GOD KNOWS

PSALM 90:8 (NLT)
You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.

1 JOHN 3:20 (TCEB)
Our conscience might condemn us from time to time. But God knows more than our conscience does. He knows everything. So, relax and be at peace.

THE ESSENCE
God is more aware of our guilty than we are, so let him handle it. 

DAILY FODDER
Faith is trusting God to handle all our guilt and shame—even when those things attack us after we've given them to God for forgiveness. 

PRAYER
Forgiving God, you know all my sins, even the ones I think I hide from you, yet you love me—thank you! I'm sorry for my deceitful actions and condemning ways. Guided by your light, help me share words of forgiveness with others who need to hear this promise of forgiveness and absolution given by 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.

UNITY

The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 13:8 (MSG)
Abram said to Lot, "Let’s not have fighting between us, between your shepherds and my shepherds. After all, we’re family."

EPHESIANS 4:3 (CEB)
Make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.

THE ESSENCE
Pour energy into maintaining unity. 

DAILY FODDER
Note the order in Ephesians 4:3. The Spirit creates the unity. We adjust in order to live into that God-given peace. Unity doesn't come from within or through our goodwill. It comes from beyond. Our assignment is to adjust. 

PRAYER
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for creating the peace and unity that we’re incapable of. Forgive me for acting as though it all rests on me and my peace plan. Show me how to set aside my agenda and to go with the flow of what you're doing. I'm going to let go of my critical spirit in order to notice what you're up to. You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working and being together, blaze the way. 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.

EVERYTHING

PSALM 104:4 (GNT)
You use the winds as your messengers
and flashes of lightning as your servants.

MATTHEW 28:2 (GNT)
Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.

THE ESSENCE
Everything is under God's command. 

DAILY FODDER
We tend to panic when all the conventional change agents — government, education, family, etc. — line up against godly causes. As frustrating as such moments are, don't lose the divine perspective and plunge yourself into a funk.

PRAYER
Creator Lord, in the beginning when you spoke earth, wind, and fire came to be. You have everything under your command. You have created me to be your minister declaring your great power and promises. Speak into my life your plan and purpose and help me share those words today. 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.

SHARING

ISAIAH 58:7 (GNT)
Share your food with the hungry.

MATTHEW 25:35 (CEB)
I was hungry and you gave me food to eat.

THE ESSENCE
One essential way of interacting with the presence of God is to share with those in need. 

DAILY FODDER
God's grace is channeled to us in various ways, including scrpriture reading, holy communion, and Christian fellowship. These are "means of grace." One means of grace, prominent in the teaching of Jesus, is the care we extend to those in need. When we give, we encounter the grace of God more intensely. That is, we receive as we give.  

PRAYER
Generous God, if it were not for your care and generosity, I wouldn't be here. Thank you. I regret, though, that I haven't yet fully embraced your generous spirit. I see caring for others as a burden to carry, rather than a natural part of living in your presence. Open my eyes to opportunites and my heart to the needs my neighbors, both here and abroad. I want giving to be the natural default mode, so much so that it's no big deal to share. 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.