Promises

Now, Lord God, keep the promise forever that you made about my family and me, your servant. Do what you have said. ~ 2 Samuel 7:25 (NCV)

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

In Christ all of God's promises are fulfilled -- even exceded.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for keeping your word. I know that I take your promises casually. Help me to see how Christ, who is the fulfillment, can define my life and fill me with with purpose and significance. I trust you. Amen.

Helper

The first Sunday in Christmastide

But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! ~ Psalm 54:4 (NLT)

God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen. ~ Jude 24-25 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

The One God, who is wonderful, helps his people survive life.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for intervening and saving me when I trip and fall. Help me to make your salvation into the source of my joy. You are my helper and I'm going to happily give you credit for who you are and what you do. Amen.

Joy

Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength! ~ Nehemiah 8:10b (CEB)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. ~ Romans 15:13a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord is the source of maximum joy.

PRAYER:

God, your joy is my strength. Forgive me for taking shortcuts and trying to find joy in superficial ways. Strengthen my faith so that I can trust you to take on more joy-producing challenges. Your joy will become the source of greater strength. Amen.

Comfort

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. ~ Proverbs 15:13 (MSG)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God is the one who lifts us up.

PRAYER:

Kind God, you are the one who eases my load. I need to become better at channeling your comfort to others. I admit that sometimes I stress others out. I want to be able to appy your comfort to the people in my life. But I am going to need more of your guidance on that, please. Amen.