Overcoming suffering

THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN EASTERTIDE

I am yours—save me! ~ Psalm 119:94a (GNT)

The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” ~ John 16:33b (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus has first-hand knowledge of our suffering and has personally overcome it.

PRAYER:

Jesus, my Savior, thank you for words of hope reminding me of your great mission of love. Forgive me for turning my eyes and thoughts toward other promises of security and meaning. Thank you for suffering and understanding the temptations I also encounter, as you win the victory over evil. My life is in you forever. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

In my heart

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people...” ~ Jeremiah 31:33 (NLT)

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:3 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The foundation of our relationship with God is spelled out on our hearts.

PRAYER:

Lord, our relationship with you goes beyond a set of rules written out for us. You have planted your expectations deep inside of us so that they are a part of us. Thanks to Christ! Save me from trying to turn your instructions into another set of rules. I want to be able to follow my heart. I'm going to let Christ live in my heart -- today -- and everyday. Amen.

Blessings

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. ~ Psalm 103:2 (NLT)

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer. ~ Ephesians 1:3 (GW)

KEY IDEA:

There is no end to the blessings that God has for us.

PRAYER:

Praise you God, from whom all blessings flow... And there is no end to the good things you have for us. Often I am preoccupied with myself and that blinds me to what you are doing for me. I need to be relieved of preconceived notions of what a blessing should look like. Such ideas are really limiting. I'm going to celebrate all the blessings that come my way through Christ Jesus, my Savior, and Lord. Amen.

The Lord is loyal

While he was in jail, the Lord was with Joseph and remained loyal to him. ~ Genesis 39:20b-21a (CEB)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. ~ John 1:5 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord stays true to his people, even in the darkest of times.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm so grateful that I know that I can count on you -- even when I get in trouble -- and even if the trouble is of my own doing. Help me to quit worrying that I am going to be overcome by the darkness I encounter. Help me to trust you more fully and to take healthy risks because I know that you are right in the middle of it all with me. Or maybe I should say that I am with you. For you are already there ahead of me working out solutions to my problems even before I know that they are problems. I'm going to relax knowing that you are super loyal. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.