Transcending

Might God continue to bless us; might the people from even the most remote places over the entire earth honor him. ~ Psalm 67:7 (ABP)

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:18-19 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God's love transcends boundaries.

PRAYER:

Lord, your love is so amazing that it cannot be contained. It breaks through any walls that we establish -- transcending all time and space -- all measures of tribe and race. Amazing! Help me to plant my feet firmly on your love. I seem to wander all over the place. So keep me steady where I need to be and I will be living a life that is full of your fullness. Amen.

New

I will give them a new heart and a new mind. ~ Ezekiel 11:19a (GNT)

Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Christ is making everything new and if we are joined to him that newness starts to happen in us, too.

PRAYER:

Lord God, it is so exciting to hear about how you are remaking creation -- that it will all be new. Thank you for including people in this newness. I need a new heart and a new mind that will be focused exclusively on serving you. I need all the old to be gone because there is still some of the old life that is clinging to me. But I am going to claim the new life for myself and trust that you will continue the process of making me into a completely new Christ-like being. Amen.

Waiting patiently

The 4th Sunday after Epiphany

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

You remember how patient Job was and how the Lord finally helped him. The Lord did this because he is so merciful and kind. ~ James 5:11b (CEV)
KEY IDEA:

It's worth waiting patiently for the Lord will deliever.

PRAYER:

Mercifcul and kind God, for centuries your people waited for the Messiah who would break the back of death as he started the resurrection movement. Thank you for sending him at just the right time. There are lots of things I'm waiting for. I am not always so patient or brave in my waiting. I am easily discouraged. Help me to see Jesus as my not only the hope of the world but also my hope -- the one who will deliver -- the one who cause everything I am going through to make sense. I am going to wait patiently for you. Amen.

The Life

I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live. ~ Psalm 23:6 (GNT)

I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life. ~ John 5:24 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Living with the Lord is living THE life!

PRAYER:

Lord, you are relentless. You don't give up in your effort to make for us the life we were intended to live. You have even sacrificed your own Son so that we could live. Lord, I do believe in you -- although it is weak belief. Keep sending your words my direction so that my faith will grow stronger and I will realize how wonderful the life you've given to me actually is. Amen.