MERCY

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 60:10 (TCEB)
In anger, I tore you down.
With mercy, I build you back.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:9 (TCEB)
God hasn’t scheduled us for punishment. For us, it’s salvation ahead, compliments of our leader, Jesus the Messiah.

THE ESSENCE
God's mercy prevails over anything else we deserve.

DAILY FODDER
Many older translations use the word "wrath" to describe God's anger or whatever punishment he dishes out. It's a good word but too often it's seen as something mechanical and without consideration of human weaknesses. Fortunately, whatever word is used in passages such as Isaiah 60:10, God’s mercy always seems to prevail. So, that's what we emphasize.

PRAYER
Kind God, I'm grateful that you don’t simply let us live with the consequences of our actions. We've broken the world and our relationship with you beyond what we can repair. Help me to fully grasp the magnitude of what you’ve mercifully done to recreate creation — to provide salvation. I want to shift from avoiding your wrath to emphasizing your great mercy. 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.

KNEEL

PSALM 95:6 (MSG)
So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before GOD, who made us!

LUKE 17:16 (MSG)
He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

THE ESSENCE
Whoever you are, whatever he's done for you, kneel in humility before Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
In ancient cultures one kneeled in front of someone to express honor and humility. How is honor and humility expressed in your culture? 

PRAYER
Creator, Redeemer, Healer God, you are worthy of honor from everyone. We admit that our worship has too often become a production rather than an act of honor and humility. Renew my worship. Scrape the calluses from my heart and put them on my knees. I want kneel at the feet of Jesus. 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.

MUD

JOB 10:12 (GNT)
You have given me life and constant love,
and your care has kept me alive.

JOHN 9:11 (GNT)
He answered, “The man called Jesus made some mud, rubbed it on my eyes, and told me to go to Siloam and wash my face. So I went, and as soon as I washed, I could see.”

THE ESSENCE
God gives and restores life.

DAILY FODDER
What is the significance of the mud that Jesus used to heal the man's eyes? Where else in the Bible does dirt play a role in God's life-giving story?  

PRAYER
Life-giving God, good things seem to happen when you play in the dirt. Forgive us for forgetting where we came from and the love which brought us so far. Remind me each time I see dirt and mud that you've used it to shape and patch us. It's all about your beyond-explanation care. 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 THE PROMISE KEEPER

 PSALM 105:8 (ABP)
God is still true to his covenant promises — and will continue to be so for thousands of generations — forever.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 (MSG)
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. 

THE ESSENCE
In Christ Jesus, all the promises of God burst into full bloom. 

DAILY FODDER
What does Paul mean, "God's Yes and our Yes together"? How does this put into perspective the aspects of God's ancient promises we don’t fully understand?

PRAYER
Glorious God, you are true to your word. With the arrival of Jesus we begin to realize that you under-promised so you could surprise us with even greater and grander grace. Forgive me for sweating over things I can't understand. Keep these things from blocking my view of Jesus, and his glorious victory over all that is anti-God. I'm going to add my "Amen" to him and what he does. That's the best anyone can do. 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.