Pondering God stuff

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. ~ Psalm 77:11-12 (NLT)

Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ~ Luke 2:19 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

When we ponder what God has done our relational connection with him is stregthened.

PRAYER:

Dear God, there is so much to remember. Your activity in the world has been great and awesome. Help me to think often on what you've done. As things are, I fill my mind with unhealthy distractions that keep me from deep thinking and deeper appreciation of you. I'm going to pour myself into thinking about you. Amen.

Discerning

Can humans make their own gods? If so, they are not gods at all! ~ Jeremiah 16:20a (CEB)

Don’t let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but they are only human teachings. They come from the powers of this world and not from Christ. ~ Colossians 2:8 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Don't be fooled by counterfeit influences.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for being the real thing -- as demonstrated by Jesus. I like to think that I'm smart enough and strong enough that I could avoid the fake God's of life. But I'm probably overconfident. Grant me some humility so that I can be better positioned to discern the genuine from the fake. Amen.

Understanding

The Lord our God hasn’t explained the present or the future, but he has commanded us to obey the laws he gave to us and our descendants. ~ Deuteronomy 29:29 (CEV)

Then they (the Samaritans) said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” ~ John 4:42 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Understanding comes through experience with the Lord.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for making yourself known -- especially through Jesus. I, too, believe that he is the Savior of the world. Help me to make him known to others. Amen.

Honor and humility

You are the one we trust to bring about justice; above all else we want your name to be honored. ~ Isaiah 26:8 (CEV)

Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. ~ 1 Peter 5:6 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God eventually honors us when we focus on honoring him by humbly embracing his agenda.

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to honor you. But I want it to be more than words and songs. Those are good but I need a new and humble approach to life. I'm afraid of asking you for humility -- but I'm going to trust you to teach me in the right way. So I am going to ask anyway. I want to make sure that you and your name are properly recognized. Amen.