Salvation for all

Then I will teach wrongdoers your ways, and sinners will come back to you. ~ Psalm 51:13 (CEB)

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ~ 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God desires salvation for all people .

PRAYER:

Thank you, God for being our rescuer. I wish that I could whole-heartedly desire the same for all. But there are people that, truth be told, I'd enjoy seeing escorted to hell. Replace my wishes with your passion. I want the passion of Christ the Savior to replace that of me the hard hearted judge. Amen.

Patient endurance

Abraham’s servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the Lord had chosen. ~ Genesis 24:21 (CEV)

You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. ~ Hebrews 10:36 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

Patient endurance is necessary if we are going to do God's will.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the way that you are patient with me. I am the kind of person who expects to see quick results or I am inclined to move onto the next new thing. Fill me with the patience that can only come from you -- the patience which leads to endurance when things get difficult. I am going to develop the patience of Jesus. Amen.

Badness

I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:29 (CEV)

You can tell what they are by what they do. ~ Matthew 7:16a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We are often more depraved than we're ready to admit.

PRAYER:

God, I am grateful for the wonderful way that you created us and how you pronounced us "good" along with the rest of creation. But somewhere along the way we've really messed up. Help me to own up to my own sinfulness. Through the gallant act of Christ repair the good in me so that my life starts bearing good fruit. Amen.

Sent to tell

...by proving what I can do. I will send the survivors to Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, Javan, and to the distant islands. I will send them to announce my wonderful glory to nations that have never heard about me. ~ Isaiah 66:19 (CEV)

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God sends people out to share his message.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for including me in your world and for giving me a speaking assignment. I confess, though, that I allow myself to become distracted and that I often don't get around to what's important. Help me to refocus my life so that I'm all about telling others the story of what Jesus has done. I'm going to make sure that those around me who have never heard will do so through me. Amen.