God's word

And God said, “Good eyes! I’m sticking with you. I’ll make every word I give you come true.” ~ Jeremiah 1:12 (MSG)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. ~ Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The truth of God's word is so powerful that it gives us life.

PRAYER:

Powerful God, thank you for your powerful word -- your message to us. We are especially thankful for Jesus, who is the living word who cuts to the heart of all things. So, I am trusting in you and your word -- albeit my trust is imperfect. But the good news is that you aren't looking for perfect trust. It's enough to have trust because your word itself is alive and powerful. Amen.

Obey

Once you corrected me for not obeying you, but now I obey. ~ Psalm 119:67 (CEV)

Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me... ~ John 14:23 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Obedience is the desired response for those who "get" Jesus.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, you pour your energy into training us so that we can become faithful followers of Jesus -- people who do what he asks. I confess, though, that I am a lot better at talking about Jesus than I am in obeying him. Save me from fooling myself into believing that this is "good enough." I want to be a solid and committed follower of Jesus who obeys every bit of instruction that he gives. I'm not going to backdown. Amen.

The giving God

Every mountain and hill may disappear. But I will always be kind and merciful to you; I won’t break my agreement to give your nation peace. ~ Isaiah 54:10 (CEV)

God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. ~ John 3:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

You can count on the gift of God's love and mercy.

PRAYER:

You are a gift-giving God. When I read about all the "gods" people look to, it seems that they are all out to get from the people. But you are out to give -- even to the point of "giving" your only Son to establish eternal lives of peace. Forgive me for taking your giving and your gifts for granted. Help me to find new and appropriate ways to share your gifts with others. I want to see others come to faith in you, the giving God. Amen.

Men and Women

God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. ~ Genesis 1:27 (CEB)

However, woman isn’t independent from man, and man isn’t independent from woman in the Lord. As woman came from man so also man comes from woman. But everything comes from God. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Because together we share in the image of God, women and men should live in mutual respect of each other.

PRAYER:

In your wisdom, God, you created man and woman interdependent on each other and dependent on you. I confess that sometimes I make too easy judgments based on simple appearance and action. Please forgive me. Help me to see people through the eyes of Christ. Only then will I love others as you love me. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)