THE HUMBLE AND LOWLY

1 SAMUEL 2:8 (CEB)
God raises the poor from the dust,
lifts up the needy from the garbage pile.

LUKE 1:46-48 (NLT)
Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl...

THE ESSENCE
God chooses to work through the humble and lowly.

DAILY FODDER
Both passages today are taken from songs written by women who have received good news about pregnancy. Very few sections of the Bible are directly attributed to women, but these songs are sophisticated and they point to a God who chooses to use the humble and lowly. Why is this message so powerful coming from the mouths of women? 

PRAYER
Praise to you, Almighty God, for choosing to speak through the humble and lowly. Forgive me for tuning out such people in my quest to identify with the strongest and most powerful. Teach me to seek a spot where I can humbly serve. It's only then that I can become a channel of your wonder and 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.

REDIRECTION

1 SAMUEL 9:27 (CEB)
"...stop for a bit so I can tell you God’s word."

MARK 1:17 (NTFE)
“Follow me!” said Jesus to them. “I’ll have you fishing for people!”

THE ESSENCE
When we follow Jesus we end up stopping what we're doing so we can do what he says.

DAILY FODDER
When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to give up their fishing business to follow him, he was offering to teach them something new. What exactly did Jesus mean, "I'll have you fishing for people"? What good things have you had to set aside to follow Jesus?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for redirecting our lives so we can live in service to you. I admit that sometimes your guiding voice is hard to hear because of all the ambition and activity in my life. Train me to stop long enough to listen to your leading. With your help I'm going to set aside all my personal goals so I can hear and embrace yours. 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.

REDEMPTION

PSALM 103:2, 4 (MSG)
O my soul, bless God...
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.

LUKE 13:12-13 (MSG)
When Jesus saw her, he called her over. “Woman, you’re free!” He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.

THE ESSENCE
The freedom Jesus extends redeems us from a plethora of hells. 

DAILY FODDER
The woman Jesus healed in Luke 13:12-13 had been suffering from an arthritic condition for 18 years. It had deformed her back and filled her life with pain. What do you think she did on the day after Jesus set her free from that hellish condition? How did her life change? How did things change in her family? How did the experience intensify their faith?

PRAYER
Loving and merciful God, I thank you for the moments when your healing crosses over from the realm of eternity to give us a glimpse of what's coming. Free me from the pain and brokeness that limits my life. If freedom comes now, more glory to you. Help me to live with unending anticipation of your full and complete redemption. I'm filled with hope, even on the worst of days. 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 DECIDES

PSALM 82:8 (ABP)
Rise up, O God, and assert your authority over the earth,
for you reign over and control every single nation.

ACTS 10:34-35 (NTFE)
Peter took a deep breath and began.
"It’s become clear to me," he said, "that God really does show no favoritism. No: in every race, people who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him."

THE ESSENCE
God gets to decide who and what is acceptable. His decision is based on who looks to him and does right.

DAILY FODDER
Is this saying that we can earn God's acceptance by righteous living? How does the righteousness of Christ fit into God's decision? Why is Peter bending over backwards to stress that God is impartial in his decision making?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you've set the standard for what is right and just, and that you decide who is acceptable. Frankly, I can't image that there is anything about me that qualifies me. I can only come into your favor and presence through the righteousness of Christ worked out through his sacrifice and resurrection. So, I'm going to stick with him and allow him to make the case. Apart from him I haven't a leg to stand on or the potential to live in a way that is right and acceptable. He is my Savior — and Savior of all who look to him, regardless of ethnicity, social standing, or history. 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.