YOUR VOICE IS WELCOME

GENESIS 18:27 (TCEB)
   Abraham said, "Since I’ve had the chutzpah to speak up before the Lord, even though I’m not worthy of being heard, allow me to ask this."

MATTHEW 15:27-28 (MSG)
   She was quick: "You’re right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table."
   Jesus gave in. "Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!" 

  Right then her daughter became well.

THE ESSENCE
In God's world the "unworthy" are allowed voice.

DAILY FODDER
How much bolder would you be every day if you knew that your voice would be received? Which issues in life would you tackle? What’s stopping you from talking about these things with God?  

PRAYER
Lord, I'm grateful that you're interested in what I have to say. Forgive me for holding back. I know that I often don't know what I'm talking about but you welcome me into the conversation anyway. I trust that my place at your table, a gift from you, will change how I see things and who I am. You graciously save me from embarrassment. 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.

YOUR MISSION

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost

NEHEMIAH 9:5 (MSG)
On your feet! Bless GOD, your God, for ever and ever! Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise!

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 (GNT)
Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory.

THE ESSENCE
Your fulltime mission in life is to do everything in such a way that it honors God.

DAILY FODDER
How much effort does it take to do everything in such a way that it brings honor to God? Does it ever become second nature? How does one go about training for this mission? 

PRAYER
Lord of abundance, my life has been filled with so many opportunities that I exhaust myself trying to keep up. I regret that I no longer live to your glory but to my own satisfaction. Turn me around to be a blessing. In thanksgiving, I offer my glory and praise to you in each moment of my day. 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.

ALIGNED HEARTS

ISAIAH 29:13 (NLT)
And so the Lord says,
"These people say they are mine.
They honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me."

MATTHEW 15:11 (MSG)
“Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up.”

THE ESSENCE
Talk is often cheap. What matters are the actions that flow from our hearts — our lives. 

DAILY FODDER
In the ancient Hebrew worldview the heart served as a metaphor for the central processing unit of a person's life. Everything we think, feel, and do is controlled by the heart. What do your daily activities and actions reveal about the condition of your heart?

PRAYER
Loving God, you are worthy of all my devotion. I confess, though, that I allow ungodly influences into my heart. Renew my heart so that my words, and my actions, all completely align with my stated devotion to you. That alignment is what you care about. 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.

LISTENING

1 SAMUEL 3:9 (CEB)
Speak, LORD. Your servant is listening.

MATTHEW 7:24 (CEB)
Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock.

THE ESSENCE
The wise person listens to the Lord's direction and then acts accordingly.

DAILY FODDER
How has God spoken to you? What is he saying today? 

PRAYER
Thank you again, Lord, for sharing your wisdom with us. I regret that I am so busy trying to run my life that I often miss what you're saying. Teach me how to listen. Come run my life so that I can better listen and participate in your messaging to the world you love. May your words fill me and shape the way I live, bringing full honor to Christ Jesus, your living Word. 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.