GOD DEALS WITH THE THREATS

ISAIAH 41:10 (MSG)
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

ACTS 4:29 (GNT)
And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.

THE ESSENCE
If we let God deal with the threats, we won't be intimidated into backing down from delivering his messages. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the message God has asked you to deliver? What kinds of threats might a believer in your situation experience? Are they life threatening threats or simply humiliating?  

PRAYER
God of grace and mercy, thank you for not only entrusting us with your messages but also then backing us up. We confess that we often feel intimidated when delivering your messages because people react when they're presented with ideas that challenge their entrenched positions. Help me to relax into the boldness that you give. Through the Holy Spirit, resident in my life, I'm going to become your faithful messenger. 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.

DIVERSITY

PSALM 89:11-12 (MSG)
You own the cosmos—you made everything in it,
everything from atom to archangel.
You positioned the North and South Poles...

ACTS 17:25-27 (MSG)
He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God...

THE ESSENCE
God is the creator behind the diversity. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the personal implications of a single God being the responsible party behind all the diversity of creation? Yes, this says something about who we worship. But it also reveals whose plan and voice we need to attend to. 

PRAYER
God of everyone, I'm amazed at what you've done—and the people—all the diversity from a single source. Forgive me for being casual about the diversity. Help me to see how it all fits into your plan so I can speak up on behalf of all who are different from me, and for our common home. I start my care assignment with awe. 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 STOPPING

The Third Sunday in Lent

GENESIS 18:3 (CEB)
He said, "Sirs, if you would be so kind, don’t just pass by your servant."

LUKE 19:5 (CEB)
When Jesus came to that spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down at once. I must stay in your home today.”

THE ESSENCE
When God sees genuine interest, he stops.  

DAILY FODDER
Why would God be so willing to stop for such unremarakable people? How is this good news for you? 

PRAYER
God, I’m grateful that you are a "people person" — that you are willing to interject yourself into the lives of ordinary drifting broken people. Forgive me for acting as though I have somehow made myself attractive to you. Help me to express genuine gratitude and welcome. Seeing the types of people you embrace in the Bible keeps me from getting a big head. 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.

TO SEE JESUS IS...

PSALM 115:2-3 (CEB)
Why do the nations say,
“Where’s their God now?”
Our God is in heaven—
he can do whatever he wants!

JOHN 14:9 (MSG)
You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’

THE ESSENCE
To see Jesus is to see God. To know Jesus is to know God.  

DAILY FODDER
What are the implications of this claim by Jesus for how we read and understand the rest of the Bible? For how we relate to God? 

PRAYER
God of heaven and of earth, I praise you because it pleased you to reveal Jesus to me. When I see him, I see you. Help me to live by the light of his truth. I pray that wherever you lead me today, I can help people see you by seeing Jesus. Use me so people may say, "I know where God is." 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.