GOD GIVEN POWER

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

ISAIAH 40:29 (NLT)
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 (NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Rely on God's power rather than using your power for him. 

DAILY FODDER
What's the biggest difference between relying on God's power and using your own?  

PRAYER
Thanks be to God that strength and sufficiency has your grace as a base. Forgive my dependence on my independence. Make my journey a cross shaped caring, not self-seeking glory. May the grace and strength you provide come to me and through me to others, as in weakness we discover our common ground and strength in Jesus. 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.

CRYING OUT TO GOD

PSALM 22:2 (CEV)
I cry out day and night,
but you don't answer,
and I can never rest.

HEBREWS 5:7 (NTFE)
During the time of Jesus’ earthly life, he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud shouts and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his devotion.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our cries to God never really fall on deaf ears. 

DAILY FODDER
If God is so attetive to our desperate cries, why do things not work out to my liking so much of the time? 

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you always hear my cries. Forgive my frustration when things don't work out as I planned. Help me to realize your salvation, even though I can't see the big picture. I'm going to trust you with my most desperate moments, knowing in faith that you do have the big picture in mind and my best interests in your heart. 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.

ABUSED

ISAIAH 53:3 (CEV)
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
“He is a nobody!”

JOHN 19:5 (MSG)
Pilate announced, “Here he is: the Man.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus was the disrespected savior.

DAILY FODDER
What difference does it make that Jesus was treated so poorly?

PRAYER
Precious Savior, we are thankful that you put up with such abuse to save us from death and sin. We tend to turn away from the ugliness of this aspect of our salvation and focus exclusively on how happy you make us feel. Help us to see the whole process so that we, too, would stand firm when we're disrespected on your behalf. 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.

FAITHFUL EXAMPLES

JEREMIAH 6:16 (CEV)
The LORD said:
   My people, when you stood
      at the crossroads,
   I told you, “Follow the road
      your ancestors took,
   and you will find peace.”

HEBREWS 6:11-12 (CEV)
We wish each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Tune into the example of those who have preceded us along the route of faithfulness.

DAILY FODDER
Not all the roads our ancestors took were faithful. How do you know when to follow their example and when to blaze a new pathway?

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for the stories of those who have attempted to follow you in the past. Forgive me for thinking that my moment is so unique that I don't have to pay attention to their witness. Lead me deeper into the biblical story so I can see where our pathes cross. I'm going to let ancient godly wisdom steer me along the modern path. 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.