Love and power

You are Lord God All-Powerful! No one is as loving and faithful as you are. ~ Psalm 89:8 (CEV)

Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. ~ Revelation 1:5 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is our loving and powerful Savior.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, you are both loving and powerful. You didn't just post an inspirational MEME online -- but you actually had the power to do something. Thank you for your sacrifice and the freedom that is ours. I don't take full advantage of that freedom. I can be pretty casual about my relationship with you. But you still love me. So I am asking you to stir me to greater and more consistent faith. I want to be a messenger of your love and power. Amen.

God's staying power

You have been my God from the moment I was born. ~ Psalm 22:10b (NLT)

Paul writes: And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1:6 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

God is committed to us for life so it is a good idea to stay committed to him and his way of doing things for as long as we are alive.

PRAYER:

Lord, when you are committed to people, you are really committed. Forgive me for believing the lie that I tell myself -- that it's all up to me. I need constant reminding that you are present and at work in my life -- that you have given me a mission to carry out and that you are going to enable me to do so. I'm going to trust you even more. Amen.

Eager to obey

The Lord was right, but I refused to obey him. ~ Lamentations 1:18a (CEV)

God gives peace, and he raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death. Now Jesus is like a Great Shepherd whose blood was used to make God’s eternal agreement with his flock. I pray that God will make you ready to obey him and that you will always be eager to do right. May Jesus help you do what pleases God. ~ Hebrews 13:20-21a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We are at our best when we're eager to obey God.

PRAYER:

Just yet merciful God, you call us to obey you. It's for our own good and I thank you for your concern. I've been somewhat obedient. But I would not describe myself as "eager to obey." Please show me what that eagerness looks like. In your mercy help me to do what pleases you. I want to become your eager servant. Amen.

Mercy

THE 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER

God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “Hagar! What’s wrong? Don’t be afraid. God has heard the boy’s cries over there. Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation.” ~ Genesis 21:17b-18 (CEB)

Everything then depends on God’s mercy and not on what people want or do. ~ Romans 9:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Let God's mercy define the way that you approach life.

PRAYER:

Merciful Father, you include all people in your plan of salvation. Forgive my prejudices and inability to love and accept others. I rely on your grace to lead me into relationships that need compassion. Motivate me to be your faithful servant and not live in fear. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)