Experts

You are weary from all your consultations... ~ Isaiah 47:13 (CEB)

About this time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus called a child over and had the child stand near him. Then he said:
     I promise you this. If you don’t change
    and become like a child, you will never
    get into the kingdom of heaven.
~ Matthew 18:1-3 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Consult the humble if you want to know what God is up to.

PRAYER

Gracious God, you are worthy of all praise, for you sent your Son into the world, setting aside his position of power, to serve and die among us -- and for us. I confess that I revere the opinions of the world "experts" -- of which there seems to be no end -- rather than looking to the humble for direction. I, too, am weary of all these pundit consultations. Help me to focus on Jesus and the people he is drawing to his side. I'm going to let you shape my perspective on the situation. Amen.

Love

Hatred stirs up trouble;
     love overlooks the wrongs
          that others do.
~ Proverbs 10:12 (CEV)

If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. ~ John 13:35 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Loving actions, words, and attitudes characterize the true follower of Christ Jesus.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for leading the way with your love -- for sending your Son into the world to save us and to draw us into your plan to transform the world through your love. Forgive me for the half-hearted and hit-miss way in which I go about loving others. I'm not really loving others in the way that you love us. But I'm teachable -- I hope -- and I'm counting on you to complete the transformation in my life so that I'm more fully aligned with your love agenda. Amen.

Special

Moses said to the Lord, "Don’t forget, this is your people, your responsibility." ~ Exodus 33:13 (MSG)

God called all of you through our good news so you could possess the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We're called out to find our purpose in Christ rather than the agenda of the world.

PRAYER
Holy God, you have called me to be your special child, but sometimes I just want to blend in with the rest of the world. I am sorry I don't always consider this chosen status as a blessing. Draw me back to you. Wash me clean. Make me wholly yours to live now and forever in Christ our Lord. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

God's goodness

The Lord is good!
His love and faithfulness
     will last forever.
~ Psalm 100:5 (CEV)

God our Savior showed us
     how good and kind he is.
He saved us because of his mercy,
     and not because
     of any good things
     that we have done.

God washed us by the power
     of the Holy Spirit.
He gave us new birth
     and a fresh beginning.
~ Titus 3:4-5 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Recount all the ways that God has been and is good to us.

PRAYER
God, I want to acknowledge your goodness to us and especially to me. I admit that I let that reality slip from my mind as I struggle with all the challenges of life. Yet I know that recounting your goodness is what will get me through the challenges. Help me to create an ongoing mental list that revolves around your generosity. I'm going to take on this day armed with gratitude for your love, faithfulness, and goodness. Amen.