Belonging

This is the temple where you have chosen to be worshiped... 1 Kings 8:29a (CEV)

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. ~ Ephesians 2:19 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God opens the door to his household so we can all belong.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have kindly welcomed us into your presence -- and your family. You don't treat us as people often treat foreigners. I don't realize the significance of your hospitality. And I certainly haven't yet figured out that I need to practice the same kind of hospitality myself. Help me to become a truly welcoming person. I want to work with you to welcome others into your family. Amen.

Share

... share your food with hungry people. ~ Isaiah 58:7 (ABP / part)

The kind of sacrifice that makes God happy involves diligently sharing what you have with those in need. This is how you do good. ~ Hebrews 13:16 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

Share what you have with those in need and you will be doing the will of God.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for sharing your love with us. We are especially thankful for the gift of your Son Christ Jesus, whom you sent to us as both Savior and Life Director. I wish that I could share as freely as you but I worry too much about what that would do to me. Of course, I frame my reservation in terms of being responsible. Assist me in breaking loose of my distrust and stinginess. I 'm going to become recklessly generous - like you. Amen.

The Vulnerable

The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. ~ Psalm 146:9a (NLT)

Mary said: ... He drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing. He helps his servant Israel and is always merciful to his people. ~ Luke 1:52-54 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord frustrates the plans of bad people as he protects the vulnerable.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for caring for vulnerable people. I confess that it is most often convenient to side with the powerful. They have the means to make it worthwhile - especially since the poor are mostly invisible - overshadowed by the glitter and flash of the successful. Tune my heart to your priorities. Reset my eyes so I can see the real needs of the vulnerable. I'm going to go overboard in being merciful. I'm going to become like Christ who lives in me. Amen.

New Song Choir

Christ the King Sunday

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! ~ Psalm 96:1 (NLT)

After the vision of these things I looked, and there was a great number of people, so many that no one could count them. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language of the earth. They were all standing before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They were shouting in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” ~ Revelation 7:9-10 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

Let the whole earth join the praise choir.

PRAYER :

Lord, I don't sing so well. And I'm not just talking about music. But I want to be a part of the great praise choir formed from all the people and places in the world. Help me to grow in respect of them so I can sing alongside them. This is going to be awesome. Praise Jesus! Amen!