Solid and deep

But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah. ~ Genesis 6:8 (MSG)

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. ~ Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

Sink your roots deeply into Christ and your life will stabilize.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for new life. I admit that I am too satisfied with shallow roots. I want everything to be easy. So, please push me to sink deeper roots into your being. I want to have your life flowing up into me. That's the way that I will become a stable person. Amen.

Among the people

The Lord said to Moses: All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the Lord. ~ Exodus 34:10 (CEB)

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. ~ Matthew 4:23 (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

Jesus is revealing the work of God to people everywhere.

PRAYER:

God, thank you for revealing your power -- your love -- yourself -- to ordinary people. Forgive me for limiting my evangelistic concern to people who are just like me. Help me to find ways to share your good news among all who cross my path. I'm going to join you in revealing your healing power. Amen.

Fairness

And it doesn’t matter if one is helpless and the other is powerful. Don’t be afraid of anyone! No matter who shows up in your court, God will help you make a fair decision. ~ Deuteronomy 1:17 (CEV)

God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. ~ Matthew 7:2 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

Treat others with extreme fairness and God will do the same for you.

PRAYER:

Merciful and gracious God, when I am quick to judge, slow me down. Give me patience and wisdom to listen to diverse views and the courage to face strong opposition. Then, when it comes time to make a judgment, fill me with your grace and mercy. I am grateful your judgment is imparted with great measures of love. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Water

The Second Sunday in Advent

You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. ~ Isaiah 58:11 (MSG)

Jesus said in a loud voice, ‘Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.’ ~ John 7:38 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

When we trust Jesus our lives become like well-watered gardens.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the abundance of life-giving water. Forgive me for living like there is some kind of drought. I act like I need to hoard water and make excuses for the sorry state of the veggies that grow in my life. Help me to tap into the water that you have already sent my way and to dismantle all that is obstructing the fee-flow of your life-giving abundance. I'm going to step out and turn on the hose. Amen.