Resting

They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them. ~ Ezekiel 34:28 (NLT)

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. ~ Hebrews 4:9 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We can relax in the safety of God's protection.

PRAYER:

Lord, you generously offer safety and protection to all who will turn and trust you. I'm grateful -- even though I live my life on the edge more than I should. I seem to enjoy the sense of fear -- the thrill and adventure of pushing the boundaries. I know that this is not sustainable nor desireable from your perspective. I want to please you; so I am asking that you would calm me down. I need to approach life differently so that I am a relaxed person. I want to be someone who is thrilled by your protection and who finds adventure by trusting in you. Amen.

The entrance

Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "This sacred place is awesome. It’s none other than God’s house and the entrance to heaven." ~ Genesis 29:17 (CEB)

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. ~ John 1:14 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is the living house of God that is the entrance to heaven.

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, you are uniquely positioned to act as our entrance to all that is heavenly. Help me to stay close to you -- the loving and faithful doorway. I am depending on you. I intend to reflect your glory through my life so that others might find the entranceway, too. Amen.

The grace of Christ

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets... ~ Psalm 119:37 (MSG)

Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them. ~ Hebrews 13:9 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Don't get sucked in by anything but the grace of Christ.

PRAYER:

Lord, your grace is enough. But I still get distracted by the toys and trinkets which claim to be about you. Yet they really have nothing to do with you. I guess that I'm afraid that I might miss out on some bonus experience. Use your grace to flush that way of thinking from my life. I'm going to live an undistracted life. That's my goal and it is doable if I can keep things centered on Christ and his unending generosity. Amen.

God's Word

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ~ Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” ~ Luke 11:28 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We thrive when we put God's word into practice.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, both for your Son Jesus, who is the living word and for written word in the Bible. Help me to attend more to what you have to say. For me your word has become perfunctory. I suppose that is inevitable when I study it continually. So I am going to trust that you make the word alive and active in my life. Through the guidance of your word I want to become a person of Godly practice. Amen.