Jesus feeds

God spoke to Moses, “I’ve listened to the complaints of the Israelites. Now tell them: ‘At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you’ll eat your fill of bread; and you’ll realize that I am God, your God.’” ~ Exodus 16:11-12 (MSG)

Andrew said to Jesus: “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?”

The ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to have everyone sit down. ~ John 6:9-10a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus feeds his people in ways unexpected.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have given me so much. I have no reason to complain or to expect more. But I'm never satisfied. I'm eager for more -- to the point where I'm fat. Save me from unhealthy desires so that I can serve you without distraction. Amen.

Speak out

Jerusalem, on your walls I have stationed guards, whose duty it is to speak out day and night, without resting. ~ Isaiah 62:6a (CEV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God has called us to go and speak out about Jesus.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for giving me a job. I want to make your message know throughout the entire word, but I am distracted by all the things happening in my life. Send your Holy Spirit on me to refocus my energy and empower me to do what needs to be done. I'm going to become your most faithful messenger. Amen.

The Lord is King!

The Lord is King! Tell the earth to celebrate and all islands to shout. ~ Psalm 97:1 (CEV) 

And they were singing the song that his servant Moses and the Lamb had sung. They were singing,

“Lord God All-Powerful,
you have done great
and marvelous things.
You are the ruler
of all nations,
and you do what is
right and fair.
Lord, who doesn’t honor
and praise your name?
You alone are holy,
and all nations will come
and worship you...”

~ Revelation 15:3-4a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

No matter where you live, celebrate the Lord as king.

PRAYER:

Lord, I join in celebrating your royal authority. I confess that I get frustrated by all the power-hungry people in the world. I get too wrapped up and angry about them when in fact you are the true king. Help me to trust that you are working out all the power and control issues. I recognize that I don't see all that you are doing but I'm going to trust you anyway and celebrate Jesus as king. Amen.

Love driven

The people you rescued were led by your powerful love to your holy place. ~ Exodus 15:13a (CEV)

Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. ~ Ephesians 5:2a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

If we're going to serve God in any way we need to let his love move and direct us.

PRAYER:

Lord God, your love is the greatest force in existence. Thank you for overcoming all that is unloveable about us. Your love does that. I stand in awe of how Christ demonstrates your love for us -- for me. Yet, strangely, I continue to let fear influence how I live. Please cut me open and remove the fear. Replace it with your love so that it is leading my life. I'm going to live a very different kind of life because your love is driving me. Amen.