Divine fixation

God sticks his head out of heaven.
     He looks around.
He’s looking for someone not stupid—
     one man, even, God-expectant,
     just one God-ready woman.
~ Psalm 14:2 (MSG)

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:2 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We're transformed when we fix our attention on God.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for looking down to us in order to lift us up. I confess that most, if not all, of my attention is consumed by what's happening around me. I don't bother to look up -- even though I say that I'm heavenly focused. Help me to really fix my attention where it belongs so that I can become a mature follower of Christ Jesus. Amen.

Stay in touch

Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly. ~ Psalm 5:3 (CEB)

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. ~ Ephesians 6:18 (CEV)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Keep praying.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for listening when I talk to you. Help me to listen for your responses and to wait with patient expectation. I can't keep this up on my own. I know because I've tried. I'm going to focus on simply staying in touch. Amen.

Forgive!

The 7th Sunday in Eastertide

As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped. ~ Psalm 130:4 (MSG)

Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. ~ Colossians 3:13b (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

When we're truly connected to God through Christ, forgiveness becomes a natural habit.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for so freely forgiving me. I confess, though, that in spite of my good intentions I am still harboring ill-will toward the people who have hurt me. Draw me closer to you so that as your blood flows through me I might forgive like you. I'm looking forward to the time when forgiveness becomes my default response. Amen.

The choice

Moses said: You have a choice—do you want the LORD to bless you, or do you want him to put a curse on you? Today I am giving you his laws, and if you obey him, he will bless you. But if you disobey him and worship those gods that have never done anything for you, the LORD will put a curse on you. ~ Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (CEV)

You serve the Lord Christ. But evildoers will receive their reward for their evil actions. There is no discrimination. ~ Colossians 3:24-25 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We can choose who we will serve but we will serve somebody.

PRAYER

Lord God, I can't think of a greater privelege than to be serving you. Of course, I'm still learning and I'm an easily distracted servant. Forgive me for turning my focus in directions that I should avoid. Guide me into your service. That is my choice. I want to share in your blessings! Amen.