Your face should reflect Christ! 2 Corinthians 3:18

All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (THE MESSAGE)

Bragging about yourself. 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

Don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times. Be God’s fool – that’s the path to true wisdom. What the world calls smart, God calls stupid. It’s written in Scripture, He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls. I don’t want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift (The Message)

Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Be at peace! Psalms 131:1-2

God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. 2 I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. (THE MESSAGE)

Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Shine like stars! Daniel 12:3

Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever. (THE MESSAGE)

• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Complete your assignment. John 17:4

I glorified you on earth By completing down to the last detail What you assigned me to do. (THE MESSAGE)

• In this prayer, Jesus reminds the Father that His assignment (ESV and NIV use the term “work”) has been completed. Those things which were determined for Him to do have been accomplished. Like Jesus, we too have assignments. Some are fulfilled, yet some may go unfinished … perhaps some are even unknown to us. Pray today that: 1) our assignments would be made known; and 2) that we will do them.

Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Don’t Quit! Pray. Consistency wins the game! Luke 18:1

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. (THE MESSAGE)

• This verse, and the parables that follow remind us that the Christian walk is more than just a single event. It’s a daily process of committment and renewal. Yes, hard time may come. Disappointments may insue, but the answer lies in determined faith – Christ has promised to bring us through!
• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Relax! 1 Peter 5:6-7

Purpose to live your life in a more relaxed manner. Why are you so wound up about tomorrow? See 1 Peter 5:6-7

“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. 7 Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. ” (THE MESSAGE)

• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Don’t fret! Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (THE MESSAGE)

• Next time you catch yourself slipping back into self concern, rehashing that same old issue that’s got you tied-up into knots, pause for just a moment an remember this verse. Begin to pray. Pray-out your concerns. Pray for others. Pray for your family and congregation. As you take your eyes off yourself, Christ will indeed become your center.
• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Steep your life in God-reality, Matt 6:31-34

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (THE MESSAGE)

• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com

Go! Matt 28:18-20

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (THE MESSAGE)

• Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. http://www.navpress.com