FORGIVE

Transfiguration Sunday

GENESIS 50:17 (ABP)
So Joseph's brothers sent him a message after their father died. “Before his death, our father commanded us to tell you, ‘You must forgive your brothers’ sins—all of them. For they treated you with inexcusable contempt when they sold you into slavery.’ Will you honor the dying wish of your father and forgive the sins of these servants of your father’s God?”

EPHESIANS 4:32 (MSG)
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

THE ESSENCE
Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

DAILY FODDER
Someone who has been deeply hurt needs to hear this word from God. Forgive the person who has wronged you. You don't need to embrace them as your best buddy but you need to let go of the crippling animosity that is building up. You can do this by focusing on how God has outrageously forgiven you through the actions of Christ Jesus. The power of forgiveness will begin to grow in you as you own the mercy that has been extended to you.

PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you for forgiving me. I admit, though, that I don't freely forgive those who have done me wrong. Help be to grow in awareness of the enormity of the forgiveness that comes our way through the sacrifice and victory of our Savior Jesus. I'm going to start forgiving the people who haven't treated me right. And I'm going to stick with the process of forgiveness, even if it takes me the rest of 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.

THE GIFT OF PEACE

PSALM 97:10 (CEB)
Those of you who love the LORD, hate evil!
God guards the lives of his faithful ones,
delivering them from the power of the wicked.

ACTS 9:31 (GNT)
And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.

THE ESSENCE
We should see any peace we have as a gift from God. 

DAILY FODDER
God's way of doing things tends to disrupt societies, often causing turmoil. But he intervenes and we should acknowledge that any peace experienced by faithful followers of Jesus is a gift from God. 

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making me yours. You guard me. May I bring your comfort and peace to all who need your protection. Today, use my hands as a sign of peace, a welcome embrace, so others may experience your faithfulness. Let my heart become a valentine for all you give me in your name. 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.

LIVING AS TAUGHT

1 SAMUEL 12:15 (MSG)
But if you don’t obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.

COLOSSIANS 2:6-7 (MSG)
My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

THE ESSENCE
Do what you’ve been taught.

DAILY FODDER
The ancient Hebrews described in 1 Samuel, had convinced themselves that if they had a king, like all their neighbors, that they'd become an unstoppable force. God didn't want them to function according to coventional wisdom but he eventually gave them what they wanted. And, of course, that didn't work out for their best. The point is that if we trust him and act according to his instructions, in the longrun things will work out in a way that generates thanksgiving rather than anxiety. 

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for your instructions. Forgive us for pushing to be able to do things our way. Help me to start living according to all that I’ve  been taught. I'm looking forward to seeing what YOU'LL do. I'll break out in thanksgiving. 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.

THE CHALLENGE OF SIN

ISAIAH 44:22 (MSG)
I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings.
There’s nothing left of your sins.
Come back to me, come back.
I’ve redeemed you.

1 JOHN 3:5-6 (MSG)
Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin.

THE ESSENCE
Sinless Christ invites us to join him.

DAILY FODDER
While we don't wallow in our sinfulness, we are matter-of-fact about it. Such straightforwardness allows us to entrust it all to Christ, our redeemer.

PRAYER
Gracious Redeemer, you have removed the fog of my sinful ways. Forgive me when I turn back to that fog because it's familiar. Stop me from thinking that I just need better fog lights when I really need a whole new lighting system. Create in me a clean heart, O God, that makes your grace my light. 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.

TOUGH LOVE

JEREMIAH 31:20 (CEB)
Isn’t Ephraim my much-loved child?
   Don’t I utterly adore him?
Even when I scold him,
   I still hold him dear.
I yearn for him and love him deeply,
   declares the LORD.

ROMANS 11:2 (GNT)
God has not rejected his people, whom he chose from the beginning.

THE ESSENCE
God's unwavering love for the Jewish people demonstrates his tenacity.

