Living here

I will live there with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. ~ Ezekiel 37:27 (GNT)

The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. ~ John 1:14 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We can become God's mature people because he has come to live with us.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to live among us. We see you in a new light because we see him. Yet, even with your presence we don't always act as your people. And I am speaking about myself, too. I don't always act as a Jesus person who has experienced your kindness and has seen your truth through Jesus glasses. But I am going to keep trusting that what you are doing here among us will eventually result in greater maturity in me. I want to become a mature follower of Jesus. Amen.

Hope for the future

No one will ever hear the sound of weeping or crying in it again. ~ Isaiah 65:19 (CEB)

Let your hope keep you joyful... ~ Romans 12:12a (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

Don't let anyone shut off the joyful flow of hope that comes to you through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, it is so frustrating. There are so many people trying to replace hope with fear. And sometimes I let them get to me. I pray, though, that you will keep the hope alive in me. I'm so thankful for all the hope that you are sending my way through Jesus. In spite of all the negative and crazy things going on around me, I'm going to be happy because my hope is rooted in the future that Christ is creating. Amen.

Ask!

Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice! ~ Psalm 65:5a (CEV)

Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. ~ Matthew 7:8 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We should live our lives trusting that God will answer our prayers.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am grateful that you make sure that I'm well cared for. I can count on you for everything I need. I can count on you to make justice happen. I know that; but sometimes I don't ask. I just get so swept up in the moment that I never get around to asking. Please send me constant reminders of your generous offer. I'm going to rely on you. Amen.

Strong

But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. ~ Malachi 3:2 (GNT)

As you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Christ will take care of you until he returns.

PRAYER:

Lord, that is such good news -- that you are going to return -- and that you are keeping me strong until that time. Of course, I'm not always accessing the strength you give me. (You don't force anyone!) But please keep at it. I will eventually get with your program. I mean, I'm a bit slow. But I trust you and I'm going to be ready for you. Amen.