GET MOVING

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

2 SAMUEL 22:37 (TCEB)
You’ve given me freedom to go where I want,
And there’s nothing to get in my way.

ACTS 3:6 (ABP)
Peter replied to the disabled begger, “I haven't a penny, but I've got something else to give. By the authority of Jesus the Messiah from Nazareth, stand up and start walking!”

THE ESSENCE
When Jesus sends us on our way, there is nothing powerful enough to block us. 

DAILY FODDER
If going where Jesus wants you to go is where you want to go, there is no stopping you.  

PRAYER
All-Powerful God, thank you for disrupting the unhealthy status quo and putting us on our feet to carry your loving message to the next point. Forgive me for being slow to rise. Give me exceptional confidence in my restored legs and the authoritative name of Jesus. I'm going to get moving. 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.

DISPLACING EVIL

PSALM 141:4 (ABP)
Keep my heart and mind from being sucked into evil.

EPHESIANS 5:8 (TCEB)
You used to live in spiritual darkness. Not anymore. You live in the light that the Lord shines on you. Own it. Embrace it. Then shine as children of light.

THE ESSENCE
Let the light of Christ so thoroughly saturate your life that you can’t do anything but shine. 

DAILY FODDER
The only way to avoid evil is to allow Christ full immersive access to your life. When he and his light are living in us, via the Holy Spirit, evil can’t get a foothold. It is displaced everytime it attempts to set up camp in or near us.  

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for your active presence in my life. I confess that I don't always make the right choices and that I occasionally entertain the dark thoughts that somehow show up in my head. Continue to evict those temptations. I'm trusting that the Holy Spirit will displace all such thoughts before they can take root. I'm giving him permission to turn up the light of Christ in my life. 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.

BETHLEHEM

MICAH 5:2 (MSG)
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

MATTHEW 2:1-2 (TCEB)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the province of Judea, when Herod the Great was king of the Jews. Later, a group of wise men known as magi showed up in Jerusalem. They came from a distant land somewhere in the east. They started asking around, “Where’s the boy who’s going to become king of the Jews? We saw the sign of his birth: a rising star. We came to honor him.”

THE ESSENCE
   Bethlehem illustrates God's propensity for putting small, faithful, and insignificant actors center stage at critical moments.    

DAILY FODDER
   In Hebrew Bethlehem means "House of Bread." Before King David was born and raised there, Bethlehem was the setting for the story of Ruth and Boaz. It was a small but happening place, the significance of which was most evident in retrospect. Although, the prophet Micah saw it as the future birthplace of a king who would change the whole world. 

   You don't have to be big or flashy to have an impact in God's economy.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for choosing a small insignificant place to play a pivotal role in the renewal of the world. Forgive me for thinking that my small life is unimportant to your kingdom. Encourage me with the story of Bethlehem. Bless the people who live there now with your peace, as it has experienced so much undeserved viloence recently. Continue to pour out your grace from that small place, and from all the small but faithful people who find their true identity in Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem. 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.

YOU WILL BE REWARDED

2 Chronicles 15:7 (GNT)
But you must be strong and not be discouraged. The work that you do will be rewarded.

Matthew 25:21 (TCEB)
The boss said, ‘Wow! Good job. That’s what I call devotion. I’m going to put you in charge of a lot more work. This is a win for me and a win for you. Let’s celebrate.’

THE ESSENCE
Your efforts rooted in faithfulness will pay off. 

DAILY FODDER
If our efforts rooted in faithfulness will eventually pay off, we don't sweat it if there is no immediate recognition. We can stick with it, confident that God rewards faithfulness. 

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for bringing me on as a junior partner in your transformation endeavor. I admit that I'm not worthy of the honor and I continually mess up. You must see something in me that no one else can see. Help me to trust your vision and to stay faithful to my calling. Even though no one seems to notice me now, I am confident that my close association with you will payoff big time at some point in the future. 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.