Revenge

LENT

Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the Lord and he will make it right. ~ Proverbs 20:22 (GNT)

Make sure that no one repays the wrong that has been done to them. Those who do that are themselves in the wrong. Rather "repay" the evil doers with good deeds. Make this your practice, both among those in the church and those outside the church. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

Shower good on those who do you wrong.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for being so gracious but this is so hard. How can you expect us to do good to those who do bad to us? I feel the need to payback the bad things so they learn to stop doing wrong -- and because it is such a satisfying feeling to topple bad people. But I know that justice needs to be left in your hands and so I am asking you to give me self-control and empathy toward my enemies. I really want to treat evil people in the same way that Jesus treated the bad people of his day. Amen.

Compassionate guidance

LENT

"Heaven’s my throne, earth is my footstool. What sort of house could you build for me? What holiday spot reserve for me? I made all this! I own all this!" God’s Decree. "But there is something I’m looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say..." ~ Isaiah 66:1-2 (MSG)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ~ Matthew 9:36 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God is guiding his lost people.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, you are the dilegent shepherd who looks out for his sheep. You offer wisdom and guidance that is way more advanced than anything anyone has ever heard. I still enjoy wandering too much -- looking for ways to satisfy my curiosity and to build my own personal kingdom. Please keep an eye on me. Remind me that I am not helplessly destined to live this way. I'm going to trust in your compassionate guidance. Amen.

God remains faithful

THE 3rd SUNDAY IN LENT

My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in. ~ Psalm 27:10 (MSG)

We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God will not abandon us.

PRAYER:

Lord, the world has become a troubling place. And I find it hard to know how much I should trust anyone. There have been some really major deceptions in my lifetime. Please save me from the despair that comes with taking too much on my own shoulders. You, Lord, remain faithful. I'm going to put my faith in you and trust that my faith in you will grow. Amen.

God speaks

LENT

The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. ~ Ezekiel 2:2 (NLT)

The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”

“I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.” ~ John 4:25-23 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is the whole story of God -- in the flesh -- and he has arrived!

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world and into my life. I need to listen more carefully to his words. I need help tuning out all the other voices so that I can stand with you. Amen.