ADVOCATES FOR THE VULNERABLE

PROVERBS 31:8-9 (MSG)
Speak up for the people who have no voice,
for the rights of all the misfits.
Speak out for justice!
Stand up for the poor and destitute!

MARK 2:3-4 (TCEB)
Some people came to the house with a paralyzed man, carried by four men. They couldn’t work their way through the crowd, so they broke through the roof. They tore open a hole above where Jesus was standing. Then they lowered the paralyzed man, who was laying on a mat.

THE ESSENCE
God expects us to advocate for the vulnerable.

DAILY FODDER
I'm thinking of the four men who advocated for the paralyzed man by trying to get him to Jesus. But the crowd of people listening to Jesus wouldn't make way. 

It makes me wonder if those in the crowd were really listening to Jesus or if they were just there because of the excitement. 

PRAYER
Jesus, you care for every person and do not discriminate between who deserves your love and healing. I regret I do not speak up for the compromised. Open my heart to be sensitive to those who are repressed and in need of your healing. May I be a friend that helps those in need and connects them with 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.

GOD’S WELCOME

DANIEL 9:4-5 (MSG)
O Master, great and august God. You never waver in your covenant commitment, never give up on those who love you and do what you say. Yet we have sinned in every way imaginable.

JOHN 6:37 (GNT)
Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me...

THE ESSENCE
God's loving welcome, even of sinful people, is mind-boggling. 

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever been turned away by someone you considered important? How did that make you feel? How does it make you feel when you hear that God will never turn you away when you turn to him?

PRAYER
Kind God, I'm refreshed by the knowledge that you welcome even people like me into your life. Forgive me for how inconsistent I am in taking you up on your offer. Draw me closer so that turning to you is my first inclination in every moment. I want to be with you because you want to be with me. 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.

PROVISION

PSALM 90:16 (MSG)
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
the ways you rule and bless your children.

LUKE 12:27 (TCEB)
Think about the lilies, and about how they grow out in the wild. They don’t work. They don’t spin fabric to make clothes for themselves. But I’ll tell you this, not even King Solomon decked out in his best royal robes looked as handsome as a lily.

THE ESSENCE
God's provision is spectacular.

DAILY FODDER
   What prevents you from noticing all the manifestations of God's provision around you?
   I have different prayer themes for each day of the week. On Sundays, the defining words are REST and ATTENTION. Once I intentionally slow things down to a restful crawl, I can start to pay attention to the wonders around me and listen to what God might be saying in that moment.

PRAYER
Provider God, thank you for giving me more than I need. I have all my daily needs provided. Now I am clothed with a glorious power, free from anxiety. I am grateful you call me to be your servant. Make me a determined worker in your kingdom who serves with gladness and humility. 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.

GODLY LIVES

The 4th Sunday of Eastertide

ECCLESIASTES 7:29 (TCEB)
God made humans as simple creatures.
But we complicate our lives
By the schemes and plots we invent.

TITUS 2:11-12 (CEB)
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world.

THE ESSENCE
God's goal for us is simple — to live godly lives. 

DAILY FODDER
What exactly is godly living? How is it related to being sensible and ethical? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, today I'm grateful for your intervention. You called us to do one thing — to live sensible, ethical, and godly lives. But we continue to complicate matters as we plot and scheme to improve our positions in life. Help us to hold on to the life ring Christ Jesus tossed us. I know that as you draw me across the rough water closer to yourself I'll be able to safely live into your salvation. Once again, I see that it’s all about your grace. 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.