GOD'S LOVE

HOSEA 11:8-9 (MSG)
My insides churn in protest.
And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.

JOHN 3:16 (ABP)
God’s love for the world he created was so great that he offered up his one and only Son. And everyone who looks up to him and believes will escape the grip of death into a whole and lasting life.

THE ESSENCE
God's love trumps his disappointment and anger.

DAILY FODDER
If God's love for you trumps his disappointment and anger regarding what you’ve done, how then do you let go of the disappointment and anger you have about yourself and others? There is but one way — to embrace and lean into his love. This is possible because he makes himself present. Have you noticed him? What’s he saying to you today? 

PRAYER
God, I'm so grateful that love defines who you are. I believe in your Son Christ Jesus — the ultimate expression of that love. Yet, I'm  disappointed in my performance as a believer. Help me to break free from seeing performance as the bottom line. Refresh my experience with your love. I'm eager to share the good news of your love for the world — and me. You are so beyond anything the world has to offer. 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.

RAISING VALUES IN THE HUMAN NEIGHBORHOOD

ISAIAH 40:10 (MSG)
“Look! Your God!”
Look at him! GOD, the Master, comes in power,
ready to go into action.

REVELATION 21:3 (MSG)
“Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God.

THE ESSENCE
Through Christ, God is settling into our human neighborhood so we can live in his presence.

DAILY FODDER
How does having God as a neighbor increase the value of your home?

PRAYER
Emmanuel God, I'm grateful that you've come to live among us, raising the value of our lives by your mere proximity. I confess that much of the time, I'm somewhat oblivious to your presence, even though I call you my Savior. Help me to recognize the increased value that comes with your presence. I can see that you are here for us. I want my augmented life to be for you. 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.

A NEW ORDER BASED ON JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS

PSALM 98:9 (ABP)
GOD is coming as the judge who will make everything right on earth. You'll finally see justice, and there won't be any more bully nations because we'll all be treating each other fairly.

JOHN 5:30 (GNT)
Jesus: "I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants."

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the anticipated judge, arriving to establish a new order based on God's justice and fairness.  

DAILY FODDER
If Jesus came to initiate a new just order, his followers are his agents, implementing that order in his way and on his schedule.  

PRAYER
Redeemer, fill me with your righteousness. I desire to do your will. Help me to treat your people with fairness and value. I'm ready to lay aside my agenda for the day and focus on the work you have entrusted me to do. Chaperone me, Lord. Thank you that I don't have to do this alone. 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.

YOUR PROTECTOR

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 25:4 (ABP)
GOD, you've been a safe place for the poor — a sturdy fort for those in distress — a dry shelter for those caught in the storm — a shady place when the sun is beating down. Ruthless enemies attack like a winter storm.

MATTHEW 2:19-20 (ABP)
After Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and return to the land of Israel. Those who have been trying to murder him are dead.”

THE ESSENCE
Because God protected the baby Jesus, he lived to become the ultimate expression of God's protection for all humanity. 

DAILY FODDER
Day By Day (hymn by Lina Sandell)
Every day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me he made.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for looking out for me — more so than I could ever realize. I regret that I don't take full advantage of the safety and security you offer. I dance around trying to intimidate the adversary until I can do nothing but run into your fort. Train me so that my first response is to run to you. Afterall, through Jesus, you've already saved me from the forces of sin and death. 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.