Turning

Yes, I confess my wrongdoing; I’m worried about my sin. ~ Psalm 38:18 (CEB)

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

When we distance ourselves from the wrongdoing that has shown up in our lives we are back on the road to salvation.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord God, for working out salvation for us so we can turn and follow you. I confess that I am stuck on some sins in my life -- things which I can't shake. And in saying that, I am acknowledging that I do wrong and that I need help in making things right. I can't do it but I know that you can; and I am going to turn and trust you. I pray in the name of our Savior Christ Jesus. Amen.

Humility

You have everything backward!
     You treat the potter as a lump of clay.
Does a book say to its author,
     “He didn’t write a word of me”?
Does a meal say to the woman who cooked it,
     “She had nothing to do with this”?
~ Isaiah 29:16 (MSG)

And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another. ~ 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

We get ahead in life by approaching situations, others, and God with unusual humility.

PRAYER:

God, you are amazing. Even though you are the only one worthy of all honor, you still humbled yourself to become one of us. Thank you for the new life secured through the sacrifice of Christ. I want to be like him. But I struggle with humility. I want to be in charge. I want things to go the way that I think they should go. Help me to submit my ego and over-confidence in my understanding to your will and direction. I'm going to take on the day dressed in humility. Amen.

Tune into God

Everything about the Lord is right and just. He is filled to the brim with love. ~ Psalm 145:17 (ABP)

We haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. ~ Colossians 1:9b (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

Tune into God so that you can live a full life.

PRAYER:

God, we are grateful for Jesus who is the overflow expression of your love and justice -- your kindness -- your wisdom. He shows us how you think and operate. Yet, we confess that we allow ourselves to become distracted from the goal of becoming Christ-shaped people. Re-form us so that the things which are important to you become the things which are important to us. Use even the stressful and challenging times to help us tune into you. I'm looking forward to living a life filled to the brim with your love. Amen.

Creative Generosity

You’re the one,
   God, you alone;
You made the heavens,
   the heavens of heavens, and all angels;
The earth and everything on it,
   the seas and everything in them;
You keep them all alive;
   heaven’s angels worship you!
~ Nehemiah 9:6 (MSG)

But he showed that he was there by the good things he did. God sends rain from heaven and makes your crops grow. He gives food to you and makes your hearts glad. ~ Acts 14:17 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

Creation is evidence of God's creative generosity.

PRAYER:

God, you're THE ONE -- you alone. Thank you for all that you do for us. Thank you for the world in which we get to live. We confess a certain indifference to that very creation. We've become exploitive rather than creative. Renew your creativity in me so that as I begin to wonder again at the creation I might honor you the creator. Amen.