Obedience and Freedom

Ash Wednesday -- the First Day of Lent

Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. ~ Jeremiah 7:23 (NLT)

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” ~ John 8:31-32 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

If we persevere in living out what Jesus calls us to do we will experience true freedom.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the freedom that you give to us. I love you but I also take a lot of short-cuts when it comes to living your way. I realize that this approach eats away at the freedom that you give to your people. Empower me to be a narrowly focused disciple who finds freedom in obeying you. I'm going to live free. Amen.

Gaining God Knowledge

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God... ~ Proverbs 1:7 (MSG)

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. ~ Colossians 1:9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God gives to receptive people a thorough understanding of his ways.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for teaching me. You are generous with your wisdom. I, however, am slow to learn. I think it is because I don't feel like I am in a rush. Please grant to me a sense of urgency so that I can develop deep godly wisdom during my life. I want what you want -- that I'd become wise -- filled with the knowledge of Christ. Amen.

Wind and fire

The winds are your messengers, and flames of fire are your servants. ~ Psalm 104:4 (CEV)

Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. ~ Acts 2:2-4 (CEV) 

KEY IDEA:

Even the uncontrolable wind and fire serve the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, not only are you in charge of the elements but you employ them for your agenda. Forgive me for being slow to acknowledge your out-of-the-ordinary methods. And open my mind and heart to your message. Ultimately it's all good news and I'm going to move with you. Amen.

Listening to Jesus

Transfiguration Sunday

Doom to you! You pretend to have the inside track. You shut God out and work behind the scenes, Plotting the future as if you knew everything, acting mysterious, never showing your hand. ~ Isaiah 29:15 (MSG)

Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice. ~ John 18:37(CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Those who believe in the value of truth will disregard their arrogant impulses and instead listen to Jesus.

PRAYER:

Gracious Jesus, you are the way the truth and the life! Thank you for providing the truth that allows us to live well and move smoothly on the way through life. I accept as truth who you are, what you've done, and what you say. But sometimes my arrogance gets the best of me and I try to plot my own course for life. It's not that I completely ignore you or your truth but I become over-confident of my own abilities to make my way and I sort'a forget that you are talking. Give me ears to hear and a heart to receive your voice. I'm going to let you transform me into an active listener. Amen.