Faithful God

I am with you and will rescue you, declares the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 30:11 (CEB)

When I was first put on trial, no one helped me. In fact, everyone deserted me. I hope it won’t be held against them. But the Lord stood beside me. ~ 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Regardless of what happens, rest assured that you're not alone because the Lord is standing with you.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for being so loyal and faithful. You're the only one I rely on. I can't even trust myself. I tend to flake out when things go sideways. As you stand with me, prop me up so that I can stay faithful to you and those who are in need. Because of Christ, I'm going to trust you to get me through both the good and the bad times. Amen.

Instructions

The people who love your Instruction enjoy peace—and lots of it. There’s no stumbling for them! ~ Psalm 119:165 (CEB)

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. ~ Colossians 3:16 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Give Christ and his instructions free run of your life.

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the direction you have provided for my life. I confess that I don't always apply what you're teaching me. I want more control of things -- even if that doesn't make sense. That's my weakness. So I am inviting you to run free in my life -- as much as I can do at this point. And I'm counting on you to continue to expand your influence as I grow more dependent on you. I'm going to allow your instruction -- your wisdom -- to grow in my life. Peace! Amen!

Goodness

Everyone is greedy and dishonest,
     whether poor or rich.
Even the prophets and priests
     cannot be trusted.
All they ever offer
to my deeply wounded people
are empty hopes for peace.
~ Jeremiah 6:13-14 (CEV)

You can tell what a tree is like by the fruit it produces. You cannot pick figs or grapes from thornbushes. Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts. ~ Luke 6:44-45 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Ignore the glib fast-talkers and pay attention to those whose lives actually produce goodness.

PRAYER
God of truth, your word reveals my falsehood. Thank you for continuing to plant and prune, drawing forth fruit from my once-dead branches. Teach me not only to say peace, but to work to establish it throughout your creation. May I treasure the gift of the gospel above all else. May it guide my heart toward the good. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Death swallowed

He will swallow up death forever. ~ Isaiah 25:8 (CEB)*

Yes, while we are in this tent we groan, because we are weighed down. We want to be dressed not undressed, so that what is dying can be swallowed up by life. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:4 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God will swallow up all that drags us down and replace the weights with new lives.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for the promise of new life. I confess that I get weighed down by the troubles I face and forget what lies ahead. Refresh my memory regarding the victory that Christ has secured and the unencumbered life toward which we look. I'm going to live with hope. Amen.

*25:7 in some Bible versions