CARING FOR THE POOR

PROVERBS 17:5 (MSG)
Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator;
gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

JAMES 2:5 (CEB)
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

THE ESSENCE
Go out of your way to treat the poor well because they have special standing with God. 

DAILY FODDER
What does it say about you if you don't have any poor people around you? How do you give them extra consideration if they are invisible to you or so far from your daily routine that you never encounter them? How do you remedy that situation?

PRAYER
We're grateful, Lord, that you have a special place in your world for those who are poor in ours. Forgive us for our direct and indirect involvement in the marginalization of the poor. Give us eyes to see them and hearts ready to respond to their needs. I want to join you in your embrace of those who are in need. 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.

CONFIDENT TRUST

JUDGES 3:9 (NLT)
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them.

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

THE ESSENCE
It pays to stick with the Lord, even during tough times. 

DAILY FODDER
When you take a hard hit it will either knock the faith out of you or strengthen it. What makes the difference? How much is it possible to prepare ahead of time for those moments? How so?

PRAYER
God, you have been our Savior throughput the ages. Thank you for that. Forgive us for losing track of this history when tough times hit. Toughen up my faith now so that I bounce with confidence when I run into a problem. I'm going to allow you to sustain me without interuption. 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.

ABIDING LOVE

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

HOSEA 6:4 (CEV)
Your love for me disappears
more quickly than mist
or dew at sunrise.

JOHN 15:9 (NRSVUE)
Jesus: "Abide in my love."

THE ESSENCE
The kind of love that gets Jesus' attention is lasting love, because it is rooted in his love.

DAILY FODDER
So much of what we think of as "love" is closely akin to adolescent infatuation — affection felt strongly but briefly — until someone else grabs our attention. In contrast, Jesus is nurturing abiding love in his people. That is, the strength of it emerges over time. It is day after day after day of seeking to do his will, even on the days when we don't feel it as strongly. Indeed, it is making yourself at home in it. Perhaps we might use the metaphor of marriage (Jesus does!). Love is a healthy longterm relationship that only starts to really glow with time. The reason this works is that even when we're flaky, Jesus' love remains steady or abiding.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your abiding love. My affections toggle between hot and cold, but your love remains steady. Help me to lean into your unwavering affection and care, so that I grow in consistency. I'm wanting to develop love that has more to it than morning dew, the kind of love that would go to the cross. 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.

LEAPING FOR JOY

PSALM 92:4 (GNT)
Your mighty deeds, O LORD, make me glad;
because of what you have done, I sing for joy.

ACTS 3:8 (CEB)
Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.

THE ESSENCE
The incredible things God does release joy.

DAILY FODDER
Put yourself in the shoes of the crippled man God healed through Peter and John in Acts 3. Imagine the wave of emotion rolling over you as you realize that your legs have been restored. What will you do? How quickly will you be on your feet dancing? 

PRAYER
Loving Lord, my heart leaps for joy. You bless me in so many ways. You are always with me and for me. Your Spirit helps me grow in strength, grace, truth, and love. I see the works of your hands everywhere in the wonders of creation. May my joy lead to actions that bring praise and glory to you. 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.