CREATION CALLING

GENESIS 1:28 (CEV)
God gave them his blessing and said:
     Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:22-23 (CEV)
Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God includes us in his care and dominion over creation.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for such a wonderful creation. I confess that I participate in the corruption of your created order. Help me to more fully grasp what it means to rule over it all with you. Give me wisdom so that I can understand how to fulfill my calling. Through my relationship with Christ I'm going to be faithful to my calling to steward your creation. Amen.

BRAVERY

JOSHUA 1:9 (CEV)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (CEV)
God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can bravely face all the challenges of life because God is present with us, his Spirit gifting us with everything we need to overcome -- power, love, and self-control.

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for coming into the world to be with us. Even though I get all wishy washy when trouble comes my way, I know that I can count on you. Fill me with a brave and loving heart -- steady and calm in the face of calamity. Thank you! Amen!

GOD RESPONDS

PSALM 34:6 (MSG)
When I was desperate, I called out,
and GOD got me out of a tight spot.

LUKE 11:10 (NTE)
You see, everyone who asks receives! Everyone who searches finds! Everyone who knocks has the door opened for them!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God responds to us when we are in need and call to him.

PRAYER
God, you are generous with your attention. Yet, I worry about being overwhelmed by my circumstances. Help me to relax in your generosity. I'm going to trust you regardless of what comes or might come. Amen.

THE CREATOR AND THE CREATION

The 5th Sunday in Lent

ISAIAH 48:13 (CEV)
With my own hand
I created the earth
and stretched out the sky.
They obey my every command.

John 1:1-3 (NTE)
In the beginning was the Word. The Word was close beside God, and the Word was God. In the beginning, he was close beside God.

All things came into existence through him; not one thing that exists came into existence without him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God created it all and it all remains under his control.

PRAYER
Glorious creator, thank you for the incredible world in which you have placed us. I admit that I've been a careless occupant of your creation. And some of this carelessness is coming back to bite us. Show us how to repent of our carelessness and give us the wisdom needed to navigate through the messes we've created. Most of all, help us -- help me -- to trust that nothing we've done can thwart your purposes for creation. I'm going to live in a way that honors you as creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Amen.