THE SPIRIT'S SURPRISE

Pentecost Sunday

PSALM 24:7 (TCEB)
Open up, city gates.
Open wide, old doors.
Here comes the king in all his glory.
Let him in.

ACTS 2:2, 4 (TCEB)
Suddenly, they heard a loud noise above them in the sky. It sounded like a violent blast of wind.... The Holy Spirit filled every person there. And the people started to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability.

THE ESSENCE
The coming of the Holy Spirit changes everything, when we open the doors for him. 

DAILY FODDER
What surprising abilities has the Spirit given to you?   

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, we welcome your mind-blowing presence. Although, I admit it is difficult to shift in the direction you're moving because I enjoy established patterns. Help me become more responsive to your presence among us. I want to become a part of what you're  doing, even when it's something I could not have imagined. 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.

GREAT LOVE

JOB 37:5 (ABP)
God does incredible things that are beyond human comprehension.

MATTHEW 5:45 (TCEB)
For he shows his love to everyone. He brings the sun up in the morning and makes it shine on the bad and the good. And he sends the rain to shower the innocent and the guilty.

THE ESSENCE
The depths of God's love and care are incomprehensible and inexplicable. 

DAILY FODDER
Even though God's actions are incomprehensible he reveals enough that anyone can turn to him. 

PRAYER
God, I don't understand your ways. But while I have only a point of view, you have the full view. Thank you for the grace that covers everyone, even people I struggle to love. When injustice oppresses me and others, remind me that I already have all I need. Grant me the joy of celebrating your love for all. 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.

GOD ALONE

DEUTERONOMY 10:21 (NLT)
He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise...

JOHN 16:27 (GNT)
The Father himself loves you.

THE ESSENCE
We can always look to God because he loves us.  

DAILY FODDER
What does God get out of loving us? What does God need to get? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, as your beloved child I am thankful I can talk with you anytime, from any distance. I regret that I distrust and distort the clear line of communication made possible by Jesus. Grant me the courage to claim your word with authority. Help me to see the people who need assurance they can call on you. 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.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

PSALM 150:2 (TCEB)
Thank him for his awesome work.
Praise him for how awesome he is.

COLOSSIANS 3:16 (TCEB)
Keep the stories and teachings of Jesus alive in your life—vibrantly alive. Draw from them wisely as you teach each other and as you correct each other when necessary. You’ll also find help by singing psalms, hymns, and other spiritual songs. Sing them all with gratitude in your heart for what God has done.

THE ESSENCE
Praise God through your thankfulness. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the difference between thankfulness and praise? How does thankfulness fuel praise? How do we maintain a high level of thanksgiving and praise in our lives? 

PRAYER
Awesome God, when I consider all that you have done and are doing I'm thankful. And when I think about it, it helps me recognize who you are as a being. Forgive me for failing to make the connections because I'm so caught up in everything that I am unaware. Fill my life with the kind of teaching and singing that draws out the gratitude and ultimately the praise that is rightfully yours. I'm going to allow the Jesus story to nurture thanksgiving and praise. 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.