Foreigners

Don’t mistreat foreigners. You were foreigners in Egypt, and you know what it is like. ~ Exodus 23:9 (CEV)

That night, Joseph got up and took his wife and the child to Egypt... ~ Matthew 2:14 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus was a refugee and so we treat all displaced people as though we were treating him.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Jesus, for your kindness toward displaced people. We are all subject to displacement and some of our families have been forced to move. I confess, though, that sometimes I have trouble treating people who are different from me with respect. I worry about their influence and their secret agendas to change us. Save me from my fear and help me to grow in my love for foreigners. Because of Jesus, I'm going to treat all with dignity -- whether they deserve it or not. Amen.

Responsiveness

Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel answered, “Yes? I’m here.” ~ 1 Samuel 3:4 (MSG)

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. ~ Mark 1:19-20 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We are at our best when we immediately respond to the call of God.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for calling people like me -- weak people, broken people, young people, old people, distracted people... You call us to follow you and act on your agenda for your world. Sometimes, though, I fill my life with so much noise that I don't really hear you. Maybe I even do that so that I don't have to respond to your call and I can continue on with a "normal" life. Help me to be receptive to your interruptions. I'm going to reduce the noise and open my ears so that I can quickly respond to your voice. Amen.

Jesus feeds

God spoke to Moses, “I’ve listened to the complaints of the Israelites. Now tell them: ‘At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you’ll eat your fill of bread; and you’ll realize that I am God, your God.’” ~ Exodus 16:11-12 (MSG)

Andrew said to Jesus: “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?”

The ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to have everyone sit down. ~ John 6:9-10a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus feeds his people in ways unexpected.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have given me so much. I have no reason to complain or to expect more. But I'm never satisfied. I'm eager for more -- to the point where I'm fat. Save me from unhealthy desires so that I can serve you without distraction. Amen.

Speak out

Jerusalem, on your walls I have stationed guards, whose duty it is to speak out day and night, without resting. ~ Isaiah 62:6a (CEV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God has called us to go and speak out about Jesus.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for giving me a job. I want to make your message know throughout the entire word, but I am distracted by all the things happening in my life. Send your Holy Spirit on me to refocus my energy and empower me to do what needs to be done. I'm going to become your most faithful messenger. Amen.