Words

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. ~ 1 Samuel 3:19 (NLT)

For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing, then, that we need to say. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Your words make a difference.

PRAYER:

Your powerful word, Holy Lord, created the heavens and the earth. It is your word that gives power to my words. Help me to be aware of how I use words. Help me to speak in ways that build up and don't tear down. Empower my words to help others come to know you more deeply and love you more sweetly. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

All-Knowing

God knows every secret of the heart. ~ Psalm 44:21 (CEB)

These are the words of the one who is the first and the last, who died and came back to life: I know your hardship and poverty... ~ Revelation 2:8-9 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God knows it all.

PRAYER:

God, you are not only all-powerful -- so powerful that you can raise the dead -- but you are all-knowing. You know all secrets and you know all of the issues that drive us. You have as a fully human Savior experienced it all yourself. Save me from my doubts and fears. Help me to trust that your solutions are ultimately the best solutions for the world and for me. I'm glad that you know so much. Amen.

The love

The 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

I worship at your holy temple and praise you for your love and your faithfulness. You were true to your word and made yourself more famous than ever before. ~ Psalm 138:2 (CEV)

I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them. ~ John 17:26 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God's famous love holds us together.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord. I feel loved. Like the psalmist, I want to praise you for your love and faithfulness. I want to worship you even more than I do already. I realize that we love better together -- when we let you fill us with your love -- when together we are one with you. Save us from trying to love on our own. That just seems impossible. So I pray for growing unity with you, Christ Jesus, and all your people. Amen.

Shining light

God said, “I command light to shine!” And light started shining. ~ Genesis 1:3 (CEV)

The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is shining the light of Christ into our hearts.

PRAYER:

God, I am really happy that you have focused the light of Christ so that it shines right into the core of who I am -- my heart. Thank you for this light that is a gift not only to me but to all the world. Yet, we still play with darkness at times. Personally, I think we enjoy the sense of fear. It makes us feel alive. Yet it is the light of Christ that truly makes us alive. Keep shining your light until it completely pulverizes* any of the fears that we're holding onto. Christ is the light of the world and I'm going to thrive as a living witness of the light. Amen.

* pulverize -- to blast something into such tiny pieces that it cannot be recognized