The message that gives life

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver that’s been refined in an oven, purified seven times over! ~ Psalm 12:6 (CEB)

Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. ~ Philippians 2:15-16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Stick with God's message and you will shine!

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your message that gives me life. I confess, though, that at times I am pretty casual about your written message. Yet I am going to trust that what gets through to me will be transformative. I'm going to trust you to use your word to change me. Amen.

Peace

You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea. ~ Psalm 65:5 (CEV)

So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all -- to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. ~ Ephesians 2:17 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Christ came to bring peace to all people.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are the Prince of Peace. Your agenda is peace for all people. My agenda is peace for me. And I admit that my agenda usually takes priority over your agenda. I need you to help me see how your agenda is the key to my peace. I know that it will only come into focus as I center my attention on Christ himself. So please help me to do that. I'm going to become an operative for the Price of Peace. Amen.

Children

You people are precious to me, and when I come to bring justice, I will protect you, just as parents protect an obedient child. ~ Malachi 3:17 (CEV)

Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God. ~ John 1:12 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Those who put their faith in God are cared for by him as his children.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for accepting me -- even though my faith is weak and broken. Yet you still care for me as one of your children. Please strengthen my faith so that I can act more like your child. I want to be involved in all your activities and to advance your interests in the world. Amen.

Unhealthy desires

Do not crave your neighbor’s house, field, male or female servant, ox, donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. ~ Deuteronomy 5:21 (CEB)

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” ~ Luke 12:15 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Greed will destroy your life.

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank you for providing everything that I need. I don't know why it is that in spite of your generosity I still pursue more -- sometimes even things which are harmful to me and others. I am in need of your intervention to calm my desires for that which is unhealthy. I'm going to trust you to get involved. Amen.