The Richness of the Message of Christ

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

—Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the rich message of Christ—and the example that He gave us to follow.  Help me to represent Him well, today.

I know that if I ever hope to represent Christ well, I must allow the truth of the message of Christ, in all of its richness, to fill every part of my life

Help to understand fully that this means that every thought that I allow to remain within my mind, every word that I speak, every action that I take, and every motive of my heart, must be a reflection of Christ in me.

Help me to teach and counsel others with all the wisdom that He gives—speaking only words of truth and grace in love—as I spend time in His Word and allow its rich message to fill me so completely that it can’t help but overflow to others.

Bring up from within me, psalms, hymns and spiritual songs of praise and worship, that I might sing for You—from a heart that is filled with gratitude—giving thanks, through Christ, to You.

Thank You for the message of Christ—and the example that He gave us to follow.  Help me to represent Him well, today.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Show Me, Lead Me, Teach Me, Save Me

Show me the right path, O LORD;
    point out the road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

—Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

O LORD, My GOD,

Show me the right path—the road that I should follow, the way that I should go.  Lead me by Your Truth, teach me by Your Spirit, and save me in every way—as I put all my hope in You, through every moment of each new day.

Help me to find the path that is right and good—the road where I find myself walking in intimate, personal relationship with You—where I choose to humbly serve You and obediently submit to Your will for me in all things.

By the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within me, open up my heart to receive the Truth You have waiting for me in Your Word—as You teach me to apply that Truth to every situation and circumstance, so I might always journey forward, moving ever closer to You.

Help me never forget that You are the God who saves me in every way—emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually—so that I put all of my hope in You, no matter what I face.

Show me the right path—the road that I should follow, the way that I should go.  Lead me by Your Truth, teach me by Your Spirit, and save me in every way—as I put all my hope in You, through every moment of each new day.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I Will Put My Hope in God!

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

—Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

O LORD, My God,

You are my Hope!  Yes, You are my never-failing Hope!  Help me fix my eyes on You and l will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

In those dark times of deep distress, when my soul is downcast and disturbed within me, grant me the wisdom to question myself, to question the truth of the thoughts that have me disquieted, and to focus my heart on things eternal—on all that You are to me, and on all that You say that I am in You.

Help me to exhort myself again, to stir up my faith anew, to put my hope in the One who never disappoints—to put my hope in You, alone—trusting that You are well able and ever-willing to do all that You have promised to do, according to Your Word.

And help me to begin to lift my praise to You—even in my distress—and wait expectantly as You lift me up into Your Presence where the Truth is found, where my strength and courage are renewed, and where my joy and peace are restored, because of my never-failing Hope!

You are my Hope!  Yes, You are my never-failing Hope!  Help me fix my eyes on You, and I will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.