Walk with Jesus

St Patrick's Day

Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. ~ Psalm 86:11a (CEB)

Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. Right away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus. ~ Matthew 4:21-22 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is calling you to leave behind whatever you're doing and to go walking with him.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for inviting me to walk with you. However, it is harder than I thought it would be to leave behind the old ways. Forgive me for my lapses. And help me because it is my desire to walk with you -- to learn from you and to go where you are going. I'm going to follow my leader, Jesus. Amen.

So many unanswered questions

Why do I keep on suffering? Why are my wounds incurable? Why won't they heal? Do you intend to disappoint me like a stream that goes dry in the summer? ~ Jeremiah 15:18 (GNT)

Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We need to be patient and let God answer the questions in his own time.

PRAYER:

I'm so thankful, Lord, for all that you have revealed of yourself. Of course, as a curious and sometimes frustrated person, I'd sure like you to show us more of what you are up to. Why do I still suffer? Forgive me for getting swallowed up in my questions. Help me to trust you and to wait patiently for the time when we can have a good face-to-face conversation. I'm confident that your answers will be enough, but still I suffer. Amen.

Think about what God says

All night long I lie awake, to meditate on your instructions. ~ Psalm 119:148 (GNT)

Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. ~ Luke 2:19 (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

It is valuable to spend time thinking deeply about what God says.

PRAYER:

Thank you, dear Lord, for your Word -- your instructions -- your message that renews our lives. I am too casual about your Word. I don't give it enough space in my mind. Help me to become more focused on meditating on your Word so that your insights become a part of who I am. I'm going to listen, think on, and obey your instructions. Amen.

The safety of God's love

They’ll see that you take care of the poor, that you take care of poor people in trouble, provide a warm, dry place in bad weather, provide a cool place when it’s hot. Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard and vicious foreigners like high noon in the desert. But you, shelter from the storm and shade from the sun, shut the mouths of the big-mouthed bullies. ~ Isaiah 25:4 (MSG)

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?.. In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. ~ Romans 8:35, 37 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Relax! Our loving Lord is on the side of the distressed.

PRAYER:

Lord, you and your love are incredible. There is nothing more powerful than the love of Christ. I admit that sometimes I get discouraged when I see how things are going in the world. Help me to return my mind to the safety of your love. I'm going to bask in the victory of Christ rather than the hardships generated by the world system. Amen.