SERVANTS

1 CHRONICLES 28:20 (NLT)
King David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly."

1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 (CEB)
So a person should think about us this way—as servants of Christ and managers of God’s secrets.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Embrace your identity as a servant of Christ and everything that comes with it.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for including me in your workforce. It's good to have a purpose and to know that you take care of all who work for you. I confess that there are times when I feel anxiety over my ability to serve well. Help me to trust in your grace. And save me from all distractions. I'm going to live as a servant of Christ Jesus. Amen.

REAL-LIFE

PSALM 16:2 (NLT)
I said to the LORD , “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”

JOHN 17:3 9 (CEB)
This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We're drawn into the real-life as we get to know God through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER
God, thank you for your generosity. I pause for just a moment to consider all the gifts you have given to us -- to me... Forgive me for not doing this enough. Reorient my life so that I'm living out of your generosity. Such a life is real and eternal. And I'm going to live a real-life because of what Christ has done and is doing. Amen.

HEARING AND SEEING

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost

PROVERBS 20:12 (MSG)
Ears that hear and eyes that see—
     we get our basic equipment from GOD! 

MATTHEW 13:16 (MSG)
You have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see!
And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! 

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live into the blessings that go with seeing and hearing.

PRAYER
Jesus, your offer of seeing eyes, and hearing ears move me to ask you for them. Too often, I live below the spiritual privileges you provide for me -- forgive me. Open me up again to see, to hear, and to experience your promises for me. Grant opportunities today to speak these promises to others you send to me. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

SPEAKING

PSALM 33:9 (ABP)
As GOD spoke it into existence the world was created. He just said the word and there it was.

MARK 4:39 (ABP)
Jesus got up from his nap and ordered the squalling wind and waves to settle down. At his word the wind became breathless. And suddenly conditions out in the middle of the lake were still. The quiet was eerie.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Trust in the power of God to speak things into order.

PRAYER
Powerful God, thank you for being in charge -- even when things feel out of control. I confess that I'm prone to panic when I can't see positive outcomes coming down the pipe. Help me to trust you. I'm going to take you at your word. Amen.