TRUSTWORTY GOD

ECCLESIASTES 3:14 (CEB)
I know that whatever God does will last forever; it’s impossible to add to it or take away from it.

ROMANS 11:29 (MSG)
God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You can count on him because God never goes back on his word.

PRAYER
God, in this world where people flake out and it's hard to count on them to keep their promises, you are totally trustworthy. Thank you. I confess that I worry about the future. Help me to see that you're not going to withdraw your love and that you are a promise keeper. I'm going to trust that you are working out the best on my behalf. Amen.

ASK

PSALM 86:5 (NLT)
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

LUKE 11:1 (CEB)
Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Look to God to provide.

PRAYER
Thank you, O Lord, for offering a love that doesn't disappoint. You make it easy to turn to you. Yet, I'm slow to ask. Teach me how to turn to you -- to look to you -- to ask of you -- to rely on you. Through the presence of your Spirit in my life, I'm going to get over my self-sufficiency and turn to you for everything. Amen.

PURSUE PEACE

PSALM 34:14 (CEB)
Turn away from evil! Do good!
Seek peace and go after it!

1 CORINTHIANS 7:15 (CEB)
God has called you to peace.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God has called us to pursue peace.

PRAYER
Powerful God, I'm grateful that the creation of peace is important to you. Of course, I don't seem to be able to prioritize peace in the way that you do. I continue to fall back on all the old arguments for prioritizing power. Show me how to humbly follow in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace -- even if it means giving up all my own power and control. I'm going to pursue peace for everyone in my sphere of influence. Amen.

ETERNAL HOPE

Pentecost Sunday

DANIEL 4:34
I praised the Most High. I worshipped and glorified the one who lives forever because his rule is everlasting; his kingdom is for all time.

TITUS 3:6-7 (CEV)
God sent Jesus Christ
     our Savior
     to give us his Spirit.
Jesus treated us much better
     than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God
     and gave us the hope
     of eternal life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We live great Spirit-led lives now because of the hope of unending life under the reign of God.

PRAYER
Gracious God, when you sent Christ Jesus into our world you changed everything and renewed hope for humanity. I don't fly that hope flag high enough. Empower me through your Spirit to boldly step forward as a forgiven and hopeful person. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.