Press on

You teach me the way of life. ~ Psalm 16:11 (CEB)

I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. ~ Philippians 3:13b (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

Through Christ we press on to what he has in store for us.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Teacher-God, for the wise instruction. Forgive me for my hesitation and reluctance to move forward. Help me to extend my gaze forward into the territories which require me to exercise faith. I'm going to trust that you will continue to lead me. Amen.

Covenant ministers

Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility." ~ Genesis 17:9 (NLT)

He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

God has called us to serve him as ministers of his new Spirit-powered covenant.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for the privilege of being a minister of your new covenant. Thank you for the joy I experience when sharing this with family and friends. Make me competent to do this work and not to depend on my on own abilities. I don't want to get ahead of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Blessed

Christ the King Sunday

If you obey and do right, a light will show you the way and fill you with happiness. ~ Psalm 97:11 (CEV)

Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. ~ Matthew 5:4 (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

God fills his obedient followers with deep joy.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you that your joy is available to us even when there is so much grief in our lives -- perhaps even because of it. Forgive me for thinking that I need to get myself into a calm and drama-free spot before I can be blessed. Fill me with your blessings -- the joy of knowing that because of Jesus everything will turn out alright in the end. I'm going to face all the troubles with a new confidence. Amen.

Shepherd

You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. ~ Psalm 23:1 (CEV)

But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants... and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:4a,10 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

God provides everything we need.

PRAYER:

I'm grateful, Lord, for your ongoing care and provision. I confess to getting frustrated when what you do doesn't line up closely with my expectations. Help me to form new expectations built on faith in your shepherding skills. I'm going to live the joyous and content life of someone living under the watchful eye of the Good Sheperd. Amen.