God's Word

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ~ Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” ~ Luke 11:28 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We thrive when we put God's word into practice.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, both for your Son Jesus, who is the living word and for written word in the Bible. Help me to attend more to what you have to say. For me your word has become perfunctory. I suppose that is inevitable when I study it continually. So I am going to trust that you make the word alive and active in my life. Through the guidance of your word I want to become a person of Godly practice. Amen.

Be encouraged

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Our God has said: "Encourage my people! Give them comfort." ~ Isaiah 40:1 (CEV)

The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost. ~ Luke 19:10 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Be encouraged because Jesus is looking out for you!

PRAYER:

Lord, I've heard so much bad preaching that I'm afraid of Jesus a lot of the time. I'm afraid that I'm going to offend him. I'm afraid that he is like a traffic cop looking for any way that I might be violating your laws. I need to repent of that way of thinking. Help me to see Jesus as the one who is seeking to help me and care for me. I know that you love me. Help me to let the knowledge of your love define the way that I live. Amen.

The company of Jesus

Your faithful love is priceless, God! Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings. ~ Psalm 36:7 (CEB)

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! ~ Hebrews 10:35 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We need to find our home place in the safe company of Jesus.

PRAYER:

This world seems so cruel, Lord God. Health and strength are such fleeting treasures. Then I consider my Savior. I remember his call to follow and fear not. I remember that Jesus' confidence in your power to redeem also frees us to give ourselves away in love -- hoarding nothing. In the company of Jesus, I fear nothing. Hallelujah! Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition, altered)

Humility

Who can tell God what to do? He judges powerful rulers. ~ Job 21:22 (CEV)

And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” ~ 1 Peter 5:5 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Humility always looks good on you.

PRAYER:

Lord, who can tell YOU what to do? Your wisdom and sense of justice are beyond our ability to understand. But that reality doesn't always throttle my attempt to try. I am way too opinionated. With gentleness help me to learn humility so that I can serve you well. Amen.