Amazing and Awesome God,
You are all-knowing. There is not an event in the universe that escapes your mind, and not a thought that passes through the mind of humans that is not known to you. The ocean of information that is new every second is not too great for you, and the smallest, most trifling occurrence in my day is not too small for you. You have knowledge of all, and of each.
Your wisdom and power are amazing, God. You have created this world and you care for it. You know all, even the most hurtful, damaging thoughts we think, and still you love us, and still you offer redemption and new life to us. When our minds become twisted and hateful, you still create a pathway through repentance back to new life, back to wholeness. When we turn violently against you and one another, you open your arms on the cross and let the vastness of your love be known for all to see and all to be saved. You redeem, you provide, you rescue, you save.
Lord, you know all. You care about all. Your hands are at work in each and every life. Thank you, Lord, for how deeply you care and how well you provide. Remind me throughout this day to be amazed at how wonderful you are.
Amen
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Nehemiah 8:13-18
Nehemiah 8:13-18
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sometimes, it's important to remember just how far you've come. We get so accustomed to our current surroundings that we often forget how long the journey was and just how challenging it was to get there. We just think it's always been this way, and we also tend to forget about the people who helped us reach our current state. They fade from memory, but our own effort remains.
So the Jews had this festival to go and live in temporary structures for a time to remember when they were wanderers in the wilderness. It reminded them that God had led them through, that God had helped them triumph over the wilderness, that they had come through chaos and found order. It was a good reminder that they hadn't done this on their own, that they needed God in order to go forward. They hadn't made it to Jerusalem on their own.
Wherever you are, you haven't made it their on your own. People have helped you out. God has led you and equipped you. God has made it possible for you to make it this far, and it's worth taking some time out to stop and thank God for leading you this far, and to pray for the grace to go forward from here.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sometimes, it's important to remember just how far you've come. We get so accustomed to our current surroundings that we often forget how long the journey was and just how challenging it was to get there. We just think it's always been this way, and we also tend to forget about the people who helped us reach our current state. They fade from memory, but our own effort remains.
So the Jews had this festival to go and live in temporary structures for a time to remember when they were wanderers in the wilderness. It reminded them that God had led them through, that God had helped them triumph over the wilderness, that they had come through chaos and found order. It was a good reminder that they hadn't done this on their own, that they needed God in order to go forward. They hadn't made it to Jerusalem on their own.
Wherever you are, you haven't made it their on your own. People have helped you out. God has led you and equipped you. God has made it possible for you to make it this far, and it's worth taking some time out to stop and thank God for leading you this far, and to pray for the grace to go forward from here.
Monday, June 1, 2015
A Prayer for Monday, June 1
Holy God,
It's a new day. The earth that you have made and continue to support has twirled in its orbit and the sun has started to rise, and today is filled with possibility. Throughout today, your Spirit will be alive and you will be on the move, awakening hearts to the reality of your presence and opening eyes to your work in the midst of our broken and beautiful world. May this life be interested in your work today. May this heart break for the things that break your heart, and may these hands join in demonstrating your Kingdom to the world.
You spent your earthly ministering serving those in need and loving those who were around you. May I do the same, focused on the person in front of me, next to me, rather than worrying about so many distant and unfounded things. May this moment be an offering to you, and when it is finished, may I turn to the next, taking things one step, one person, one word and one action at a time, ensuring that it glorifies you, and then, and only then, moving forward. Keep me from rushing into the future -- may I trust that it will arrive on your time, and that I will be strengthened for the moment when it arrives.
Amen
It's a new day. The earth that you have made and continue to support has twirled in its orbit and the sun has started to rise, and today is filled with possibility. Throughout today, your Spirit will be alive and you will be on the move, awakening hearts to the reality of your presence and opening eyes to your work in the midst of our broken and beautiful world. May this life be interested in your work today. May this heart break for the things that break your heart, and may these hands join in demonstrating your Kingdom to the world.
You spent your earthly ministering serving those in need and loving those who were around you. May I do the same, focused on the person in front of me, next to me, rather than worrying about so many distant and unfounded things. May this moment be an offering to you, and when it is finished, may I turn to the next, taking things one step, one person, one word and one action at a time, ensuring that it glorifies you, and then, and only then, moving forward. Keep me from rushing into the future -- may I trust that it will arrive on your time, and that I will be strengthened for the moment when it arrives.
Amen
Nehemiah 8:9-12
Nehemiah 8:9-12
English Standard Version (ESV)
When we stop and look back at how God wants us to live, and then we compare that with how we are actually living, there is often cause for weeping. God calls us to live in community, selflessly serving one another and showing unconditional love to all, including our enemies. Our focus should be on God's Kingdom, rather than our own wants and desires.
I know my own life is far from this reality, and so there is cause for weeping. But Nehemiah and Ezra remind the people that they need not grieve--there is cause for celebration, for God is merciful and kind, inviting us into a life of repentance that leads to new life. God is generous and wants us to turn back to him, and so while there is an appropriate time to mourn, there is also time to feast and celebrate the goodness and mercy of God. May the joy and peace of God animate us to live with gratitude in our hearts and to share the mercy of God with others. There will be time for mourning--let us remember to celebrate how wondrous our God is!
English Standard Version (ESV)
When we stop and look back at how God wants us to live, and then we compare that with how we are actually living, there is often cause for weeping. God calls us to live in community, selflessly serving one another and showing unconditional love to all, including our enemies. Our focus should be on God's Kingdom, rather than our own wants and desires.
I know my own life is far from this reality, and so there is cause for weeping. But Nehemiah and Ezra remind the people that they need not grieve--there is cause for celebration, for God is merciful and kind, inviting us into a life of repentance that leads to new life. God is generous and wants us to turn back to him, and so while there is an appropriate time to mourn, there is also time to feast and celebrate the goodness and mercy of God. May the joy and peace of God animate us to live with gratitude in our hearts and to share the mercy of God with others. There will be time for mourning--let us remember to celebrate how wondrous our God is!
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