OWNING OUR SIN

2 SAMUEL 24:10 (CEB)
David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, please take away the guilt of your servant because I have done something very foolish.”

1 JOHN 1:9 (ABP)
If we own up to the sinful things we do, God the just judge will faithfully forgive us. And not only that, he'll give us a fresh start with a clean slate.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Own up to your wrongdoing and trust God to fully forgive you.

PRAYER
Why is it, gracious God, that in spite of your guarantee of forgiveness, I'm so hesitant to acknowledge my weakness and failure? I know that I'm not hiding anything from you, but I worry that I'll erode my standing with my peers who are less gracious than you. Help me to own up to my sin. I'm going to be gracious about the sins of others. And I'm going to pay more attention to what you think than how others perceive 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.

TRANSIENT

JOB 14:1-2 (MSG)
We’re all adrift in the same boat:
     too few days, too many troubles.
We spring up like wildflowers in the desert and then wilt,
     transient as the shadow of a cloud.

HEBREWS 13:13-14 (MSG)
So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come.

SUMMARY SENTENCE 
Get used to the idea that we are transient here.

PRAYER
Creator God, you are in the process of renewing creation -- making all things new. I confess that most of the time I'm not excited about change. It requires so much energy and it's so easy to live according to the established patterns -- even when they are spiritually unhealthy. Empower the change in me so that I can keep up with where you are going. I'm going to be a part of your new creation. 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.

QUIET AND PRAYER

 The Last Sunday after Epiphany

PSALM 42:8 (CEV)

Every day, you are kind,
and at night you give me a song
as my prayer to you,
the God of my life.

MATTHEW 14:23 (ABP)
Jesus then climbed a mountain to an isolated spot where he could be alone to pray. He stayed up there by himself well into the evening.

SUMMARY SENTENCE 
Seek out quiet for prayer, especially during chaotic times.

PRAYER
Jesus, our Savior, you have filled our lives with needed purpose and meaning. Yet, when life gets chaotic my first inclination is to fill it with distractions. I avoid isolation and quiet. Help me to learn how to seek and take advantage of the quiet so that chaos becomes an opportunity for greater communication with you. I'm going to learn to listen for the song that you give as I step away from the busyness of the 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.

UNSTOPPABLE LOVE

PSALM 73:25 (CEB)
Do I have anyone else in heaven?
There’s nothing on earth I desire except you.

ROMANS 8:38-39 (MSG)

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—

nothing living or dead, 

angelic or demonic, 

today or tomorrow, 

high or low, 

thinkable or unthinkable—

absolutely nothing 

can get between us and God’s love

because of the way that 

Jesus our Master has embraced us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The unstoppable love of God made visible in Jesus is my all.

PRAYER
God, like the apostle Paul, I'm convinced that nothing is big enough or powerful to derail your love for us. Even when we reject you, you still love us. Amazing! Forgive me for thinking of anything else. Help me to reframe every thought and action in light of your love. I want it to be the driving force in my life. 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.