Peace keeping

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. ~ 1 Samuel 23:16 (NLT)

Make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together. ~ Ephesians 4:3 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Use encouraging words to keep the peace.

PRAYER:

Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Jonathan did it right but you are the master of peace who is redefining what peacemaking looks like. I'm stuck in the whole might is right mode. Help me to transition into becoming a person of encouraging words rather than a person of force. I want to keep the peace using the Jesus method. Amen.

God doesn't give up

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost

I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. ~ Hosea 11:3 (NLT)

Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation. ~ 2 Peter 3:15 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God does not give up on us, even when we are indifferent to his saving grace.

PRAYER:

Gracious Master, thank you for not giving up on us -- especially me. I make so many mistakes and am oblivious to your guiding hand. That really needs to change. I do understand enough to know that I can't make that kind of a change on my own. I need your patient care to move me forward toward greater awareness of the salvation that has been established by Jesus. Unpack that salvation in my life so that I can celebrate your generosity. Amen.

Thank God!

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. ~ Psalm 111:1 (MSG)

And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! ~ Colossians 3:16 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Thank God!

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm really grateful for all that you do for me -- except when I am not. That is, I tend to forget about your kindness and generosity as I'm pursuing my own agenda. Help me to cultivate thankfulness. Refresh the song in my heart so that I'm wisely pursuing your agenda rather than my own. I'm going to sing out to you -- for you are so very generous. Amen.

Peace

And he will be the source of peace. ~ Micah 5:5 (NLT)

I pray that the Lord, who gives peace, will always bless you with peace. May the Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Expect peace to flow from the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, your very presence establishes peace in the midst of a conflicted world. Yet we're so dense that we try to make peace through every way but the obvious. Help me to be an agent of your peace. Give me the words to proclaim your presence and declare the arrival of your unique approach to peace. I'm going to be a Jesus-defined peacemaker. I'm going to be an instrument of your blessing. Amen.