PROTECTION

JEREMIAH 16:19 (CEV)

Our Lord, you are the one

    who gives me strength

and protects me like a fortress

    when I am in trouble.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8 (ABP)

There is no end to the trouble we are experiencing, but we aren’t crushed. Yes, it can be confusing but it doesn't drive us to despair or desperation.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even though troubles come we are not crushed by them because God carries us through them.

PRAYER
Savior God, I am grateful for your protection. I admit that I get annoyed that I even need your protection. It seems to me that I should have a trouble-free life -- or at least that I should be able to take care of myself. Help me to abandon such silly ideas and to focus my energy on trusting you through both the good and bad times. I'm planning to grow in gratitude for your ongoing protection. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

GOD AT WORK!

The 5th Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 18:6 (CEB)

Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine...

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 (CEB)

God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE 

Don't overlook the fact that despite some hardships God is busy working out his plan for us and you.

PRAYER 

Glorious God, it is so easy to overlook the fact that you have a plan that you're working out. I focus so much attention on my own plans that I get frustrated with the way things are going. Help me to relax and to trust that you are the master planner. Help me to further align my personal plans with what I know of yours. I want to live according to your agenda. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

REFRESHING WATER

ISAIAH 48:21 (CEB)
They weren’t thirsty when he led them through the deserts.
God made water flow from the rock for them;
split the rock, and water flowed out.

JOHN 7:37 (CEB)
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted,
“All who are thirsty should come to me!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God quenches our physical and spiritual thirst.

PRAYER
Indeed, sustainer God, you quench our thirst. I don't drink enough of your water because I'm so busy doing other things and I forget to drink until I'm dangerously parched. Pour your living water into my life. Help me to imagine how this is happening -- a steady stream of clean clear water flowing from the pitcher in your hand. The very thought refreshes and restores me. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

REWARDS

JEREMIAH 21:14 (CEB)
I will punish you based on what you have done,
declares the LORD.

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
It's better to reap the rewards that come with doing good than to experience the consequences of treating others wrong.

PRAYER
God, you are the perfect judge of people and situations. We are inclined to fool ourselves into believing that our bad behaviors and attitudes are justified by the situation. But your just judgment will override our self-serving perceptions. Empower me to do what is truly good -- according to your standards -- and without interruption. I'm looking forward to judgment day. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.