Reading: Psalm 105:23-38

Father God,
 thank you for the effort expended
to rescue me from the grip of sin.
I appreciate you, Lord Jesus.
You were willing to lay down your life for me.
What awesome, undeserved love!
Amen.

— — — —

We continually ask God to fill you
with the knowledge of his will
through all the wisdom and understanding
that the Spirit gives,
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
and please him in every way:
bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power 
according to his glorious might
so that you may have great endurance and patience,
and giving joyful thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance 
of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness 
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:9-14 NIV)*