Those in need

The righteous know the rights of the poor. ~ Proverbs 29:7a (CEB)

God doesn’t miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you’ve shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. ~ Hebrews 6:10 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God expects us to act with empathy toward those in need.

PRAYER

Jesus, your commandment is to love God and my neighbor. Too often I'm stingy with my energy, my money, myself. Still you stay with me. You lead me to love -- to work for the good. Shine light on my neighbors, Lord, especially the poor. Help me see what's needed. Thank you for the privilege of serving your saints. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Turn around

Turn your life around! Reverse your evil ways! Why die, Israel? ~ Ezekiel 33:11 (MSG)  

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” ~ Luke 19:8 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

You can't make spiritual progress in your life if you don't first turn around.

PRAYER

Lord God, you amaze me. I want to be a part of what you're doing in the world. And I know that requires a turn around maneuver in my life. But no matter how hard I try I can't quite get the turn right. Please take control and help me complete the turn. I want to be headed in your direction. Amen.

The Spirit

You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. ~ Nehemiah 9:20 (NLT)

I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.. ~ John 14:26 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God not only sends us what we need to survive but he sends his Spirit to live among us so we can thrive.

PRAYER

Again, God, I thank you for taking care of me through this difficult time. I confess that I don't understand what's really going on and sometimes I let it all get to me. I demand more control. Calm me with your gentle Spirit so that I can begin to hear what you're saying through all of this. I trust that you, Friend, are still speaking -- even through the ancient words of scripture. Amen.

Live it!

The 6th Sunday in Eastertide

May the Lord help us obey him and follow all the laws and teachings... ~ 1 Kings 8:58a (CEV)

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 2:6-7 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Live out your faith in the ordinary -- tangible and intangible -- happenings of life.

PRAYER

Thank you, dear God, for the gift of Christ and all that he means to me. I confess, though, that at times my faith is no more than emotional attachment to him. Help me to go deeper and wider so that Christ defines every aspect -- every moment -- every thought -- every interaction -- of my life. I'm going to live according to him and it's going to spill over with more thanksgiving than I can contain. Amen.