BLESS GOD

PSALM 63:4 (MSG)
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

COLOSSIANS 1:12 (NCV)
And you will joyfully give thanks to the Father who has made you able to have a share in all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Devote your life to thanking God for all that he is doing.

PRAYER
Bless you, God, for all that you have already done for us -- even more so for all that you are doing and will do. I admit that I can be a grumbler when negative things happen. Help me to move beyond it all. Even when I can't see anything positive, in faith I'm going to bless you. Amen.

UNDESERVED KINDNESS

PSALM 103:15-17 (MSG)
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him...

ROMANS 5:2 (NLT)
Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Even though life around us is fleeting, God lavishes undeserved kindness on us.

PRAYER

God thank you for looking on us favorably. There is nothing we can do to earn your attention. Of course, that doesn't stop us from trying to impress you. But all our antics just make us look silly or pathetic. Help me to more fully understand the depths of the undeserved privilege which has been given to us. Because of your grace alone I'm going to step forward into the future. Amen.

REFRESHING

ISAIAH 12:3 (CEB)
You will draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.

MATTHEW 11:28 (MSG)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Go with Jesus to recover your life.

PRAYER
God, thank you for making all things new through Christ. My life needs a refresh because I've been trying on my own to generate significance. But every time I think I'm getting somewhere, something happens and I experience a setback. So I am again turning anew to you and am looking forward to resting in you and your provision. Amen.

GOD IS HERE

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 55:6 (CEV)
Turn to the Lord!
He can still be found.
Call out to God! He is near.

COLOSSIANS 2:9 (CEB)
All the fullness of deity lives in Christ’s body.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God has come close to us through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER
Thank you, Christ Jesus, for coming to us to reveal God in ways never before seen. You are God in the flesh. Forgive me for acting as though you are distant and uninvolved. It is easy to ignore disengaged deities. Open my eyes to your ongoing engagement in history and the wonder of your presence. I'm going to sit up and pay closer attention to what you're doing. Amen.