Along for the ride

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. ~ Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)

And my message was plain and simple -- like my preaching. When I presented Christ I didn't rely on fancy elocution and rhetorical expertise. Nope, I just trusted in the power of the Holy Spirit to make the case. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:4 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

Trust God and his message to produce his desired fruit.

PRAYER:

Dear God, I've heard that your message always produces fruit -- that it gets the job done. When I'm talking to people about Jesus I worry that I'm not clever enough or trained enough to make a good case. Maybe that's why telling people about Jesus is so stressful. Help me to chill and to trust that you're going to accomplish everything you desire. I'm just going to go along on the ride with you. Amen.

Called to tell

Trinity Sunday

But me? It’s good for me to be near God. I have taken my refuge in you, my Lord God, so I can talk all about your works! ~ Psalm 73:28 (CEB)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. ~ 1 Peter 2:9 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord has called us to tell everyone about the great things he does.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are so kind and loving. Your very existence is good news. But I allow this great news to become clouded by all the other things happening in the world. So, I am asking for wisdom in order that I might know the best way to talk about you and what you do. I'm going to become a convincing spokesperson for you. Amen.

Salvation for all

Then I will teach wrongdoers your ways, and sinners will come back to you. ~ Psalm 51:13 (CEB)

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ~ 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God desires salvation for all people .

PRAYER:

Thank you, God for being our rescuer. I wish that I could whole-heartedly desire the same for all. But there are people that, truth be told, I'd enjoy seeing escorted to hell. Replace my wishes with your passion. I want the passion of Christ the Savior to replace that of me the hard hearted judge. Amen.

Patient endurance

Abraham’s servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the Lord had chosen. ~ Genesis 24:21 (CEV)

You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. ~ Hebrews 10:36 (NCV)

KEY IDEA:

Patient endurance is necessary if we are going to do God's will.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the way that you are patient with me. I am the kind of person who expects to see quick results or I am inclined to move onto the next new thing. Fill me with the patience that can only come from you -- the patience which leads to endurance when things get difficult. I am going to develop the patience of Jesus. Amen.