DAILY FODDER
Even when God is ignored or rejected by his own people, his love remains constant. Sometimes God has to discipline those he loves. But this doesn't mean he loves them less than before.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your willingness to discipline those you love. Forgive me for interpreting hard times as your rejection. Help me to see beyond my noise and to notice how your love is expressed. I celebrate your tenacity, even when it shows up in tough love. You really do love us. 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.

UNWORTHY

GENESIS 32:10 (NLT)
Jacob: I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant.

1 TIMOTHY 1:16 (NLT)
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

THE ESSENCE
Our relationship with God is predicated on our willingness to recognize that we are unworthy of that relaionship. Yet, God pursues it anyway.

DAILY FODDER
Mercy, by definition, is undeserved. No one is worthy of it. This continually points to the fact that God gives himself to undeserving people. 

PRAYER
Lord, I'm grateful that your love is so vast and excessivly merciful. Obviously, I benefit from that mercy, even if I act like I’m entitled to attention. Help me to thoroughly absorb your mercy. I want to be so aware of it that your mercy saturates my soul, and drives me to care for unworthy people — including myself.  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’S FRIENDS BEFRIEND FOREIGNERS

LEVITICUS 19:33 (GNT)
Do not mistreat foreigners who are living in your land.

JOHN 15:14 (GNT)
Jesus: And you are my friends if you do what I command you.

THE ESSENCE
God's friends befriend foreigners.  

DAILY FODDER
The command of Leviticus 19:33 is repeated numerous times in the Bible. It's almost as though the treatment of foreigners is one of the health indicators for Israel. Why is treating foreigners well such an important part of God's agenda for his people? (That doesn't seem to advance the significance of his chosen people, Israel.) How are foreigners treated in your country? How many foreign friends do you have?

PRAYER
Thank you, my welcoming Savior. Forgive me for hand-picking my friends and purging those I don't like. Help me to share your way of welcoming the stranger. You create this calling for all people. Show me how I can do this in my community. Lead me to join others in building a world of friendship.  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.

JOYFULNESS

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 126:3 (CEB)
Yes, the Lord has done great things for us,
and we are overjoyed.

ACTS 2:46-47 (MSG)
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw.

THE ESSENCE
Joyfulness flows from sharing in God's goodness. 

DAILY FODDER
Can this kind of joy be sustained when people turn against you and you're struggling to see what God is doing in a toxic situation? Why or why not? 

PRAYER
Thank you my great and always giving God. Forgive my hissing about what is missing. Fix my focus on you and all that is generous and good. Open my eyes to recognize your goodness. Make me glow with grace. Free me from my sadness by inviting me to sing with your choir of gladness. 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.

UNENDING PEACE

ISAIAH 9:7 (NLT)
His government and its peace
will never end.

EPHESIANS 2:14 (CEB)
Christ is our peace.

THE ESSENCE
Christ is our unending peace.

DAILY FODDER
If we dig deeper into the prophecy of Isaiah 9:7, we see that the anticipated king would bring both peace and justice. If Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy, why is there so much injustice and lack of peace in the world? 

   Three possibilities:

1. The prophecy was talking about someone other than Jesus.
2. Jesus was only interested in providing people with inner peace—a spiritualized redefinition of peace.
3. Christ Jesus came to inagurate a kingdom of peace and justice, but that kingdom hasn't arrived in its fullness, yet.

For a number of reasons I go with #3. Jesus brings real peace to all who accept it now. But there is more coming when he returns to govern the world. In the in-between time, we represent his coming government and in partnership with him model its values—including a passion for peace and justice.

PRAYER
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
   where there is hatred, let me sow love;
   where there is injury, pardon;
   where there is doubt, faith;
   where there is despair, hope;
   where there is darkness, light;
   where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
   to be consoled as to console,
   to be understood as to understand,
   to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
   it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
   and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen. 

(Prayer commonly attributed to St Francis of Assisi)

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.

SHAMEFUL

DANIEL 9:7 (GNT)
You, Lord, always do what is right, but we have always brought disgrace on ourselves.

