The path

THE 14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

God’s paths get you where you want to go. Right-living people walk them easily; wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling. ~ Hosea 14:9b (MSG)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ~ Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We need to help each other stay on the right path.

PRAYER:

Great God -- pioneering God, you have cut a good path for us upon which you want us to walk. Thank you for the gift of that path. But I am careless about staying on the trail. I'm inclined to think that the signs are meant for others and that it won't do any harm if I wander off -- only a little. Help me to take your pathway seriously -- and to look out for other wanderers who might be setting themselves up to trip and fall. Perhaps by helping others stay on course I'll be doing the same for myself. Amen.

Faithful and forgiving

I am aware of my wrongdoing, and I my sin continues to haunt me. ~ Psalm 51:3 (ABP)

If we own up to our sins and admit them, God will certainly forgive us of them. And on top of that, he will scrub the wrong from our lives. That's because God is totally faithful; it's who he is. ~ 1 John 1:9 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

God is faithful and forgiving.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God! You know how bad I am -- how there are things that I think, say, and do -- things that I fail to do -- which are downright sinful. Yet, you are so faithful and so forgiving that I'm stunned. Help me to get past my sin and to dwell more on your faithfulness and forgiveness. Help me to clean up my act so that sin has no place in my life. I know that I can't do that on my own. I'm so glad, though, that I can count on you. Jesus proves that fact. Amen.

Clean clothes

“Look, I’ve stripped you of your sin and dressed you up in clean clothes.” ~ Zechariah 3:4b (MSG)

The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.”

But his father said to the servants, “Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. ~ Luke 15:21-22 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God's forgiveness gives us a fresh start.

PRAYER:

God, I'm grateful for your mercy and forgiveness. I'm thankful that you give us a fresh start. I admit that I am too often satisfied with the forgiveness and too lazy to act on the fresh start. It's so easy to wear the old and comfortable clothes. Have mercy on me a reluctant convert. Starting now I'm going to take full advantage of the clean clothes and fresh start you are offering. Amen.

God's presence

Lord, you are the All-Powerful God, yet your awesomeness is most evident in your temple -- for it is your home among us. ~ Psalm 84:1 (ABP)

Whenever as few as two or three of you gather together to carry out my business you can be certain that I am right there in your midst. ~ Matthew 18:20 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

One of the most amazing things about God is that he likes to hang-out with people.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to hang-out with us -- and what happens because of your presence. Our world -- our lives are changed. Forgive me for trying to avoid you. I'm afraid that your presence will change me too much. I enjoy making my own way in life. That's not right. And I am committed to growing in my walk with you and the changes that come with spending time with you. Please do whatever tweaking is necessary to get my life aligned with yours. Amen.