GOD'S KINDNESS

The 25th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 58:1 (MSG)
Shout! A full-throated shout!
Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what’s wrong with their lives...

GALATIANS 4:9 (CEV)
But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. How can you turn back and become the slaves of those weak and pitiful powers?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In light of the great way that God is treating you, how can you turn away from him?

PRAYER
God, when I think about it, I realize that you have treated me well. The problem is that I don't think about it. I get caught up in the stuff life throws at me and I lose perspective. Please keep me focused so that I remember you and follow you, in the way of Christ Jesus. I'm going to turn away from all but you. Amen.

MYSTERY

ISAIAH 45:15 (CEV)
People of Israel,
your God is a mystery,
though he alone can save.

EPHESIANS 3:20-21 (CEV)
I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is doing way more than we can imagine.

PRAYER
Glorious God, the world is such a chaotic place. You are the only explanation as to why things continue to hold together as well as they do. Forgive me for giving in to despair when a lot of bad things happen. I need a faith booster. I'm going to trust that you are at work behind the scenes. Amen.

HUMILITY

ISAIAH 2:12 (CEV)
The LORD All-Powerful
has chosen a day
when those who are proud
and conceited
will be put down.

1 PETER 5:5 (ABP)
Everyone should wear an attitude of humility -- the kind of humility that lacks all pretense in the way that you relate to one another. Remember, God takes down the proud but lifts up the humble.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God takes down the proud but lifts up the humble; so live accordingly.

PRAYER
Lord God, you showed us what humility looks like when you sent Jesus to live among us. I aspire to humility but I'm a bit blind to my own arrogance. Forgive me for acting as though I'm the most important person around. It comes out in my words, my glares, and my choice of associates. Fill me with the spirit of Christ so that all the conceit is nudged out. I know that this is a big order but I also know that you are the LORD All-Powerful. Amen.

NON-CONFORMISTS

GENESIS 3:6 (CEV)
The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit.

ROMANS 12:2 (CEB)
Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't give in to the so-called wisdom that defines the world's way of doing things.

PRAYER
How I love to exalt over my adversaries, Lord. How I delight in the thought of their shame and defeat by my hand. Forgive me, God, Help me learn true wisdom, revealed in Jesus' love and grace. Let his way of wisdom and power become mine, for the sake of your glory, and for peace on earth. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)