DO EXACTLY

DEUTERONOMY 5:32 (TCEB)
That’s from the LORD. So be careful. Do exactly what he says. Don’t try to see what you can get away with. Live as law-abiding people.

JOHN 12:26 (TCEB)
Anyone who wants to work for me needs to go where I’m going. Wherever I am, that’s where my workers will be.

THE ESSENCE
Stick close to the boss and do exactly what he says.

DAILY FODDER
If you’re  trying to figure out how to succeed in life, the end of John 12:26 (not included above) is worth noting. "My Father will honor anyone who does this." All of this careful attention to what God the boss wants, does, and where he goes is duly noted and rewarded. 

PRAYER
Glorious God, you are worthy of our undivided attention and obedience. Forgive me for trying to juggle the world’s expectations alongside yours. Keep me focused on the things that matter to you. I want to serve you without missing a beat. 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.

FAITH

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 22:10 (GNT)
I have relied on you since the day I was born,
and you have always been my God.

2 TIMOTHY 1:5 (GNT)
I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also.

THE ESSENCE
Faith is a lifelong (even generational) endeavor.

DAILY FODDER
Somehow, faith has been reduced to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We treat the moment someone makes a decision for Christ as the high point of their faith. The scriptures consistently want us to view faith as a lifelong endeavor that ages like a good wine.

PRAYER
Faithful God, you were nurturing faith in me even before I was born. Thank you for the generations of faithful people who have trailblazed the way. Forgive my shortsighted views that stymie the development of my faith by treating it as a once-in-a-lifetime or a sometimes experience. Help me to grow into a faith-filled person whose trust in you leaves a mark for the generations that follow. I don't need to be famous or important, but I want to be a faithful link in the relational chain that spans the ages. 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.

AMBASSADORS

ISAIAH 6:8 (GNT)
   Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?”
   I answered, “I will go! Send me!”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 (CEB)
So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”

THE ESSENCE
Christ sends us as his ambassadors to all who need to accept his peace. 

DAILY FODDER
As a follower of Jesus, your primary mission in life is to represent him and his agenda for the world and each of its inhabitants. 

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for choosing me as your ambassador. I am here, answering your call. Use me. Send me. Equip me. Give me your words. Show your love to others through me. May I be a vessel of your grace and mercy. I am available. Walk with me, Lord. I give you the glory. 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.

WORD

PSALM 33:6, 9 (NLT)
The LORD merely spoke,
   and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
   and all the stars were born.
For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.

MARK 7:34-35 (NLT)
Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly, the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

THE ESSENCE
A word from God has the power to change anything.

DAILY FODDER
Notice in the Mark 7 story that Jesus heals the man by speaking a word, and then the man can speak. Jesus' healing word is empowering on many levels.

PRAYER
All it takes is a word from you, God. You spoke the world into existence. You still speak healing words. Your words are authoritative. Yet, you allow us to ignore them, and I confess that I'm not always a good listener. Open my ears literally and figuratively. I really do want to hear what you have to say and to experience your word. I want to be able to share your words with everyone I can. 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.