God at Work

I will look favorably upon you, making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you. ~ Leviticus 26:9 (NLT)

You are God’s garden and God’s building. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:9 (CEV)

Lord, it makes me feel good knowing that you have your people working on us -- improving us so that we can be fruitful for you. It gives me a sense of purpose and delight because I realize that my life is going to count for something important. This is true even though I have a lot of problems and am not a perfect follower of Jesus. But your grace is changing me. Amen.

Prepare!

Hush before the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is near! ~ Zephaniah 1:7 (CEB)

Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray. Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:7-8 (CEV)

Lord,

THANKS: I'm grateful that you have a plan to put an end to the craziness of this work. It gives me confidence.

REGRETS: But I don't think that I'm really as ready as I should be. I don't take it all that seriously.

INTERCESSION: Rewire my brain so that it is above all loving.

PURPOSE: I'm going to prepare by excelling at the love of Jesus which flows through me.

Amen.

Masterpiece

Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. ~ Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Creator God, you made us so that together we can carry out your plan. So, I am confident that you will not abandon us -- or even me. And I'm grateful for that good word. Now, I need to start living as someone who is a part of your masterpiece. I want to up my performance to better reflect your creativity and love. With your assistance I can. Amen.

Serving

“People of Israel, you are my witnesses,” announces the Lord. “I have chosen you to be my servant. ~ Isaiah 43:10 (NIRV)

We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:5 (CEV)

Lord, everyday I am amazed that you would allow us -- allow me -- to serve you. I'm such a screw-up -- full of myself -- full of my own agenda for life. But you still include me. Please raise me up so that I can be a worthy servant. I'm depending on you for even that. But that does uniquely qualify me to be a witness of your grace. That's kind of cool -- that my weaknesses get corralled to further demonstrate that Jesus is Lord. Amen.