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May 30, 2013

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Prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER, MESSAGE STYLE

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best — as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!   Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Matthew 6:9-13 (MSG)]

Let’s always remember that it’s not the words we say to God, but the thoughts behind those words that are of importance.

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May 29, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness

A LITTLE SELF-EXAMINATION IS IN ORDER

So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? [Matthew 7:3 (GW)]

In 2 Samuel, Nathan comes to David and tells him a story about a villainous man who has taken a neighbor’s lamb for himself when he had lambs enough of his own. “This man deserves to die!” is David’s quick condemnation. Nathan then points out that the villainous man is David himself, who has both killed his neighbor and taken his neighbor’s wife in adultery. We’re often like David in that it’s easy for us to see the sins of others and yet not recognize our own flaws and offenses. Lord, keep us from judging the faults of others when what we really need to do is acknowledge our own transgressions.

I have sinned against the Lord. [2 Samuel 12:13 (NLT)]

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May 28, 2013

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Faith & Hope, Prayer

HE’S JUST A PRAYER AWAY

The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help. [Psalm 145:18 (ERV)]

When we finally stop trying to fix the world around us by ourselves, when we admit our own shortcomings, and when, at long last, we finally acknowledge our weakness, we are left only with this simple prayer: “God, help me!” And that, thankfully, is all the prayer we need.

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May 27, 2013

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Forgiveness, Holy Spirit

GENESIS WEEK

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with a willing spirit. [Psalm 51:10-12 (ASV)]

Thank you, God, for always taking me back when I’ve wandered away. May I be a better person today than I was yesterday and a better person tomorrow than I am today.

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! [Psalm 51:10-12 (MSG)]

 

 

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May 26, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Today: Make it Count

TODAY IS THE DAY THAT COUNTS

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” [Proverbs 3:27-28 (NLT)]

Lord, I seem to expect you to respond immediately to my requests. Why do I seem so willing, then, to defer my responses to the requests of others? Help me make this day count!

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. [Mahatma Gandhi]

Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash in hand; spend it wisely. [Kay Lyons]

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May 25, 2013

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Bible Stories, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises, Trusting God

BELIEVE HIS PROMISES

The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord. [Psalm 106:24-25 (NLT)]

When the Israelites scouted out Canaan, they saw a rich and fertile country. Rather than believing God’s promise that the land would be theirs, however, they focused on their fears of the land’s inhabitants. Not only did they forget all of God’s previous miracles that led them out of slavery and through the wilderness, but the Israelites also doubted His promise to safely deliver them into Canaan. In fear, they refused to enter it. Because they were unwilling to take a simple step of faith, these people never lived to set foot in the Promised Land and it was forty more years of wandering in the wilderness before their offspring eventually did.

O Lord, what gifts of yours are we missing simply because we don’t trust you? What steps of faith do we need to take in order to enjoy your many blessings? Don’t let us forget your past miracles when faced with present challenges.