God reigns

The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

LORD God, you created heaven and earth by your great power and outstretched arm; nothing is too hard for you! ~ Jeremiah 32:17 (CEB)

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God reigns over everything and he's assigned us to share that good news.

PRAYER
LORD God, thank you for including us and giving us responsibility as you oversee the world. I confess that I don't always prioritize that responsibility. I let my own life preferences get in the way of yours. Help me to sort through all of that so my life is totally aligned with your priorities. I'm going to share the good news of Jesus and the kingdom of God way of life. Amen.

Live wisely

The earth and everything on it
     belong to the LORD.
The world and its people
     belong to him.
~ Psalm 24:1 (CEV)

So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. ~ Ephesians 5:15 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make the most of your life by living wisely -- as someone who belongs to God.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for creating a world where your blessings can be shared. Forgive me for mistaking my foolishness for wisdom, and for calling your wisdom folly. In the wisdom of your cross, you have claimed me as a forgiven child of God. Teach me to live under your cross for this world and all who dwell here. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

God listens

Hear my prayer, LORD!
Listen closely to my cry for help!
Please don’t ignore my tears!
~ Psalm 39:12 (CEB)

The Canaanite woman moved in closer to Jesus, dropped to her knees, and started begging, “Please, Master, you've got to help me!” ~ Matthew 15:25 (ABP)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God will not ignore your cries for help.

PRAYER
Help me, Lord! I know that I'm not perfect and that I don't really deserve your attention. But ultimately you're really all I've got. Help me to remember this in the heat of the moment -- the moment of desperation. I can be so forgetful and tend to freeze in panic when I'm facing challenges. I'm going to turn to you for relief. Amen.

Promise keeper

The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever. ~ Genesis 9:13 (CEV)

God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.

We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. ~ Hebrews 6:18 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make God's promises your hope.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the hope that you pour into our world through your promises. I acknowledge that a lot of my hope is built on less reliable sources. I'm easily taken in by promises of quick and easy -- new and improved. Help me to shift away from shallow solutions and to lean again on your solid promise of new life in Christ -- in the new creation which you are establishing. The next time I see a rainbow I'm going to remember that you are a promise keeper. Amen.