The gift of life

You will eat and be satisfied, and you will live in safety. ~ Leviticus 26:5b (CEV)

Jesus said: I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. ~ John 10:10b (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Through Jesus we have been given incredibly rich and full lives.

PRAYER:

Thank you so much, Jesus. You have given us incredibly rich and abundant lives. I for one don't always live the life I've been given. But that is no reflection on the gift. It's just that I enjoy trying to control my own life. I want to be seen as a self-made person. I know, though, that my attitude is getting in the way of living the life you've given to me so I'm asking that you'd also fix my attitude. I want to enjoy the gift of life as you have given it. Amen.

Humility

The Lord says:

Don’t brag about your wisdom or strength or wealth. If you feel you must brag, then have enough sense to brag about worshiping me, the Lord. What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth. ~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 (CEV)

If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work... ~ Galatians 6:3-4 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Humility goes a long way in advancing God's agenda.

PRAYER:

Mighty God, I am grateful that you cherish humility and an honest desire to know you fully. Forgive my selfishness and pride. Teach me how to yield and surrender my will daily. Today, I choose to sit at your feet. Open my heart, teach me more of your ways, and help me to grow in honesty before you and others. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Recognizing God's voice

So why do you challenge God to answer you? God speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice. ~ Job 33:13-14 (CEV)

They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” ~ Luke 24:32 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

We need to approach life with humility, accepting that we don't always understand what God is saying.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, you continue to speak your Word to us through the Bible. But even though I've studied a lot of the Bible there are lot's of times that I don't instantly recognize what you are saying. Give me the humility to accept that I can never be a full expert on your message. And grant me, too, insight so that I can embrace your Word when it seems mysterious. I want to be able to walk with you and burn with passion for your Word -- even though I don't recognize the significance of what you are saying. And that will require humility. Amen.

Empowered

I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. ~ Psalm 16:8 (CEV)

Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn’t afraid of the king’s anger. ~ Hebrews 11:28 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Watching God at work gives us boldness to trust him in challenging situations.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are awesome. Thank you for standing by your people even during the most difficult times. I give up way too quickly and lower my expectations of what you can accomplish. I think I do this because I have not totally immersed myself in your story. Draw me back into the story told in the Bible. Help me to see it not so much as a bunch of rules but as your empowering message. I'm going to stand with you because I am seeing that you are already there standing with me. So I have no reason to fear. Amen.