MATTHEW 25:45 (ABP)
Then King Jesus will reply, "This is the gospel truth, whenever you neglected even one of the needy but insignificant people, you were neglecting me."

THE ESSENCE
We bring shame on ourselves when we neglect the needy. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is it, in Jesus' mind, that neglecting the needy is the same as neglecting him? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm  grateful that you are truly righteous. I admit that I fail to live up to your righteous standards, even in something so basic as caring for the needy. Help me to lean on the perfect righteousness of Jesus to save me from the shame of it all. I'm going to trust that in the process of being made new you will give me the ability to look beyond myself and toward the needs of others. This is how I will honor you. 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 ON GUARD

PSALM 16:1 (MSG)
Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 (CEB)
The Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one.

THE ESSENCE
Because God is faithful, he remains on duty protecting us from the evil one. 

DAILY FODDER
Who is "the evil one" mentioned in Thessalonians 3? Who else might be qualified to protect us from him?

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for being on watch, caring for me 24/7. I confess that I'm often my own worse enemy. The attacks of the evil one rarely come from the outside but somehow surface as arrogance and self-reliance from within. Help me to give the devil a run for his money. I need to stay close to you, my guard, so that when these things start to swell up from within we can deal with them before they get toxic. Lord Jesus, you are truly qualified to deal with the crap that I generate. 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.

REMAIN CONNECTED

JEREMIAH 17:7-8 (MSG)
But blessed is the man who trusts me, GOD,
the woman who sticks with GOD.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.

JOHN 15:5 (CEB)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything.

THE ESSENCE
Stay rooted in Christ Jesus, and you'll thrive and bear fruit—even through the droughts of life.

DAILY FODDER
Simply put, your purpose in life is to be fruitful in the things of God. The only way to do this is through intimate obedience.

PRAYER
Loving Creator, thank you for sending life and love to me and through me. I know, Lord, that no matter what happens, you keep me by your side, abiding with me. Correct my worry. Change it to wonder. Let me bear the fruit you create. Use me to transform anyone's despair into trusting in your 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.

CARING FOR THE POOR

PROVERBS 17:5 (MSG)
Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator;
gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

JAMES 2:5 (CEB)
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

THE ESSENCE
Go out of your way to treat the poor well because they have special standing with God. 

DAILY FODDER
What does it say about you if you don't have any poor people around you? How do you give them extra consideration if they are invisible to you or so far from your daily routine that you never encounter them? How do you remedy that situation?

PRAYER
We're grateful, Lord, that you have a special place in your world for those who are poor in ours. Forgive us for our direct and indirect involvement in the marginalization of the poor. Give us eyes to see them and hearts ready to respond to their needs. I want to join you in your embrace of those who are in need. 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.

CONFIDENT TRUST

JUDGES 3:9 (NLT)
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them.

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

THE ESSENCE
It pays to stick with the Lord, even during tough times. 

DAILY FODDER
When you take a hard hit it will either knock the faith out of you or strengthen it. What makes the difference? How much is it possible to prepare ahead of time for those moments? How so?

PRAYER
God, you have been our Savior throughput the ages. Thank you for that. Forgive us for losing track of this history when tough times hit. Toughen up my faith now so that I bounce with confidence when I run into a problem. I'm going to allow you to sustain me without interuption. 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.

ABIDING LOVE

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

HOSEA 6:4 (CEV)
Your love for me disappears
more quickly than mist
or dew at sunrise.

JOHN 15:9 (NRSVUE)
Jesus: "Abide in my love."

THE ESSENCE
The kind of love that gets Jesus' attention is lasting love, because it is rooted in his love.

DAILY FODDER
So much of what we think of as "love" is closely akin to adolescent infatuation — affection felt strongly but briefly — until someone else grabs our attention. In contrast, Jesus is nurturing abiding love in his people. That is, the strength of it emerges over time. It is day after day after day of seeking to do his will, even on the days when we don't feel it as strongly. Indeed, it is making yourself at home in it. Perhaps we might use the metaphor of marriage (Jesus does!). Love is a healthy longterm relationship that only starts to really glow with time. The reason this works is that even when we're flaky, Jesus' love remains steady or abiding.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your abiding love. My affections toggle between hot and cold, but your love remains steady. Help me to lean into your unwavering affection and care, so that I grow in consistency. I'm wanting to develop love that has more to it than morning dew, the kind of love that would go to the cross. 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.

