Got trouble?

Samuel: “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!” ~ 1 Samuel 7:12 (NLT)

We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The Lord helps us through the troubles we encounter.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for keeping me from utterly giving up on myself, for calling me to follow in faith where you have led the way, and for granting me the strength to answer your call. Thank you for the company of your people, my sisters and brothers in Christ. Bless us, as together we seek to do your will. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Wisdom

The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ~ Proverbs 2:6 (CEB)

But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. ~ James 1:5 (CEB)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God is eager to share his wisdom with all who will receive it.

PRAYER

Thank you, Generous God, for offering to share wisdom with us. I confess that I too often live as though I'm already the wisest person alive and that I don't need your input. Of course, I'd never say that aloud but that is how I act. Please continue squeezing your wisdom into my life whenever you see that I'm ready to receive it. And might those opportunities increase exponentially. My goal is to get to the point where your knowledge and understanding of things defines my life 24/7. Amen.

The poor

The 8th Sunday after Pentecost

Those who exploit the powerless anger their maker,
while those who are kind to the poor honor God. ~ Proverbs 14:31 (CEB)

Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ ~ Matthew 25:40 (MSG)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

One of the most important ways that we worship/honor God is by showing extreme kindness to those living on the margins.

PRAYER

Master, Jesus, thank you for coming to address our poverty through the incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection. I confess that I've been inclined to see your actions as merely having spiritual implications. That's wrong. Give me a passion for the whole gospel -- a gospel which deals with our spiritual, physical, and emotional poverty. I'm going to get my head out of the clouds and live as your agent of reconcilation -- partnering with you as you address the needs of all creation. Amen.

Do right

Always do the right thing,
     and you will live;
     keep on doing wrong,
     and you will die.
~ Proverbs 11:19 (CEV)

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
     for they will be satisfied. ~ Matthew 5:6 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Do right and experience God's favor.

PRAYER

God, I know that my relationship with you is totally dependent on your grace. But I also know that some of the things I think and do seem to disrupt that experience. I want my life to be all -- 100% -- about hungering and thirsting for your ways. I can't make that happen on my own, so I throw myself on your mercy. And I ask that you would continue to shape my life so that I am longing for the things which you desire. May your justice and righteousness flow freely through me so that I'm not only blessed, but so that I am also a blessing to those around me. Amen.