Money

Stir in me an eagerness for your direction that will replace the desire for more money, properties, and stuff. ~ Psalm 119:36 (ABP)

The love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much that they have given up their faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.

Timothy, you belong to God, so keep away from all these evil things. Try your best to please God and to be like him. Be faithful, loving, dependable, and gentle. ~ 1 Timothy 6:10-11 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Love God and his ways rather than wealth.

PRAYER:

Generous God, you are the source of all that is good in life. You have even given me some money to manage on your behalf. Sometimes, though, I get lost in the idea of what money can do for me. I fantasize about being rich. But somehow I never get around to fantasizing about being more faithful to you. God, keep me real and in touch with your priorities for my life. I'm not going to worry about getting rich and I'll pour all that energy into becoming a faithful, loving, dependable, and gentle follower of Jesus. Amen.

Mysterious God

THE 10th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

People of Israel, your God is a mystery, though he alone can save. ~ Isaiah 45:15 (CEV)

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like. ~ John 1:18 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The paradox is that when Jesus, the one who most clearly shows us what God is like, reveals his salvation, we see that God is even more of a mystery to us.

PRAYER:

God, after all the study and contemplation I feel like I should better understand you. But the better I know you the less I understand you. Help me to embrace the mystery of who you are and how you operate. I'm going to live by faith. Thank you for your mysterious love and grace. Amen.

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.