PERSEVERANCE

ISAIAH 53:1 (MSG)
Who believes what we’ve heard and seen?
Who would have thought GOD's saving power would look like this?

1 TIMOTHY 6:12 (CEB)
Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life—you were called to it, and you made a good confession of it in the presence of many witnesses.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Complete your faith through perseverance.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing us to press on to greater faith. I admit that a lot of the time I feel stuck -- that my spiritual disciplines and my devotional activity isn't really moving me forward. Grant me the stamina to stay in the competition even when I don't see the progress. I suppose that perseverance is the progress you desire. I'm not going to let my frustrations with myself knock me out of the race. Amen.

HEALING

2 SAMUEL 14:14 (NLT)
All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

LUKE 5:30-31
But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is more into gathering those who need healing than in creating a community defined by rule-keeping.

PRAYER
You are a big-hearted God who wants to restore people to whole and healthy lives. Thank you for your warm welcome for people like me. I confess, though, that the longer I walk in faith the easier it is to be critical of those who do not. Give me a heart for all who are in need of your healing grace. I'm going to live a life which supports Jesus' healing ministry. Amen.

PRECIOUS

MALACHI 3:17 (CEV)
Then the LORD All-Powerful said:
You people are precious to me, and when I come to bring justice, I will protect you, just as parents protect an obedient child.

EPHESIANS 1:5 (CEB)
God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who trust God begin to see that they are precious to him.

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for welcoming me into your family. I don't deserve your favor. But I confess that I take it for granted. Help me to see even more ways that your grace intersects with my life. I'm going to live according to it and under your good care. Amen.

GOD'S DOING

PSALM 147:5 (MSG)
Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;
we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does.

MARK 10:27 (MSG)
Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Step out of the way and let God do his thing.

PRAYER
God, you are Almighty. Sometimes I pretend that I'm powerful and calling all the shots. Sometimes I even convince myself that this is actually true. Help me to step out of your way without stepping out of the picture. I want to be a part of what YOU’RE doing. Amen.