New life

Plow your fields,
     scatter seeds of justice,
     and harvest faithfulness.
Worship me, the Lord,
     and I will send my saving power
     down like rain.
~ Hosea 10:12 (CEV)

Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. ~ Ephesians 4:24 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Through Christ we are able to take on a new way of living -- a way defined by God's justice and faithfulness.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for the empowering work of Christ and the new life that is ours as we put our trust in him. I look back too much toward the old life -- savoring self-indulgent moments -- then gloating over the accomplishments that have gotten me past them. I'm stuck in the past. Help be to become forward thinking and moving so that I can fully mature into the new life of Christ. I'm going to let your character define me. Amen.

Salvation

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. ~ Daniel 9:7 (NLT)

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. ~ Ephesians 2:8 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Fortunately, God has set his mind to saving us, for we can't do it ourselves.

PRAYER

God, I am so grateful for the gift of salvation. I confess that I sometimes get stuck on the shame I feel over my failures. Help me to look past the shame and guilt, and to rely soley on what Christ Jesus has done on our behalf. I'm going to live in that freedom. Amen.

Confidence

God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.
~ Psalm 29:11 (MSG)

The confidence with which Peter and John spoke caught the Ruling Council by surprise. They had assumed that they were uneducated and inexperienced. But they came to realize that they had been apprenticed by Jesus. ~ Acts 4:13 (ABP)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God equips his people to carry out the assignments he gives them.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for empowering me to share your message with others. I wish that I was as confident as the apostles. I can get too caught up in the moment and lose track of you and how you work. Grant me consistent confidence so that I can stand in front of unbelievers and boldly explain the good news of Jesus and his kingdom. Amen.