God can

The Second Sunday of Easter

Understand this: I am the One and only. There is no other god. I can take life -- and give it. Likewise, I can hurt you -- and heal you. And if I turn against you, no one can protect you from me. ~ Deuteronomy 32:39 (ABP) 

Jesus said: ‘In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?”

Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” ~ Matthew 19:24-26 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God can do anything.

PRAYER:

God, you are all powerful. We see that in the resurrection. You are unstoppable! Yet, in spite of this reality, I am amazingly passive. Save me from my immature faith and my tendency to follow bunny trails which keep me from full participation in your emerging Kingdom. I am going to follow only you -- and you alone. Amen.

Safe-Passage

I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. ~ Ezra 8:21 (NLT)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:6 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

In so many ways, God provides safe-passage for those who trust him.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Jesus, for coming into the world and into my life to provide safe-passage to God's place. Because I stray from the safety of your road I need your help to keep on course. I'm glad that you are patient and eager to help. I'm going to finish the journey well. Amen.

Your diet

The Lord says, Why spend money for what isn’t food, and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest of feasts. ~ Isaiah 55:2 (CEB)

Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life. ~ John 6:27 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Pursue the Jesus-nourished life if you want a life that satisfies.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for providing all that I really need to live well. I confess, though, that I'm inclined to pursue spiritual junk food that makes me feel good for a moment but which provides no lasting satisfaction. Please continue to nag me to eat better. I need your ongoing voice in my life. I'm determined to change my diet. Amen.

Celebrate the blessings

Fill us full every morning with your faithful love so we can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long. ~ Psalm 90:14 (CEB)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. ~ Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The blessings of God stir us to celebrate.

PRAYER:

All praise to you, God. You fill our lives with more blessings than we can ever count. Yet, because your gifts are so many, I often give upon counting them. And I certainly don't get around to celebrating what I can measure. Fill me each day with a sense of your faithfuless. I know that this is possible because of the way that Christ has attached himself to me. So I will celebrate what I can count and acknowledge that your faithfulness is beyond measure. Amen.