Mystery solver

The 4th Sunday in Lent

There is a God in heaven who solves mysteries... ~ Daniel 2:28a (MSG)

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. ~ Colossians 2:3 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

Christ is our window into the mysteries of God and his creation.

PRAYER:

Glorious God, you are the source of all knowledge -- of all that is wise. I'm honored that you would welcome me in your circle of friends. That, of course, is a mystery, too. I confess my complacency. Yes, I'm eager to tap into your treasury of knowledge and wisdom -- when it appears to be to my immediate benefit. Help me, then, to go deeper into what you choose to make available. I want to live my life in light of who you are and what you know. Amen.

God makes peace

The Lord said: I’ll make the country a place of peace—you’ll be able to go to sleep at night without fear... ~ Leviticus 26:6 (MSG)

Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. ~ Philippians 4:7 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

You can live with courage when you allow the peace of Christ to control your life.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for making peace while most of the world wants to make trouble. I confess that I let it all get to me at times. Forgive me for failing to lean on you and flood my life with the peace that flows from Christ. I'm going to be soaking in your blessings! Amen!

Overcoming

In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock. ~ Psalm 27:5 (CEV)

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

Consider all the troubles in your life to be opportunities for the power of God to shine.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm grateful that you are way more powerful than all the problems I face. I wish that I'd recognize this in the instant that each new problem emerges. But I'm dense and miss connecting the dots. I allow myself to get caught up in the drama of the moment. Settle me down and through the Holy Spirit give me clarity of thought so that I, too, can take it all in stride -- for the honor of Christ Jesus who overcomes all. Amen.

Still under warranty

Hazael king of Aram badgered and bedeviled Israel all through the reign of Jehoahaz. But God was gracious and showed mercy to them. He stuck with them out of respect for his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He never gave up on them, never even considered discarding them, even to this day. ~ 2 Kings 13:23 (MSG)

God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded. ~ Romans 11:29 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

We should embrace God's promises and his calling because they will never be rescinded.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for your totally true and trustworthy promises. Thank you for including me in them even when I fail to live my life in light of them. I've got my own agenda that tries to create an alternative reality. Use your promises to transform me and the direction of my life. I'm going to be about your business. Amen.