ABIDING

JEREMIAH 18:14-15 (MSG)
Do alpine streams run dry?
But my people have left me
to worship the Big Lie.

JOHN 15:9 (ABP)
Make yourself at home in Jesus' love.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can choose to live in God's love house or the big house constructed with lies.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for inviting us to live with you. I confess, though, that my eyes wander toward the big flimsy house down the street that has all the glitter and flashy lights. Save me from my shallowness and set me up to live in your well-constructed love house. I'm going to abide with you. Amen.

BROKEN

PSALM 51:17 (NLT)
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

LUKE 15:21 (CEV)
The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God forgives us when we come to him with remorse.

PRAYER

Healer God, thank you for receiving broken people into your presence. I confess that I'm broken -- but I'm reluctant to acknowledge the extent of my brokenness. Help me move toward you with complete honesty, remorse, and humility. I'm going to take advantage of your freely-given forgiveness. Amen.

GROKING GOD

PSALM 63:1, 6 (MSG)
God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you!
If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 (ABP)
All that we can see of God now is a hazy blurred image. But the time is coming when we'll see him face to face and grok* him in the way that he groks us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can look forward to knowing God on a deep level.

PRAYER
God of infinite majesty, how high and exalted above our powers of understanding you must be! And yet I find myself ready to fight with others in defense of my ideas about you. Forgive me, dear Lord. Lead me to the truth that is higher than my meager understanding. Lead me to love, as you love. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

*To grok is to understand and know someone on such a deep level that it bubbles up in total enjoyment. The word was created by Robert A. Heinlein for his 1961 science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land.

LISTEN

The 24th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 59:21 (CEV)
The LORD says: “My people,
I promise to give you my Spirit
and my message.
These will be my gifts to you
and your families forever.
I, the LORD, have spoken.”

ROMANS 15:4 (MSG)
Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Listen up now for what God said through the scriptures long ago.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to us. You've been providing direction for centuries. I admit that I sometimes push back against instructions from anyone -- even you. Keep working with me to shape me through your living Word. I want your agenda to characterize my life. Amen.