LIVE WISELY

PSALM 119:66 (CEV)
Give me wisdom and good sense.
I trust your commands.

JAMES 3:13 (MSG)
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Build your reputation on wise actions.

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for the direction you have provided for us -- direction that leads us into full and wise lives. I confess, though, that I'm more concerned about the appearance of wisdom than about living wisely. Give me more than words. Set me up for success in wise living. Through your intervention in my life, I'm going to walk the talk. Amen.

FOR OTHERS

GENESIS 37:14 (CEB)
Jacob said to Joseph, “Go! Find out how your brothers are and how the flock is, and report back to me.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:4 (CEB)
Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Just as God looks out for us he expects us to make looking out for others a priority.

PRAYER
God our caregiver, thank you for you sending Jesus, who set aside his assets in order to come to look out for us. I want to live that way, too, but it's so hard to let go of my own interests. Give me a heart for others and help me to learn how to set aside my self-interests so that I can serve Christ through others. I'm going to allow his presence in my life to propel me in that direction. Amen.

THE LORD IS WITH YOU

The Second Sunday in Lent

ISAIAH 43:5 (CEV)
Don’t be afraid! I am with you.
From both east and west
I will bring you together.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 (CEB)
We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord is with you.

PRAYER
Lord, even when my world is falling apart you're there for me. But I confess that I let anxiety take over -- even when it is not warranted. I have a very active imagination. Rescue me from my depression. Even though I'm having trouble seeing it, I'm going to trust that you'll get me through it. Amen.

FLYING

DEUTERONOMY 32:11 (CEV)
The LORD was like an eagle
teaching its young to fly,
always ready to swoop down
and catch them on its back.

PHILIPPIANS 4:7 (CEV)
Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord carries his own.

PRAYER
You're looking out for us. Thank you, God! I confess that I'm afraid to fly. I've had so many bumps and bruises. Help me to trust you for this moment and then the next and then the next and... I'm going to learn to fly because I know that you are there for me. Amen.