Thank God!

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. ~ Psalm 111:1 (MSG)

And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! ~ Colossians 3:16 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Thank God!

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm really grateful for all that you do for me -- except when I am not. That is, I tend to forget about your kindness and generosity as I'm pursuing my own agenda. Help me to cultivate thankfulness. Refresh the song in my heart so that I'm wisely pursuing your agenda rather than my own. I'm going to sing out to you -- for you are so very generous. Amen.

Peace

And he will be the source of peace. ~ Micah 5:5 (NLT)

I pray that the Lord, who gives peace, will always bless you with peace. May the Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Expect peace to flow from the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, your very presence establishes peace in the midst of a conflicted world. Yet we're so dense that we try to make peace through every way but the obvious. Help me to be an agent of your peace. Give me the words to proclaim your presence and declare the arrival of your unique approach to peace. I'm going to be a Jesus-defined peacemaker. I'm going to be an instrument of your blessing. Amen.

Strong in love

The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. ~ Deuteronomy 6:5 (CEB)

Paul writes: I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. ~ Ephesians 3:16-17 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

We can love completely when by faith we allow Christ to live in our hearts.

PRAYER:

Lord God, I'm grateful that there is more than enough love in you to go around for everyone. I pray that Christ will live in my heart so that I can grow in love. I really need a growth spurt because I'm not feeling full of love right now. But I'm trusting that you will make it happen through him. Amen.

Bitterness

If even one of you worships idols, you will be like the root of a plant that produces bitter, poisonous fruit. ~ Deuteronomy 29:18 (CEV)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Get rid of the bitter and poisonous things in your life.

PRAYER:

Gracious Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Too easily, I descend the downward spiral of slander about my offender. I argue for my own innocence and righteousness. Bitterness takes root, and I ruminate until pain is all I see. Uproot the bitterness in my heart. Plant your loving kindness and forgiveness within me, so I might reconcile with my offender. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)