Separating real from fake

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
   a puzzle that no one can figure out.
But I, God, search the heart
   and examine the mind.
I get to the heart of the human.
I get to the root of things.
I treat them as they really are,
   not as they pretend to be.”
~ Jeremiah 17:9-10 (MSG)

Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. ~ 1 John 3:19-20 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

God alone can separate what is real from what is fake -- even at the deepest levels.

PRAYER:

God, I feel better knowing that you understand what no one else can. It's a bit scary, though, because there are dark parts of me that even I don't grok. Help me to trust in your understanding and your fairness. I'm going to lean on you -- and hope that my faith in you will cause a realignment of my actions to be consistent with yours -- not out of fear but gratitude. Amen.

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.