Trust, don't worry

My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever. ~ Psalm 73:26 (CEV)

That night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, “Don’t worry! ~ Acts 23:11a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Trust in the Lord no matter what happens.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for standing by us even when life is difficult. Sometimes I forget that you're there and I try to carry on like I have to get through it all on my own. Gently remind me of your powerful presence. I'm not going to worry. Amen.

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.