STRAIGHT SHOOTING TO HONOR GOD

PSALM 115:1 (TCEB)
We don’t want the honor, LORD.
Not us.
You deserve the honor for who you are,
For showing love and devotion to your people.

JOHN 7:18 (MSG)
A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality.

THE ESSENCE
When our sole goal is to honor God, we don’t ever have to twist the facts or create fake news. 

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how do we genuinely honor the Lord? What undercuts the process of honoring him? 

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for the steadfast love I can trust. Like the sun, your splendor lights my path. Often, I make things up to polish my image, forgetting to listen to your voice before I speak. Open my ears to hear your voice, your heart to know your truth, and my mouth to glorify your name only. 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.

OUT OF THE GRAVE

 The 7th Sunday of Eastertide

PSALM 30:3 (MSG)
GOD, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.

JOHN 11:43-44 (TCEB)
When Jesus finished talking with the Father, in a loud voice he said, “Lazarus, come out!” Out came the dead man, walking. He wore strips of cloth over his body, which also covered his feet and hands. A cloth covered his face as well.

Jesus told the people, “Take those burial cloths off of him and let him go.”

THE ESSENCE
The good news for us is that God pulls people out of the grave. 

DAILY FODDER
What do you think Lazurus felt when Jesus called him from the grave? Stiff? Confused? Happy? 

PRAYER
Lord of life, I'm  grateful for the demonstrated promise that death is not the final word. Forgive me for living as though there is no future — despairing, irresponsible... Help me to live today in light of the sure hope we have of an uninterrupted life with you. I'm going to step foward in confident faith because Jesus has blazed the trail. 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.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

JOB 9:4 (CEB)
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

1 PETER 5:5 (CEB)
God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.

THE ESSENCE
God honors those who humbly accept him and his direction. 

DAILY FODDER
We're free to resist God and do our own thing but ultimately that's a pointless excercise. 

PRAYER
Wise and winsome God, you are my power, my strength. I regret when my heart is proud, for human pride has no place with you. Your signs are mercy and grace. Help me see through foolish pride in myself and others. Let "Humility" and "Grace-Received" be my names today as I share your way of promise and love. 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.

BUILDING OUT YOUR FAITH

JEREMIAH 50:5 (TCEB)
They’ll face Jerusalem as they pray,

Asking God to show them how to get there.

Then they’ll make an agreement with the Lord

That will never end—

A covenant no one will ever forget.

2 PETER 1:5-7 (MSG)
So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.

THE ESSENCE
Build out your faith. 

DAILY FODDER
When you read the list of essential qualities of a spiritual house in 2 Peter 1:5-7, which one is your primary focus these days? Which ones have you more or less mastered? 

PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for turning my face toward you. You are the source of all good gifts — faith, resilience, friendship, and love that moves mountains. I gladly receive your everlasting promise. Thank you for intervening when I've wandered. You set me on a sunlit path, your way of blessing a broken world that needs your enduring care. 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.