REDEMPTION

PSALM 103:2, 4 (MSG)
O my soul, bless God...
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.

LUKE 13:12-13 (MSG)
When Jesus saw her, he called her over. “Woman, you’re free!” He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.

THE ESSENCE
The freedom Jesus extends redeems us from a plethora of hells. 

DAILY FODDER
The woman Jesus healed in Luke 13:12-13 had been suffering from an arthritic condition for 18 years. It had deformed her back and filled her life with pain. What do you think she did on the day after Jesus set her free from that hellish condition? How did her life change? How did things change in her family? How did the experience intensify their faith?

PRAYER
Loving and merciful God, I thank you for the moments when your healing crosses over from the realm of eternity to give us a glimpse of what's coming. Free me from the pain and brokeness that limits my life. If freedom comes now, more glory to you. Help me to live with unending anticipation of your full and complete redemption. I'm filled with hope, even on the worst of days. 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 DECIDES

PSALM 82:8 (ABP)
Rise up, O God, and assert your authority over the earth,
for you reign over and control every single nation.

ACTS 10:34-35 (NTFE)
Peter took a deep breath and began.
"It’s become clear to me," he said, "that God really does show no favoritism. No: in every race, people who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him."

THE ESSENCE
God gets to decide who and what is acceptable. His decision is based on who looks to him and does right.

DAILY FODDER
Is this saying that we can earn God's acceptance by righteous living? How does the righteousness of Christ fit into God's decision? Why is Peter bending over backwards to stress that God is impartial in his decision making?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you've set the standard for what is right and just, and that you decide who is acceptable. Frankly, I can't image that there is anything about me that qualifies me. I can only come into your favor and presence through the righteousness of Christ worked out through his sacrifice and resurrection. So, I'm going to stick with him and allow him to make the case. Apart from him I haven't a leg to stand on or the potential to live in a way that is right and acceptable. He is my Savior — and Savior of all who look to him, regardless of ethnicity, social standing, or history. 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 IS KIND, BUT...

JEREMIAH 30:11 (MSG)
I’ll finish off all the godless nations
Among which I’ve scattered you,
but I won’t finish you off.
I’ll punish you, but fairly.
I won’t send you off with just a slap on the wrist.

ROMANS 2:4 (MSG)
God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.

THE ESSENCE
God is kind, but he’s not soft. 

DAILY FODDER
Are you more likely to think of God as an eternal teddy bear or a vindictive wild beast? How is thinking of him as kind different from either of the other two approaches?

PRAYER
Forgiving Lord, I often misinterpret your disciplining hand. Unlike me, when confronting wrongs you work through lovingkindness to redirect. Unfortunately, I too often long for revenge. Open my heart to understand your ways of redemption rather than retribution. Today, school me in your loving plan and heal my wounded heart. 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.

RESETTLED

The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost / Reformation Sunday

PSALM 63:3 (GNT)
Your constant love is better than life itself,
and so I will praise you.

COLOSSIANS 1:13 (ABP)
The Evil Empire held us prisoner, but God has yanked us clear of the darkness and resettled us in the kingdom of his beloved son.

THE ESSENCE
Through Christ Jesus, God's love overshadows the darkness in our lives. 

DAILY FODDER
How is resettlment in Jesus' Kingdom going? Are you dealing with any culture shock? 

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me from the power of evil and planting me in your kingdom governed by your love! Help me never to forget how you exploded and set me free from evil's quarry. Help me to grow in gratitude for all this and live a life of devoted service fueled by your love and promises. 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.