GOD IS GRACIOUS AND SO...

ISAIAH 48:9 (CEV)
I, the Lord, am true to myself;
I will be praised
for not punishing
and destroying you.

2 TIMOTHY 1:9 (CEB)
God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Because God is gracious he is not only merciful to us but he also calls us to participate in his plan for the world.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for graciously saving us from all that is contrary to life. Forgive me for trying to define life on my own terms -- for coming up with my own purpose and calling. Refocus my life so that it is grace-defined and Jesus-centered. I'm going to live out YOUR plan. Amen.

LOVING OTHERS

LEVITICUS 19:18 (NLT)
I am the LORD, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself.

HEBREWS 13:1-2 (CEB)
Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Love others in practical ways.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your eternal love of us. I confess that I have been less than successful in passing that love onto my neighbors. Loving others can be uncomfortable and disruptive of all the other things I love. Show me what I need to let go of so that I can love as Jesus loves. I'm going to love others with the same focus and energy that I naturally pour into myself. Amen.

PURSUITS

The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

MICAH 6:8 (MSG)
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.

2 TIMOTHY 2:22 (NTE)
Run away from the passions of youth. Instead, chase after justice, faith, love and peace; you’ll be in the company of all who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Pursue the well being of your neighbor.

PRAYER
Lord God, your expectations are not complicated. And they feel noble. But I'm not very good at acting justly and lovingly. My self interests are constantly getting in the way. Help me to embrace a humble approach to life -- to resist taking myself so seriously. I'm going to enjoy a simple life with good company. Amen.

AWESOME GOD

PSALM 92:5 (CEB)
How awesome are your works, LORD!
Your thoughts are so deep!

1 TIMOTHY 6:15-16 (CEV)
The glorious God
     is the only Ruler,
     the King of kings
     and Lord of lords.
At the time that God
      has already decided,
      he will send Jesus Christ
      back again.

Only God lives forever!
And he lives in light
      that no one can come near.
No human has ever seen God
      or ever can see him.
God will be honored,
      and his power
      will last forever. 

Amen.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our awesome God is far greater than we can comprehend.

PRAYER
You, God, are the undisputed ruler, the highest king, the most awesome. Yet, you let us into your life -- even though we're clueless about what we've been given. Open our eyes to you and your wonders so that we might at least start to honor you in a way that you deserve. Amen.