Caring creator

God formed from the dirt of the ground all the animals of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the Man to see what he would name them. ~ Genesis 2:19a (MSG)

Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. ~ Luke 12:6 (CEB)

Caring Creator,

THANKS: The way that you value even the smallest of animals reminds me of how much you care about all creation -- including insignificant me. Thank you for caring.

REGRETS: I sometimes feel like you don't care. I'm like a little child throwing a pity party because things are not going the way I want them to go.

INTERCESSION: Please give me a bigger perspective and a deeper understanding of your care.

PURPOSE: I need to understand so that I can join you in caring about all the creation -- including the animals, the soil, the air -- and the people -- even the most insignificant of people. 

Amen.

Fairness

Be fair, no matter who is on trial—don’t favor either the poor or the rich. ~ Leviticus 19:15 (CEV)

My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. ~ James 2:1 (CEV)

Great God, thank you for being fair. You do not discriminate against me because I don't have money or because I am from a different race or because I am from an unimportant clan. I struggle with being fair. I let public opinion and culture sway me. But I want to be fair like you. As I glory in your goodness I am hoping that your sense of fairness will rub off on me. I want to be like Jesus who is my Savior and teacher. Amen.

Rescue?

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost

You are the rock where I am safe. You are my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter. You rescue me and keep me from being hurt. ~ 2 Samuel 22:3

We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEB)

Strong Savior -- I really love hearing about your salvation and how you rescue people during times of trouble. I have experienced that myself. But I am troubled that there are believers who are suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus. Some of them have died. It's not their fault. They are not causing their own trouble but they are trusting you. How is it that you don't always save them from violence? Perhaps there is more going on in your rescue than what I understand. I have not lost my hope in you but I am praying for all who experience trouble -- that you would save them from being crushed. Amen.

Judgment

Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace. ~ Daniel 12:2 (CEV)

The day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. ~ Romans 2:16b (NLT)

God, it's kind of scary to think that you are judging my secrets. I have no hope apart from your grace and mercy. It's a good thing that Christ who is involved in judging is also the one who poured out grace and mercy on the cross. He established the resurrected life and I'm going to follow him that direction. Forgive me for letting my mind wander at times. You know exactly who I am. I am confident of your fairness and mercy. Amen.