GODLY LIVES

The 4th Sunday of Eastertide

ECCLESIASTES 7:29 (TCEB)
God made humans as simple creatures.
But we complicate our lives
By the schemes and plots we invent.

TITUS 2:11-12 (CEB)
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world.

THE ESSENCE
God's goal for us is simple — to live godly lives. 

DAILY FODDER
What exactly is godly living? How is it related to being sensible and ethical? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, today I'm grateful for your intervention. You called us to do one thing — to live sensible, ethical, and godly lives. But we continue to complicate matters as we plot and scheme to improve our positions in life. Help us to hold on to the life ring Christ Jesus tossed us. I know that as you draw me across the rough water closer to yourself I'll be able to safely live into your salvation. Once again, I see that it’s all about your 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.

GLOBAL GOOD NEWS

PSALM 76:8-9 (CEB)
The earth grew afraid and fell silent
   when God rose up to establish justice,
   when God rose up to save all of the earth’s poor.

MARK 13:10 (ABP)
Before these turmultuous times, the message of the kingdom will go public to the world beyond.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus' kingdom message transcends cultural, political, and geographical borders. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you fit into Jesus' mission to take his good news to the entire world? Is he calling you to go to some unfamiliar people?  

PRAYER
Praise be to you, God of the whole world. Forgive us for our tendency to focus on local products and people, sending the message that they are the only things that really count. Help me to embrace your global heart and mission. I want to be a part of what you're doing out there. 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.

SOLID FARMING PRACTICES

JEREMIAH 4:3 (NLT)
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts!
Do not waste your good seed among thorns.

LUKE 9:62 (GNT)
Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.”

THE ESSENCE
There is a lot to learn about fruitful living in God's kingdom from solid farming practices. 

DAILY FODDER
How do we prepare ourselves (softening the soil and removing the thorns) from our hearts to be receptive of God's seed? How do we plow straight? Practically speaking, what does all that look like?

PRAYER
Alpha and Omega, you know when and where to plant. Your kingdom is forever moving forward in time. This fulfills the prophecy that all things will be made new. Forgive me for holding onto the past and fearing the future. Make me fit to be one of your workers and to bring forth your kingdom. 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.

IDENTITY

PSALM 115:15-16 (MSG)
May you be blessed by GOD,
by GOD, who made heaven and earth.
The heaven of heavens is for GOD,
but he put us in charge of the earth.

EPHESIANS 3:14-15 (ABP)
All that I’m enduring moves me to my knees before the father. He's the source of every family, clan, and ethnicity in heaven and earth.

THE ESSENCE
Most of us look to our family or nation to define identity, but even more fundamental to who we are is the God who created and called us. 

DAILY FODDER
When you think of yourself as a person, what is the most important thing that shapes your identity? What is the key to owning your identity as a member of God's family?

PRAYER
Creator God, we acknowledge you as the source of who we are. Forgive us for allowing lesser things — even godless things — to shape our identity. Guide us toward recognition of the identity we have in Christ Jesus, who is Lord over all heaven and earth. I'm going to allow my relationship to you to function as my primary identity. 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.