Prayer in a world of 'shortcuts'

I read and prayed this prayer in my devotional time this morning - may it be a blessing to you!

Holy One, so often we claim to see but prefer our blindness. Send us teachers and saints whose lives speak loudly of faith and perseverance to guide us when we unknowingly stray from wisdom’s course. Help us to find the Way, the Truth, and the Life in this world of shortcuts, deception, and death. Amen.

Abiding Life

In reflecting on John 15, I have pondered much on this idea of abiding in Christ.  The word often means 'accepting a decision or verdict' in our modern culture but, in John's usage, it has to do with close connection.  Walking with Jesus changes us.  To abide with Him is to literally be with Him, hang out with Him, talk to Him, learn His ways, etc.  In fact, the only way our lives produce fruit like love, joy, peace & patience (see Galatians 5) is through being attached & connected to Jesus.

I'm saying this prayer today in this pursuit of abiding:  Lord God, we rejoice in your resurrection and in your promise to return. Help us live today as -people who await the fulfillment of your kingdom. Bend our knees to the hard work of prayer, worship, repentance, and intercession. Amen.

He delights in us!

In yesterday's message from John 14, I talked about the idea of delighting what Jesus delights in which is another way of speaking to our love & obedience.  This morning I ran across this statement from Psalm 18 and how the Lord feels about us:

  "he rescued me because he delighted in me."

This is a big deal.  He doesn't love us or save us because He needs us; He chooses to save us from His overflowing delight in us.  Truly a Father!