God responds

In my trouble I called to the Lord. I cried out to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my call for help reached his ears. ~ Psalm 18:6 (NCV) 

Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “It will happen for you just as you have believed.” Their eyes were opened. ~ Matthew 9:29-30a (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God responds to our requests for help.

PRAYER:

Lord, I know that you respond to our cries for help. That is not a struggle for me. The problem for me is concern that you would respond in the way that I think is best. So help me to trust your wisdom and that you have the best of intentions for me. I'm going to refrain from panic when bad things happen because I know that you will deliever the best possible outcome and in the overall scheme of things it is what will do me the most good. For you are a good and responsive God. Amen.

Blessed to serve

Joshua fell to his knees and bowed down to the ground. “I am your servant,” he said. “Tell me what to do.” ~ Joshua 5:14b (CEV)

But God has blessed you, because your eyes can see and your ears can hear! ~ Matthew 13:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God has blessed us with the experience of his presence. We respond by serving him.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for allowing me to experience your good news for myself. In a very real sense my eyes have seen and my ears have heard. And it is all a gift from you! I too easily take it all for granted and I don't allow this blessing to fully penetrate into my life. So, I am responding to the prompt now and I am asking you to tell me what to do. I want to serve you as Jesus served us. Amen.

Don't go back

Someone might try to lead you to serve other gods—it might be your brother, your son or daughter, the wife you love, or a close friend. The person might say, “Let’s go and worship other gods.” ...Do not give in to such people. Do not listen... ~ Deuteronomy 13:6a,8a (NCV)

Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves of the Law again. ~ Galatians 5:1 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Don't get tricked into going back to living a pre-Christ life.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the freedom that Christ has given to us. But I get sucked into doing things the old pre-Christ way. I think it's because old habits die hard. Please continue to remind me of my freedom and the benefits of it. I'm going to spend my energy on things which are about freedom rather than on the things I do to try and impress. I'm going to be free from all that. Amen.

Telling

I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; I will praise you in the very center of the congregation! ~ Psalm 22:22 (CEB)

The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus’ followers what had happened. ~ Matthew 28:8 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

When you have an encounter with God you gotta' tell someone - everyone!

PRAYER:

God of good news! Resurrection! Victory! How is it that I'm so reserved when I've got such a message? I worry that I'll look too crazy for such an important person as I am. Please free me from all the illusions which feed my hyperactive self-conciousness. I want to be an enthusiastic messenger of good news. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!