LEAPING FOR JOY

PSALM 92:4 (GNT)
Your mighty deeds, O LORD, make me glad;
because of what you have done, I sing for joy.

ACTS 3:8 (CEB)
Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.

THE ESSENCE
The incredible things God does release joy.

DAILY FODDER
Put yourself in the shoes of the crippled man God healed through Peter and John in Acts 3. Imagine the wave of emotion rolling over you as you realize that your legs have been restored. What will you do? How quickly will you be on your feet dancing? 

PRAYER
Loving Lord, my heart leaps for joy. You bless me in so many ways. You are always with me and for me. Your Spirit helps me grow in strength, grace, truth, and love. I see the works of your hands everywhere in the wonders of creation. May my joy lead to actions that bring praise and glory to 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.

LIVE GENEROUSLY

JOEL 2:19 (CEB)
The LORD responded to the people:
See, I am sending you
the corn, new wine, and fresh oil,
and you will be fully satisfied by it...

MARK 6:41-42 (CEB)
He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate until they were full.

THE ESSENCE
God's responses to the needs of his people are more than adequate, reflecting his abundant generosity.

DAILY FODDER
When we're in the midst of a problem, it's not only difficult to see how God will respond to our needs but just how generous his responses actually are. Think of all those hungry people whom Jesus overfed with five loaves and two fish. How many of them were expecting that?

PRAYER
God, you are responsive and incredibly generous. Forgive us for maintaining miserly mindsets, hoarding limited resources. Fill us with divine expectation and generosity so that we can participate in the extravagant feeding of other hungry people. I want to live generously, like Jesus. 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.

STAND IN AWE

PSALM 40:5 (MSG)
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
compares to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.

MARK 2:0-12 (MSG)
Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, stunned—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

THE ESSENCE
Some of what God does is so awesome that it is beyond words.

DAILY FODDER
What is the most awe-inspiring thing you've seen God do? Is it a miracle, something under a microscope, a mountain landscape?

PRAYER
My Lord, you have done and continue to do so many wonderful things. Your love has no limit. Your power is beyond imagination. Empower me to stand firm in my faith. Inspire me to get up from my mat and share the good news. I want everyone to be amazed and glorify your name. 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.

IN OUR DESPERATION

PSALM 38:21 (ABP)
Don’t leave me stranded, GOD! I need you right here with me.

MARK 5:23 (NTFE)
“My daughter’s going to die! My daughter’s going to die!” he pleaded. “Please come—lay your hands on her—rescue her and let her live!”

THE ESSENCE
We call on God when we're desperate. 

DAILY FODDER
Is "fox hole faith" a legitimate expression of faith? Does God think less of us if we only turn to him in times of desperation? How much of the Bible, our guide for genuine faith, was written by or about desperate people?

PRAYER
Merciful and faithful God, thank you for being available to us even in our most desperate moments. Forgive us for waiting until such times to turn to you. Reassure us, though, that no matter what, we can look to you for help. I'm glad that even if my faith is imperfect, you're there for me without prejuidice. 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.

PLANNING

ISAIAH 55:8 (MSG)
“I don’t think the way you think.
The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

JAMES 4:13, 15 (GNT)
Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” ...What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

THE ESSENCE
We need to approach the planning process with a large measure of humility—recognizing that everything really hinges on what the Lord has in mind.

DAILY FODDER
Does this mean that we should avoid definitive planning? Why or why not?? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the time you've given to me and the brain to organize it. Forgive me for assuming that I have ultimate control of my circumstances and life. Grant me, please, the wisdom needed to responsibly, but loosely, plan. I'm going to walk humbly with you and trust you to guide not only my life but all of history. Only you are capable of doing that well. 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.