God the helper

The Lord says: And in the same way that earlier I relentlessly pulled up and tore down, took apart and demolished, so now I am sticking with them as they start over, building and planting. ~ Jeremiah 31:28 (MSG)

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God wants to help -- not hurt us.

PRAYER:

Lord, when I see all the things going wrong it is tempting to believe that you are out to get us. I confess my faulty understanding of you and what how you do things. Help me to release all my fears and to embrace a deeper understanding of salvation. I'm going to see you as a loving helper rather than an angry police officer. Amen.

One God

I am God. That’s my name. I don’t franchise my glory, don’t endorse the no-god idols. ~ Isaiah 42:8 (MSG)

However, for us believers, There is one God the Father. All things come from him, and we belong to him. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ. All things exist through him, and we live through him. ~ 1 Corinthians 8:6 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

There is one God and we connect to him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Lord God, you have no peers. Yet you welcome us into your life through Christ Jesus. Forgive me for placing trust in lesser beings and authorities. Stir within me the kind of faith in you that can resist all usurpers. And I will honor you with all that I am. Amen.

Safe place

But the Lord is a refuge for his people, a shelter for the people of Israel. ~ Joel 3:16 (CEB)

We who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us. We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. ~ Hebrews 6:18-19 (GNB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord God is a safe place for his people.

PRAYER:

Lord, there is so much hurt and pain in my life right now. Help me to take full advantage of you as a shelter. It is so easy to try and ease the pain through forms of distraction. But I am going to trust you to shelter me. Amen.

Merciful Savior

Ash Wednesday

Smile on me. Save me with your mercy. ~ Psalm 31:16

Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed." ~ Luke 1:46-48 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is the Savior -- the expression of God's mercy.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for being the reliable Savior. You sent Jesus to rescue us. I'm so eager to accept your mercy but am slow to let it define my life. Help me to join you in smiling. I am going to seize every opportunity to acknowledge your mercy. Amen.