Strange ideas

Call in the astrologers and stargazers. They’re good at this. Surely they can work up something!

Fat chance. You’d be grasping at straws that are already in the fire,
A fire that is even now raging. ~ Isaiah 47:13-14 (MSG)

Don’t be misled by the many strange teachings out there. It’s a good thing for the heart to be strengthened by grace ... ~ Hebrews 13:9 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is no end to the harebrained experts who would love to distract us from the grace we receive through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER
Kind God, thank you for sending Christ into the world to set things right. I'm grateful to be a part of his plan. I confess, though that I'm easily distracted by some of the looney experts who are looking for their own following. Help me to discern truth from error and to keep my gaze fixed on Christ Jesus. I'm going to look to him as my guide and guru. Amen.

Unending grace

You will know that I am the LORD... when I have honored my name by treating you mercifully in spite of your wickedness. ~ Ezekiel 20:44 (NLT)

Jesus: "The thing about God is that he is always good and kind -- even to ungrateful and cruel people." ~ Luke 6:35 (ABP)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is no cap on God's grace.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the grace that you extend to me -- even when I continue to mess up my life and sometimes the lives of those around me. Forgive me for allowing my ego to govern the way I share that kindness with others. I pray for all those who cause me problems -- my neighbors and family members who are such a pain. Help me to extend the grace I've received to them. Amen.

God's awareness

You are aware of all the ways of humanity... ~ Jeremiah 32:19 (CEB)

We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, but especially of those who have faith. ~ 1 Timothy 4:10 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Put your trust in God because he sees and acts on our behalf.

PRAYER
Good God, nothing escapes your notice, yet you still love us. That boggles my mind. Forgive me for hesitating in my trust. I get overwhelmed by circumstances and start to wonder if anyone knows what's going on. Stir anew faith -- trust in your awareness and compassion. I'm going to move forward with hope in Christ Jesus who conquered death and who will overcome the craziness of the world around me. Amen.

Holy and whole

The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

GOD guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
~ Psalm 121:7 (MSG)

Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God keeps us holy and whole.*

PRAYER
Glorious and powerful God, thank you for the protective bubble that you place around my life. You're safeguarding my soul so that I can remain spiritually healthy and totally dedicated to serving you. I confess, though, that I get restless at times and that I let foreign operatives into my life through the back door. Help me to relax in your care and to stay away from that door. I'm going to trust you to keep me holy and whole. Amen.

*Thanks to the late Eugene Peterson for "holy and whole" as it appears in The Message version of 1 Thessalonians 5:23.