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Day 6: John 6/Psalm 16
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Monday March 1, 2004
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Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the
Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
Psalm 16:1-2 (New International Version)
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A Safe
Relationship
Tonight my son told me that a friend from high school is now serving in
Iraq as a Marine. It seems like only yesterday that our yard was filled
with neighborhood children playing, and our weekends were busy with
soccer tournaments. As a father of two sons I appreciate the concern
parents feel for the safety and well being of their children. In a
world where our safety is questioned everyday and terrible tragedies
are witnessed live on TV, we are all reminded of our need to pray to
God for the safety of our family and other people all around the world.
English may be the
common language of global business and is the language required to be used
by the world’s air traffic control system, but in the Kingdom of God,
prayer is the language between God and all the people of the world.
Consider for just a moment that God speaks to each of us “while we were
still sinners.” We respond in prayer because “He first loved us.” (1
John 4:19)
There were
difficult times when those following Jesus decided to turn back and no
longer follow. "You do not want to leave too, do you?"
Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom
shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know
that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-69 (New International
Version)
Jesus taught his
followers to pray to God as if they were talking with their Father. A
Father wants his children to be safe. A Father wants to provide good
things for his children. In our relationship with God we discover more
than safety from injury or risk. In our relationship with God we find a
refuge--a place of safety or shelter. God pursues a loving relationship
with us as He hears us and speaks to us in our prayers.
Today’s
prayer:
Father in heaven, watch over and protect your children. Teach all
people your ways and give each of us strength to follow you. Thank you
for all the good things that come only from you.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (New International Version)
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For a complete
listing of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day
Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
John
6
o
Psalm
16
Hal McIntosh, mcintosh@cincyvineyard.com,
Associate Pastor and Leader of MercyWorks, a VCC ministry to serve the
needy
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