Remember

After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. ~ Judges 2:10 (NLT)

Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news. ~ 2 Timothy 2:8 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Remember what Christ has done to live well.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for the good news of Jesus' resurrection. I know that my wellbeing is rooted in my faithful remembrance of that key event. However, I tend to forget even important matters -- especially when I allow myself to get distracted. Renew my focus on the good news. I'm never going to foget. Amen.

Angels

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. ~ Psalm 91:11-12 (NLT)

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. ~ Hebrews 1:14 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God uses angels to care for us.

PRAYER:

God, I admit it -- I don't think about angels too often. Although, I am guessing that they have to work overtime to keep me safe. But maybe the angels are mostly interested in focusing all the attention back on you -- the source of the care and protection. Thank you for sending them! Amen!

Look to Jesus for wisdom

This also comes from the Lord of heavenly forces, who gives wondrous counsel and increases wisdom. ~ Isaiah 28:29 (CEB)

Jesus replied, "You surely know that the Scriptures say, 'The stone that the builders tossed aside is now the most important stone of all...'" ~ Matthew 21:42 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Even though Jesus has been rejected, look to him for the kind of wisdom that changes everything.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sending Jesus to reveal your wisdom to us. I want to acknowledge that though I trust him a lot there are still things about his wisdom which seem too hard. In that sense I'm like the builders who have rejected the cornerstone. Renew my heart and perspective so that I can fully embrace the wisdom of my Savior. I'm going to go deeper. Amen.

Forgiven

Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord. We have turned our backs on our God. ~ Isaiah 59:12b-13a (NLT)

But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. ~ 1 John 1:9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We can trust the Lord to be merciful.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are consistently merciful and kind. You do understand what is actually going on in my life. I acknowledge that I am an unworthy sinner in need of your mercy and forgiveness. I need to and want to change. Apart from you and your forgiveness that change will not happen. I am going to put my faith in you. Amen.