PURSUE HUMILITY

Epiphany

2 CHRONICLES 32:24-25 (CEB)
...Hezekiah became deathly ill and prayed to the LORD, who answered him with a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah was too proud to respond appropriately to the kindness he had received...

1 PETER 5:5 (ABP)
God foils the proud while favoring the humble.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Serious humility is the only healthy way forward.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for lifting up the humble -- for honoring the least important people over the most powerful. Yet, even though I know your preferences I still find myself drawn into the pursuit of power and doing whatever I can to advance myself over others. Reinforce your framework of humility until it becomes second nature in my life. Like my master Jesus, I'm going to set aside my ambitions to care for the least and the lost. 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.

OLD WITNESSES

PSALM 71:17-18 (MSG)

You got me when I was an unformed youth,

God, and taught me everything I know.

Now I’m telling the world your wonders;

I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.

LUKE 2:29-31 (CEV)

Simeon said,

"Lord, I am your servant,

and now I can die in peace,

because you have kept

your promise to me.

With my own eyes I have seen

what you have done

to save your people,

and foreign nations

will also see this."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even the old folk are witnesses to God's faithfulness.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the faithful witness of old people -- people who have been acknowledging you year after year. Forgive me for my ageist thinking which assigns significance only to youthfulness. I aspire to be a faithful witness of your faithfulness until I'm old and gray. Help me to be that. 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.

A JOURNEY

1 KINGS 19:7 (MSG)
The angel of GOD came back, shook him awake again, and said, “Get up and eat some more—you’ve got a long journey ahead of you.”

HEBREWS 12:12-13 (CEV)
Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking and walk a straight path.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Prepare for a journey.

PRAYER
Merciful God, you have intervened in history and in my life to set me on the course for new life. Thank you for providing all that I need to move forward. Forgive me for my impatient "Are we there, yet?" way of thinking. Help me to embrace faith as a long journey full of wonderful adventures and challenges. I'm on the road to new life in Christ Jesus. 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 ON YOUR SIDE

PSALM 119:154 (CEB)
Argue my case and redeem me.
     Make me live again by your word.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 (CEB)
The Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You're not alone because the Lord is on your side.

PRAYER
Faithful and trustworthy God, you stand by your people, protecting them from spiritual assault, and saving them from the influence of evil. Yet, I confess that I don't make your job easy. I act without thinking of the consequences and implications. I wander from the safe areas that you designate. Then I feel like I have to fix all the damage I've done. Keep me focused on you and your faithfulness so that I genuinely live again away from the shadow of darkness. 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.