SEEDS OF GOODNESS

PSALM 97:11 (MSG)
Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

LUKE 14:13-14 (MSG)
Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”

THE ESSENCE
The future is bright for those who nurture the seeds of goodness God has implanted in us.

DAILY FODDER
How are you nurturing the seeds of goodness, planted in your life by God? How do they grow?  

PRAYER
I'm very grateful that you plant the seeds of your goodness into us. Forgive me for ignoring them at times—focusing not on people who need to experience your goodness, but on those who might advance my life. Sometimes it's hard to discern the best way to go about inviting the misfits. God, give me the kind of wisdom and drive needed to nurture the seeds of your goodness. I want to be a blessing in the name of Christ Jesus, the tree of life. 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.

BUBBLEGUM

JOSHUA 24:18 (TCEB)
We’re sticking with the LORD. He is our God.

LUKE 5:27-28 (CEB)
Afterward, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him.

THE ESSENCE
Leave everything behind and stick with Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
I learned an expression from one of my Micronesian students. She was talking about her close friend and said, "We're bubblegum." When I asked what that meant, she said, "We stick together." That's a great picture of our relationship with Jesus. We're stuck to him like bubblegum because he's so very sticky.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for making yourself so sticky. I want to adhere to you like bubblegum, even though I allow other influencers to try and pull us apart. That's painful, but you hold tight. Today, I'm celebrating your stickiness. 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.

ZOOM OUT

PSALM 143:5 (GNT)
I remember the days gone by;
I think about all that you have done,
I bring to mind all your deeds.

LUKE 1:50 (GNT)
Mary said, "...from one generation to another he shows mercy to those who honor him."

THE ESSENCE
When considering God's merciful activity, it makes sense to sometimes zoom out and look at the bigger, multi-generational picture.  

DAILY FODDER
How are you benefiting from the mercy that God has shown to a previous generation?  

PRAYER
Merciful God, you have been faithful to us for generations. Forgive my short-sightedness, as though the only thing that matters is what you've done for me here and now. Help me to appreciate the grander picture of generational mercy. I'm going to work on connecting the dots. 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.

GOD REIGNS

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost

JUDGES 8:23 (MSG)
Gideon said, “I most certainly will not rule over you, nor will my son. God will reign over you.”

JOHN 20:28 (CEB)
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

THE ESSENCE
Despite our propensity to look for manageable leadership, God remains on the throne. Adjust accordingly.

DAILY FODDER
What is the primary way that you acknowledge God's sovereignty in the world and your life? 

PRAYER
Dearest Lord, I am grateful that you have given me the desire to choose life under your rule. Forgive me for compromising your standards and replacing them with precepts fashioned by humanity. Open the eyes of my heart to see your power and majesty. Choose me and I will run passionately after you and share your goodness with others! 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.