LITTLE BOXES

1 KINGS 8:27 (CEB)
   Solomon said, "But how could God possibly live on earth? If heaven, even the highest heaven, can’t contain you, how can this temple that I’ve built contain you?"

JOHN 4:23 (MSG)
   But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
   “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

THE ESSENCE
God is way bigger than any of the little boxes we try to build around him.

DAILY FODDER
How aware are we of the boxes we build around God? How do we keep ourselves from becoming so small-minded?  

PRAYER 
Creator God of the universe, I’m grateful that you make yourself known. Forgive us for taking the miniscule amount of information we have about you and using it to construct restrictive systems that get in the way of people meeting you. Open my heart to the possibility that I know less than I think I do. I want to be the kind of person who worships you in spirit and truth. 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.

FALSE GODS

JEREMIAH 2:28 (CEB)
Where are the gods
   you have made for yourselves?
Let’s see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:14 (CEB)
So then, my dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods!

THE ESSENCE
Run from anything that involves honoring false gods.

DAILY FODDER
What are the false gods that are ubiquitous in your culture?  

PRAYER 
Gracious Father, I thank you for your steadfast love despite my shortcomings. I repent of chasing idols of power, pride, protection, and pleasure. Help me turn away from these distractions and fix my gaze on you. May my actions align with you alone, finding strength in your word while resisting the fleeting desires of this world. 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.

LONGING 24/7

The 5th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 26:9 (MSG)
Through the night my soul longs for you.
Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you.

MARK 1:35 (NLT)
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

THE ESSENCE
Fellowship with God is a 24/7 activity. 

DAILY FODDER
Does the desire for or presence of God ever impinge on your sleep? 

PRAYER 
Creator and Sustainer, I am thankful for the dawn's embrace, a reminder of your mercies renewed each morning. Forgive my moments of distraction when worldly cares eclipse communion with you like fog veiling the sunrise. Guide me to seek your presence diligently like a traveler tracing the path of the rising sun. May my soul awaken to your light. 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.

WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT

ISAIAH 49:8 (MSG)
GOD also says:
"When the time’s ripe, I answer you.
When victory’s due, I help you."

2 CORINTHIANS 6:2 (MSG)
God reminds us,
"I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help."

THE ESSENCE
When the time is right, God's salvation kicks into gear.  

DAILY FODDER
The thing that annoys people about God is that his timetable is different from ours. Although, I’m  pretty sure that no two people could agree on the perfect timetable. So perhaps it is wisests to accept God's. 

PRAYER 
Sovereign God, I'm glad that you're in charge. None of us have the wisdom to get things working together in the right direction. I admit there are times when I get frustrated and try to assert my personal agenda. Show me how to let go of that and to trust you. I'm going to need your wisdom—the wisdom emboddied in Christ Jesus our Savior. 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.