God is faithful

The 4th Sunday after the Epiphany

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced. ~ Isaiah 50:7 (NRSV)

God has stood by me, just as he promised, and I’m standing here saying what I’ve been saying to anyone, whether king or child, who will listen. ~ Acts 26:22 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

God is faithful to us so we can act boldly.

PRAYER:

Thank you, gracious God, for being faithful and loyal to us. You don't ever let us down, although I admit that way at times when things don't go the way I want them to go. Help me to catch a glimpse of you standing here by me. I'm going to allow your faithfulness to change me so that I am standing by you. Amen.

Well-being

Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. ~ Isaiah 48:18 (NLT)

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

God gave us Christ for our well-being.

PRAYER:

Thank you, dear God, for the peace and wholeness that you gently pour into my life. You sent Christ to make our lives better. But we still don't "get it." We've turned him into a weapon to use in wars advancing our personal or political agendas. Help me to avoid all that craziness so that through my connection with Christ I experience his total peace and everything that flows with it. Amen.

Outsource your worry to God

I’ve been praying all this time, telling the Lord about my problems. ~ 1 Samuel 1:15b (CEV)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

Let God do all your worrying.

PRAYER:

Caring Father, thank you for listening to my rambling concerns. I take on too much worry -- thinking that I'm so powerful I can actually change the situation. In my moments of anxiety help me to see who is really in charge and who has the ultimate power over the situation. I'm going to let you do all my worrying. Amen.

No favoritism

Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right. ~ Leviticus 19:15 (MSG)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ~ James 2:1 (NIV)

KEY THOUGHT:

Favoritism is inconsistent with our faith.

PRAYER:

I'm grateful, God, that you care about all people -- that you have shown favor to someone as undeserving as me. I confess that I too easily let public opinion influence me. Help me to recognize justice and fairness. I'm going to focus on pleasing you, for yours is the opinion that counts. Amen.