BRINGING TOGETHER MORE PEOPLE

ISAIAH 56:8 (NCV)
The Lord GOD says—
he who gathers the Israelites that were forced to leave their country:
   “I will bring together other people
   to join those who are already gathered.”

MATTHEW 24:14 (MSG)
The Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

THE ESSENCE
Good things are coming for more people as God wraps things up. 

DAILY FODDER
If God has his "chosen people" why is he determined to include others? 

PRAYER 
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you are committed to ever expanding your kingdom family. I confess, though, that I'm not so happy with some of those you want to include. They are different and challenging. Help me to adjust to your kingdom approach and radical hospitality so that I'm ready for your great wrap up. I'm going to focus on being with Jesus and welcoming all whom he welcomes. 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'S MESSAGE ACTIVATES DELIGHT

JEREMIAH 15:16 (MSG)
When your words showed up, I ate them—
swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being yours,
O GOD, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!

ACTS 8:38-39 (CEB)
He ordered that the carriage halt. Both Philip and the eunuch went down to the water, where Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit suddenly took Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

THE ESSENCE
God's message activates delight. 

DAILY FODDER
Sometimes what God says isn't the source of short-term delight but if we feast on his words the situation eventually changes. 

PRAYER 
Gracious God, thank you for your life-changing words. Forgive me for tasting without eating. Teach me how to chew and swallow your message to us. I'm going to feast on a steady diet of food from you. 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-LED ADVENTURES

GENESIS 46:3-4 (CEB)
   He said, "I am El, your father’s God. Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt because I will make a great nation of you there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I promise to bring you out again."

LUKE 18:28-30 (MSG)
   Peter tried to regain some initiative: “We left everything we owned and followed you, didn’t we?”
  “Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!”

THE ESSENCE
Don't be afraid of God-led adventures.

DAILY FODDER
What new adventure might God be calling you to undertake? 

PRAYER 
Great God, thank you for calling us to participate in your mission of remaking the world. Forgive me for stressing over every new step you call me to take. Help me to realize that nothing is given up in vain and that the rewards far exceed the sacrifices. I'm not going to stress over the sacrifices but like my Savior Jesus face them with confidence. 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.

DOING IT JESUS' WAY

PROVERBS 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.

2 TIMOTHY 1:13 (NLT)
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

THE ESSENCE
Live according to the ways that Christ lives.

DAILY FODDER
What are the top two or three things about the way that Christ lived that should be the most evident in the way we live? 

PRAYER 
Master Jesus, through your life, death, and resurrection, you have established a new pattern for life. Forgive us for embracing you in name but not your pattern. We love to argue and pontificate as though our words were yours. Help us humbly embrace your way of making the world a better place. I want to see your kingdom come here on earth so that everything that happens here will align with what is happening in heaven. 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.