The right kind of wisdom

These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they so wise after all? ~ Jeremiah 8:9 (NLT)

Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5 (GNT)

KEY IDEAS:

Don't trust people who act like they know everything. Instead, trust in the wisdom and power from God.

PRAYER:

Wise and caring God, the world is full of people who think they know more than they do. Sometimes I am one of them. I end up feeling very foolish once I figure out that I'm not so smart. You are both smart and wise. Hold me up so that I don't trip over my own foolishness. Grow wisdom from the seed of Christ Jesus that you have planted in my heart. I want to trust you and share in your wisdom -- while ignoring the so-called "wisdom" of the world around me. Thank you for your attention. Amen.

Trusting the name of the Lord

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

I will protect those who trust in my name. ~ Psalm 91:14b (NLT)

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God... ~ Revelation 3:12a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Those who trust in the name of the Lord will wear his name forever.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being trustworthy. Great is your name. I don't deserve to be a pillar in your temple. I'm weak. I stumble. But if need be, I will stumble across the finish line. It's because you are a God who graciously empowers the weak people who trust you. You write your name on us and we can be with you forever. Amen.

Rebellion

Why do you accuse me of doing wrong? You are the ones who have rebelled,” says the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 2:29 (NLT)

How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. ~ Luke 19:42 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Rebellion against the Lord always ends badly.

PRAYER:

Lord, you love and embrace us. And I'm thankful for that because sometimes I have a rebellious spirit that pushes you away. I'm sorry for that. It eats away at the peace in my life and in the lives of those who have to deal with me. But I know that I can count on your love to change me. That's my request -- that the love of Christ would engulf me and that I would be able to welcome the embrace. I don't want to live a rebellious life. Amen.

Shining like the sun

If you love Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! If you were in sorrow because of the city, you can now be glad. ~ Isaiah 66:10 (CEV)

But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. ~ Matthew 13:43a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God promises a great future for the active citizens of his kingdom.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the hope that you have given us through Christ Jesus. Thank you for initiating the Kingdom of God. I count myself as a citizen of that kingdom because I am trusting in what Christ has done and is doing. But I'm not sure that I'm yet to the point where I'm shining like the sun. Please do what it takes in my life to get me to that point. I'm eager to become a full participant in the celebration. Amen.