A NEW ORDER BASED ON JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS

PSALM 98:9 (ABP)
GOD is coming as the judge who will make everything right on earth. You'll finally see justice, and there won't be any more bully nations because we'll all be treating each other fairly.

JOHN 5:30 (GNT)
Jesus: "I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants."

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the anticipated judge, arriving to establish a new order based on God's justice and fairness.  

DAILY FODDER
If Jesus came to initiate a new just order, his followers are his agents, implementing that order in his way and on his schedule.  

PRAYER
Redeemer, fill me with your righteousness. I desire to do your will. Help me to treat your people with fairness and value. I'm ready to lay aside my agenda for the day and focus on the work you have entrusted me to do. Chaperone me, Lord. Thank you that I don't have to do this alone. 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.

YOUR PROTECTOR

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 25:4 (ABP)
GOD, you've been a safe place for the poor — a sturdy fort for those in distress — a dry shelter for those caught in the storm — a shady place when the sun is beating down. Ruthless enemies attack like a winter storm.

MATTHEW 2:19-20 (ABP)
After Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and return to the land of Israel. Those who have been trying to murder him are dead.”

THE ESSENCE
Because God protected the baby Jesus, he lived to become the ultimate expression of God's protection for all humanity. 

DAILY FODDER
Day By Day (hymn by Lina Sandell)
Every day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me he made.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for looking out for me — more so than I could ever realize. I regret that I don't take full advantage of the safety and security you offer. I dance around trying to intimidate the adversary until I can do nothing but run into your fort. Train me so that my first response is to run to you. Afterall, through Jesus, you've already saved me from the forces of sin and death. 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.

NO NEED TO PANIC

PSALM 46:10 (ABP)
Fact — I'm God. So, stand down, and let me do all the fighting that needs doing.

MATTHEW 14:33 (TCEB)
The disciples in the boat stopped to worship Jesus by acknowledging, “You are, without a doubt, the Son of God.”

THE ESSENCE
Don't panic, God is in the boat with you and will take care of it. 

DAILY FODDER
Some of us enjoy the rush of being in panic mode, so much so that we unconsciously seek out opportunities to panic. Some can regulate the impulse by taking roller coaster rides. But that’s only a short-term fix. One way to shut down the panic impulse is by rehearsing ahead time what you'll do and say when a situation arises. Until it becomes second nature, practice saying, "God, I know you've go this and I'm going to let you handle it."

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful that you’re forever on duty, offering all the protection I really need. Forgive me for embracing my impulse to panic when faced with overwhelming circumstances. Train me so that when I'm next facing such a situation, it will be second nature to stand down, step out of the way, and allow you to do what only you can do. I know that you'll handle it. 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.

WHATEVER YOU DO

ECCLESIASTES 9:10 (ABP)
This is your one chance to pour your energy into living life. Once you're in the grave (which is where you're headed), there are no mulligans, and you won't have another opportunity to work things out, think through the challenges, or exercise wisdom.

COLOSSIANS 3:17 (NLT)
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

THE ESSENCE
Whatever you do with your life, do it on behalf of the Lord Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
The greatest privilege of my life is to represent the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Glorious God, there is no greater privilege than to represent you and your agenda for the world. Forgive me for living parts of my life as though it's all about me and what I want to see happen. Help me to take my sole responsibility as an ambassador of Christ and his kingdom seriously. With gratitude, I'm going to pour myself into the things you think are important. 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.