No timidity

The man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God. ~ Genesis 3:8 (NRSV)

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. ~ Romans 8:15 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE:

Even as failures, we don't need to be timid when it comes to relating to God our Father.

PRAYER:

Kind Father, thank you for the resurrection life instituted by Christ and into which we've all been called. I confess my failure to fully embrace him and that life on a day by day basis. I'm worried that you might reject me when you see how much I fail. Help me to realize the depths of your parental love and acceptance -- even when I fail to meet your standards. Might your Spirit touch us in such a deep way that we have confidence which transcends our capabilities. That's resurrection living. Amen.

God wants to help

The 3rd Sunday in Eastertide

I begged for your help, and you answered my prayer. ~ Jonah 2:2 (CEV)

One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, “My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.” Jesus went with him... ~ Mark 5:22-24 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE:

God is simply waiting for us to ask for his help.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for being available to help. How is it that I am slow to request assistance from you until things are extremely bad. Save me from the deluded thought that I can take care of most anything on my own. I'm going to seek your help starting right now. Amen.

Mature joy

Yes, God will start enjoying you again, making things go well for you just as he enjoyed doing it for your ancestors. ~ Deuteronomy 30:9b (MSG)

Jesus said: If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. ~ John 15:10-11 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE:

God wants us to grow into his joy.

PRAYER:

Loving God, thank you for taking delight in us -- for sharing your joy with us. I confess that I am too easily satisfied with immature forms of joy that are rooted in success, fantasy, and acquisition. Help me to discover mature joy -- the developed joy that you are nurturing in me through Christ. I am going to follow your instructions to see where that leads. Amen.

God can be trusted

Don’t forget that you promised to rescue us. ~ Jeremiah 14:21b (CEV)

God can be trusted, and he chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE:

God can be trusted.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for trusting us to be partners in the work that Christ Jesus is doing. I confess that I have trust issues. I've been burned too many times -- and I've failed to be totally trustworthy myself. That makes your trust even more significant. Help me to become a trustworthy partner. I am going to trust you to make it so. Amen.