the benefit of the way you send your blessings. I know that you will not turn your back on me. Amen.

Stop worrying

When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. ~ Psalm 146:4 (NLT)

Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? ~ Matthew 6:27 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

All our plans eventually vaporize. So trust God and quite worrying.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are totally trustworthy and I appreciate that. I confess, though, that I don't always trust you. I enjoy worrying because it makes me feel like I can come up with a lasting solution to an overwhelming problem. Please grant me the humility to stop worrying. I'm going to look to you for solutions and not fret when I can't see what you are doing. Amen.

Jesus freak!

The first Sunday after Epiphany

I’ll raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites—one just like you. I’ll put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. ~ Deuteronomy 18:18 (CEB)

Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” ~ John 1:45 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is the one we've been expecting.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus into our world to speak and act-out your plan for us. I confess that I don't pay enough attention to Jesus. I've become an expert in religious matters that touch on Jesus but am not totally consumed with him. I need to become singularly focused on Jesus so that everything else will come into focus. I want to become a Jesus freak this year. Amen.