World-wide praise

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.~ Psalm 66:8-9 (NLT)

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. ~ Ephesians 1:12 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Everyone in the world is called to honor Christ.

PRAYER:

God, you are worthy of all honor and respect from all people everywhere. Forgive me for acting as though I and my clan are more special and that we are the only ones honoring Christ in the proper way. Give me a fresh vision of your work around the world. I want to be a part of the world-wide choir singing the praise of Jesus Christ. Amen.

All people

Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! ~ Psalm 117:1 (MSG)

There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us. ~ Ephesians 4:6 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Our connection with God is the one thing we all have in common.

PRAYER:

God, you are our all-in-all. There is no one -- no thing like you. You are our common connection. Remind me of that when I become super competative as I am prone to do. I forget that people who are different are merely a unique expression of your creativity -- yet you still live in us all. I am going to work for unity. Amen.

Freedom

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. ~ Ezekiel 36:26a (NLT)

Now that you have been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. ~ Romans 6:18 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God sets us free to live new lives that are in harmony with him and his ways.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sending your Son, Christ Jesus, to pay the ransom that has released us from bondage to sin. It is a joy to be free - - although I admit that I do not take full advantage of that freedom. Continue to re-form me from the inside to the outside. I'm going to live as free person who honors you. Amen.

Nurturing faith

Remember the prior things—from long ago; I am God, and there’s no other. I am God! There’s none like me... ~ Isaiah 46:9 (CEB)

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. ~ Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

From the beginning God has been nurturing our faith.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, it is so tempting to see faith as originating in ourselves. Sometimes I even have a tinge of pride about my spiritual progress. Help me to see more clearly how it all begins and progresses with you. Thank you for nurturing my faith. I am going to keep the focus on you. Amen.