YOUR PLACE AT THE TABLE

ISAIAH 65:1 (NLT)
The Lord says,
"I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me."

MATTHEW 19:30 (ABP)
Many of the most prominent people will end up with no status or influence. However, those currently lacking influence will become the most important.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When the Lord's upside–down kingdom comes in its fulness, a lot of the big shots, those who have neglected looking to God, will find themselves at the back off the line.

DAILY FODDER
How prominent do you think you'll be in God's kingdom? Why do you think that?

PRAYER
God, I'm looking forward to living in your coming kingdom — your new creation. I am especially enthralled with the prediction that humility be valued more than power. I confess that I've spent way too much energy trying to advance in the world's pecking order. Show me how to change the way I operate now so that I'm prepared to participate in what's to come. It's not too late. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

PEACE FIRST

1 SAMUEL 17:47 (NLT)
And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear.

LUKE 10:5 (CEB)
Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God prefers to lead with peace.

DAILY FODDER
If God prefers to accomplish his mission through peaceful means, why are there so many violent stories in the Bible?

PRAYER
You, great and mighty God, are a God of peace. However, I confess that even though I say I'm following you, I haven't totally embraced this point. I lack patience to work things out peacefully. Fill me with your grace and mercy so that I can lead with humility rather than force. I want your best for all people — even those who do me wrong. Amen.  

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

STEP OUT OF THE WAY AND LET GOD...

Ascension Day

PROVERBS 19:21 (ABP)
We keep coming up with ideas and plans on how to improve things but in the end, it's God's agenda that prevails.

ACTS 1:6-8 (CEV)
While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?”

Jesus said to them, “You don't need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't get worked up over how things are unfolding because God will be the one taking care of it all. 

DAILY FODDER
If you were to tell God to fix something immediately, what would that be? How do you think he'd respond? Why?

PRAYER
Sovereign God, your plans and purposes stand firm forever. You know how I dislike it when plans do not work out as I had hoped. Yet, amid setbacks you open doors to wonderful opportunities for me. I trust you to fulfill your purposes for me. Make me a powerful witness of your goodness and your eternal kingdom. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

PUNISHMENT?

PSALM 6:1 (CEV)
Don't punish me, LORD,
or even correct me
when you are angry!

1 THESSALONIANS 5:9-10 (MSG)
God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God isn't interested in punishing people and giving them what they deserve. To the contrary!

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think that God is busy looking for ways to punish people?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you treat us way better than we deserve. Yet, I still harbor some childhood thoughts about you being on the prowl looking for bad things in my life to punish me. Free me from this nonsense and show me how to allow you to intervene in my life where there is badness dragging me down. I'm going to trust that Jesus is my Savior and that he is about restoring life in me. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.