Overflowing joy

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

My very being longs, even yearns, for the Lord’s courtyards. My heart and my body will rejoice out loud to the living God! ~ Psalm 84:2 (CEB)

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me... I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ~ John 15:9,11 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Our connection to Jesus fills us with overflowing joy.

PRAYER:

Abiding Savior, because of your love you stick with us through both the good times and the bad times. I confess that when the bad times hit my first inclination is to panic. Keep me calm and trusting so that the overflow of your joy pouring from my life might be constant. Amen.

Powerful

I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. ~ Job 42:2 (NLT)

But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed..." ~ Matthew 8:8 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Ultimately God wins.

PRAYER:

Powerful God, it is unthinkable that anyone would intentionally stand-up to you. Your power is way beyond all opposition. Yet, I'm careless with what I do with my life. Not everything I do is for you and your purposes. Heal me from my short-sighted and self-driven ways. I'm going to be on your side. Amen.

Wisdom and faith

Jacob said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.” ~ Genesis 32:26 (CEB)

Then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat. She was thinking, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned and saw the woman and said, “Be encouraged, dear woman. You are made well because you believed.” And the woman was healed from that moment on. ~ Matthew 9:20-22 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

In faith we ask for bold things from God.

PRAYER:

God, I really admire people who ask for big things from you. I tend to be way more guarded, worrying over what it will look like if you say "no" to me -- as sometimes you need to do. Give to me a combination of faith and wisdom -- wisdom to know what I should be asking of you, and faith to ask for it. I am going to wrestle with you and seek your blessing. Amen.

Death to life

Then God said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they’re saying: ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us.’

“Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘God, the Master, says: I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! ~ Ezekiel 37:11-12 (MSG)

And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. ~ John 5:25 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God is giving life to our dead selves.

PRAYER:

Lord, it appears that you have no respect for death. You want to rob the grave to restore life in us all. Forgive me when I doubt. I am so used to living in the realm of the dead that it seems normal. Grant me a fresh sense of hope along with a fresh sense of life. Because of you I am going to live. Amen.