STAND FIRM

EXODUS 14:13 (ABP)
Dismiss your fears. Stand your ground and watch GOD save the day.

HEBREWS 10:23 (ABP)
Keep a tight grip on the hope that we all confess. Remember, Christ the promise-maker can be trusted.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stand firm and trust Christ to finish the job.

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you are totally faithful and completely trustworthy. I don't understand how it is that I start to panic in the face of trouble. I let my mind run wild and dwell on the worst possible outcomes. Help me to relax and to see enough of your hand at work so that I stand firm. I am trusting that because of you, things really will turn out best. Amen.

LOVE

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

DEUTERONOMY 6:5 (ABP)
Give the entirety of who you are to your GOD. Love him with all your heart, your entire being, and every ounce of your energy. Don't hold back anything.

1 JOHN 4:19 (ABP)
God's love for us came first, enabling us to love.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Let God's love -- and love for him -- become the driving force in your life.

PRAYER
Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
     Word become flesh, Anointed One.
Your perfect love removes my fear,
     and boldly I draw near.

Perfect your love in me.
Perfect your love in me.
Your perfect love removes my fear,
     and boldly I draw near.

by Cheryl A.B. Boydston. ©2003

GOD GIVES

DEUTERONOMY 8:18 (ABP)
Remember your God! He’s the one who gives you the strength to thrive...

JOHN 3:27 (NLT)
No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God empowers us to thrive.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the power you give to live generously. All that I have is from you and belongs to you. Teach me to use my time, talents, and treasurers wisely, giving life to others so they too may know of your goodness. Forgive me for my sometimes stingy attitude. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

LOVED

PSALM 32:10 (MSG)
God-defiers are always in trouble;
God-affirmers find themselves loved
every time they turn around.

ROMANS 5:5 (NLT)
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
To be loved by God is to be fulfilled.

PRAYER
God, life is full of disappointments but you are not one of them. To the contrary your love carries us through the disappointing times. Forgive me for taking your love for granted. Help me to become a messenger of hope to all who are experiencing disappointment. I'm going to gush the love of Christ to the world around me. Amen.