THE SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT

The Third Sunday after Epiphany

ISAIAH 42:3 (MSG)
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.

MATTHEW 18:10 (MSG)
Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't write off the world's small and insignificant because they are key players in God's economy.

DAILY FODDER
Who are the small and insignificant in your world? How can you pay more attention to them?

PRAYER
Tender and merciful Lord, your gentle love comforts me. I am grateful that, with your help, I will not break or fizzle out. Today I seek your mercy and healing for the frayed pieces of my life. Thank you for those you have called to minister to little ones. Bestow in them special blessings of energy, compassion, and kindness. 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.

SAVIOR

DEUTERONOMY 30:9 (GW)
The LORD will again delight in making you as prosperous as he made your ancestors.

LUKE 2:68-69 (NLT)
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
     because he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has sent us a mighty Savior
     from the royal line of his servant David...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the promised Savior from God, sent to free people.

DAILY FODDER
Other than fulfilling prophecies, why is it significant that Jesus came from the royal line of David?

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for sending Jesus to free us from that which naturally chains us. I am grateful for how this freedom is working out in my life. Continue to save me from the enemy who is trying to rechain me.  Forgive me for allowing his antics to discourage me and remind me daily of our Savior. I look to him to prosper my life in accordance with his agenda. 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.

VULNERABLE?

JONAH 2:8 (CEB)
Those deceived by worthless things lose their chance for mercy.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 (CEB)
Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Arrogant and self-serving people are easily drawn away from God's mercy.  

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think the arrogant and self-serving are more vulnerable?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you pour out your mercy to all who realize and acknowledge they need it. Forgive us for our over-confident and outrageously ambitious approach to life. Hook us up with Jesus and his ways. Flood my life with your humble mercy so that your love becomes my primary language. I realize that this is the only safe way to move forward. 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 SEES REALITY

JOB 13:9 (MSG)
How would you fare if you were in the witness stand?
Your lies might convince a jury—but would they convince God?

LUKE 16:15 (MSG)
So Jesus spoke to them: “You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance.
     What society sees and calls monumental,
     God sees through and calls monstrous."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God sees the reality behind the reality; so align yourself with him.

DAILY FODDER
If someone could see the real you, what would they see?

PRAYER
Holy One, you alone are pure of heart. I am grateful that you see into the motives of my heart and still love me. I am often motivated to seek justification by pleasing others. It's exhausting. Help me straighten out my priorities and live to please only you. Thank you for loving me and guiding me to walk in your ways. 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.