GOD REVEALS

PSALM 111:4 (CEB)
God is famous for his wondrous works.
The LORD is full of mercy and compassion.

LUKE 24:30-31 (CEV)
After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God reveals himself through what he does.

PRAYER
Glorious God, your marvelous endeavors give us a glimpse of who you are and what you're about. Even so, I allow my eyes to drift toward the new and shiny bling that the world offers as substitutes for the substantial. Reset my sight onto Jesus, who is the living definition of all that is eternally significant. Each and every moment I'm going to look toward my Savior. Amen.

SUCCESS

GENESIS 39:23 (CEV)
The LORD was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:6 (CEV)
I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't fool yourself, God is the source of all that is successful.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your involvement in our lives. Any growth I've experienced can be traced back to you. In my mind, though, I tend to focus exclusively on any effort that I might have contributed to the situation. Help me to focus on your role in the process. Not only will that keep me humble but it will bring honor to you. Amen.

SHORT IN LIFE, LONG IN HOPE

The Seventh Sunday of Eastertide

PSALM 90:10 (CEB)
We live at best to be seventy years old,
maybe eighty, if we’re strong.
But their duration brings hard work and trouble
because they go by so quickly.
And then we fly off.

2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 (MSG)
May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Life is short but God enlivens us with an eternal outlook.

PRAYER
God of our days, I am grateful for your eternal comfort through our Lord Jesus Christ. Over time, my endurance wanes and I have fewer reserves of strength. I depend on you alone to carry me. My meaning in life rests in you. Let my words and actions strengthen others in every good work and deed. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

PATIENTLY

LAMENTATIONS 3:26 (ABP)
It's a good thing to wait -- patiently -- quietly-- hopefully -- for GOD to free us from oppression.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:5 (CEV)
I pray that the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Wait patiently for God to do his thing.

PRAYER
Loving God, you're definitely worth waiting for. I know that, but it doesn't stop me from being impatient with myself, others, and you. Free me from my attachment to a schedule. Show me how to live a vibrant hope-filled life while I wait to see how you are going to clean up this mess. I'm going to trust that your plan and schedule are the best. Amen.