SECOND CHANCES

JOEL 2:13 (MSG)
God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot,
This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe.

LUKE 13:8-9 (NLT)
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God wants us to take advantage of his generous second-chances nature.

DAILY FODDER
How many second-chances is God likely to give?

PRAYER
Generous God, I'm grateful that your mercy is beyond what any of us expect or understand. I'm prone to project my impatient vindictive self onto you. Free me from my faulty perceptions of self and you. I want to be the fig tree that finally produces good fruit for you—in spite of my slow starts. Amen.  

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

ESCAPE!

PSALM 124:7 (CEB)
We escaped like a bird from the hunters’ trap;
the trap was broken so we escaped!

LUKE 6:18 (CEV)
These people had come to listen to Jesus and to be healed of their diseases. All who were troubled by evil spirits were also healed.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is in the business of releasing people from the traps that ensnare them.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever escaped from an oppressive situation—health, debt, or otherwise?  What did that feel like? 

PRAYER
Savior God, you have a history of rescuing individuals and groups from the traps that ensnare them. We confess that much of what oppresses us is of our own doing. Even when we didn't create the problems, we give into fear and further entangle ourselves in the panic. Calm us down. Talk us into trusting you and your timing. I'm going to escape because I have faith in what you, Christ, have done and are doing. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CELEBRATE GOD!

PSALM 9:2 (ABP)
I'm going to let the bubbling joy overflow out of my heart as I celebrate you!
I'm going to sing praise songs to you, the highest and greastest God.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 (MSG)
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Celebrate God!

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so important for believers to celebrate God? How does this happen in your life?

PRAYER
O Most High, you have crowned me and all your children with glory and honor. Yet too often I live in fear for my future and for my loved ones. Instead of rejoicing, I cling to my "what ifs" and "if onlys." Today let me trust that in everything that happens to me, you are working for good. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

HOPE IN DISCOURAGING TIMES

The 26th Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 29:11 (MSG)
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

ROMANS 8:21 (CEB)
The creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is a future.

DAILY FODDER
This puts all the doom and gloom talk into perspective and gives us the hope that spurs us to action.

PRAYER
Great Creator, your plan is to complete the redemption of all creation, even if we are working against you at times. I admit that I'm discouraged by how things are going in the world. It sucks the hope out of me and makes me lethargic. Restir the hope of Christ in me so that I can join you in the work of renewing all creation. Thank you for including me in your plans. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.