STAY THE COURSE

PROVERBS 10:28 (MSG)
The aspirations of good people end in celebration;
the ambitions of bad people crash.

HEBREWS 6:12 (MSG)
Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who stay the course end up with the rewards.

PRAYER
God of hope, you call me to faithfulness. There are times I am tempted to give up, days when the road seems too long. Forgive me, Lord, and reenergize me. In all things help me cling to the promises of Christ, for he will never disappoint. Help me work for the kingdom today, trusting the results to you. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

DOING GOOD

MALACHI 3:18 (CEB)
You will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked,
between those serving God and those not serving him.

GALATIANS 6:9 (CEB)
Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Keep up the good work that you're doing.

PRAYER
Lord, we're grateful that your love for us doesn't depend on how good we are. Forgive us for thinking that your grace excuses us from pushing forward with the good that you are doing through us. Fill me with energy for right living so that I might bring honor to Christ the righteous one. Amen.

THERE'S A WELCOME HERE

ISAIAH 40:1 (CEV)
Our God has said:
     "Encourage my people!
     Give them comfort."

LUKE 9:11 (ABP)
Jesus welcomed the crowd that was following him. He told them about God’s kingdom and healed those who were sick.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It's good to know that God welcomes people like us and even has an encouraging word.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your warm welcome and encouraging words. Forgive us for thinking of you as stern and aloof. Give me an encouraging word to say about what you're up to -- and the wisdom to know when and how to speak it. Because you're in charge of my life I'm going to encourage those around me in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A LIFE OF PRAYER

PSALM 44:8 (CEV)
We boast about you, our God,
and we are always grateful.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-17 (TPT)
Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make your life a prayer.

PRAYER
Honorable God, it is a privilege to approach you. Forgive me for embracing distractions that keep me from using my life as a prayer to you. Turn it around for me. I want the entirety of who I am -- everything I think, do, and say to be an expression of my gratitude to you. Amen.