Contentment

Job said, "I entered the world with nothing and that's how I'll depart it." ~ Job 1:21 (ABP)

After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NLT)

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Life is basic so be content with the basics.

PRAYER

God, you've given us incredible lives. Thank you. I confess that I'm still drawn toward the consumer mindset. No matter what I have I'm attracted to the idea of more or new or improved. I realized that those things aren't necessarily bad but to root my happiness in them undermines the contentment that is ours in Christ. Show me how to reverse the trend. Show me what I should be giving away today. I'm going to enjoy the basics. Amen.

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.