Control

Job said to God: My ears had heard about you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I relent and find comfort on dust and ashes. ~ Job 42:5-6 (CEB)

Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried. ~ Matthew 26:75 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Sometimes the most healing comes through our sorrow over our sin.

PRAYER:

Merciful God, you embrace us even when we fail. We even experience your loving embrace when we acknowledge our sin. But I'm slow to admit that my sin is more than I can handle. I really want to feel like I'm in control. Grant me the bold faith necessary to repent and return control of my life back to you. I'm looking forward to enjoying your healing embrace. Amen.

Called to go

If you fully obey the Lord your God... Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. ~ Deuteronomy 28: 1a, 6 (NLT)

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. ~ Acts 16:9-10 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

When you do what God says to do, you can expect him to bless your efforts.

PRAYER:

God, you are amazing. You call us to go in unexpected directions and to serve you among unexpected people. That is so exciting. Although, I confess that I have stuffed my brain with so much junk that I might not even notice the man in my dream breaking through with fresh direction. Come into my head and push out all the unnecessary garbage. I'm going to tune into you so that I can obey you. Amen.

God's power

Lord, tell me when the end will come and how long I will live. Let me know how long I have. ~ Psalm 39:4 (NCV)

Don’t be afraid! I am the first, the last, and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead. ~ Revelation 1:17b-18 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Don't be afraid. God's power extends even over the realm of death.

PRAYER:

God, thank you for using your power on our behalf. We don't deserve your kindness. I don't really trust you enough. I find satisfaction in worrying about the future. It gives me a sense of power and control. Please free me from all the worry and fear that hinders the way I live. I'm going to put my faith in you -- so much so that even death itself won't bother me. Amen.

Belonging

This is the temple where you have chosen to be worshiped... 1 Kings 8:29a (CEV)

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. ~ Ephesians 2:19 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God opens the door to his household so we can all belong.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have kindly welcomed us into your presence -- and your family. You don't treat us as people often treat foreigners. I don't realize the significance of your hospitality. And I certainly haven't yet figured out that I need to practice the same kind of hospitality myself. Help me to become a truly welcoming person. I want to work with you to welcome others into your family. Amen.