Rejoice

My heart rejoices in the Lord! ~ 1 Samuel 2:1a (NLT)

Although you’ve never seen him (that is, Jesus), you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. ~ 1 Peter 1:8 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Let the joy that comes from the Lord wash away the challenges that hold you back.

 PRAYER

Glorious God, thank you for intervening in my life. Even though I love you, I am hesitant to express my joy. I'm worried that people will think I'm some kind of religious nutcase. Help me to grow thick and indifferent skin so that I can freely express the joy that is waiting to bubble out of my heart. I'm going to start by singing -- even though I have trouble carrying a tune. It's going to be okay. Amen.

Boldly

Don’t tremble with fear! Didn’t I tell you long ago? Didn’t you hear me? I alone am God— no one else is a mighty rock. ~ Isaiah 44:8 (CEV)

And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. ~ Matthew 10:27

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Be bold in sharing what God has said to us.

PRAYER

Lord, I delight in your Word -- your message of hope. But I am bashful when it comes to talking about it. I know that you want me to share the good news that you have given to us. But I also know that it sounds kind of crazy to people. And I'm not so eager to offer further explainations to a Facebook world where people have become experts at flaming everyone with whom they disagrees. Fill me with the confidence that flows from the hope of the gospel so that I can speak clearly and boldly. Amen.

Care for one another

Pentecost

Doom to those who acquire house after house, who annex field to field until there is no more space left and only you live alone in the land. ~ Isaiah 5:8 (CEB)

We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:13 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Instead of taking advantage of our neighbors the right thing is look out for each other -- even those who are different from us.

PRAYER

Father God, when Jesus came into the world to be our neighbor he set aside the advantages of his status and power. Thank you for honoring him. I confess that I am slow to give up privileges in order to better others. I shrewdly seek my own advantage whenever I can. Yet, I know that I need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Holy Spirit, change me, please. I want to be a part of the radical care movement associated with your kingdom. Amen.

Sincere

Balaam answered, “Even if Balak offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I wouldn’t do anything to disobey the Lord my God. ~ Numbers 22:18 (CEV)

We aren’t like so many people who hustle the word of God to make a profit. We are speaking through Christ in the presence of God, as those who are sincere and as those who are sent from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:17 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We handle God's message with total sincerity.

PRAYER

Lord, your Word is a great gift to us. Please forgive me for using my limited knowledge to make myself look good or for other forms of personal gain. Shape me into a sincere and accurate communicator of your message -- for the sake of my neighbor and myself. I'm going to allow Christ to speak and live through me. Amen.