God's kindness

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Nonetheless, the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you, and will rise up to show you compassion. ~ Isaiah 30:18 (CEB)

Christ Jesus is kind, and you must let him make you strong. ~ 2 Timothy 2:1 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God acts toward us with kindness.

PRAYER:

Lord God, you are so merciful and kind. You are generous and giving. But I am still trying to earn your affection. I try to keep rules and show up for all the right events to prove either to you or myself that I am worthy. Silly isn't it? Help me to see how much you love me even though I can never become worthy. It's not about what I am -- but totally about what you are -- kind, merciful, gracious... Amen!

Wordsmithing

Don’t spread harmful rumors or help a criminal by giving false evidence. ~ Exodus 23:1 (CEV)

The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. ~ Matthew 12:37 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Words have consequences.

PRAYER:

God, thank you for sending your Living Word into the world and my life. I confess that I don't think much about the words I use and how they might affect people. I'm more interested in getting them out there to show the world what I'm thinking and how my thoughts are so much better than all other thoughts. Yet, at other times I become careless with my words because my brain isn't engaged in what I'm saying. Please, Living Word, guide my word choices so that they reflect your love and your agenda for the people with whom I interact. I'm going to become a better wordsmith. Amen.

The resources of God through the Spirit

I am the Lord All-Powerful. So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. ~ Zechariah 4:6 (CEV)

But the Spirit makes us sure that God will accept us because of our faith in Christ. ~ Galatians 5:5 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The resources of God are made available to us through his Spirit.

PRAYER:

Holy Spirit, thank you for being here for us -- caring for us, empowering us, sharing divine insights with us. I don't rely on you in the way that I should. Help me to put my faith in Christ and you instead of putting faith in my ability to control my circumstances. I'm going to let you direct me. Amen.

Powerful

You, Lord, are the God our ancestors worshiped, and from heaven you rule every nation in the world. You are so powerful that no one can defeat you. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:6 (CEV)

I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Trust in what God is doing because his power is greater than anyone or anything that we can imagine.

PRAYER:

You God, are good and powerful -- more so than we an possibly realize. I have that idea down. Yet, the thing which troubles me is that I still live as though you are basically powerless. I wring my hands when I see injustice or the political games of our leaders. I allow it all to drag me down -- a defeated, hopeless, nonbeliever. Refresh my awareness of your power at work through Christ Jesus so that I can join all the believers who have gone before us in their glorious worship. Amen.