TROUBLES

PSALM 25:17 (CEB)
My heart’s troubles keep getting bigger—
set me free from my distress!

JOHN 16:33 (NIV)
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is concerned about eveything that troubles you.

DAILY FODDER
In my personal prayer pattern Wednesdays are my worry days ("Worry Wednesday"). I take all the things which trouble me (the illnesses, climate, poverty, injustices, wars, and ongoing crises) out of the mental box where I store them. I spread them out for examination and I tell God about my concern over each item as I ask him if there is something new that he'd like me to do about them. I spend time listening. Then, at the end I put them all back into the box, close the lid, and return them to the shelf until next Wednesday — or until I'm prompted to action otherwise. How do you process the troubles in your life?

PRAYER
God, it seems like there is no end to the problems in my life. I'm grateful that I don't have to process them on my own. Having said that, I inexplicable still try to do just that. I hold on to the worries and fears. Help me to completely release them to you. I'm not going to worry over the big or the small problems. Amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
We hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening there.

Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

PRAYING

PSALM 102:17 (ABP)
When God responds to the prayers of the destitute he does so wholeheartedly.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is eager to respond to our prayers.

DAILY FODDER
What are some of the alternatives to prayer? How fruitful are these alternatives?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you never seem to grow tired of listening to us — even when our prayers are poorly thought out and shaped by our agendas rather than yours. Yet, in spite of your relaxed posture, we've turned prayer into an obligation and ordeal. Help me to worry less about the forms my prayers take and my prayer track-record. I'm simply going to focus on staying in touch. Amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
We hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening there.

Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

LIVING WATER

JEREMIAH 17:13 (MSG)
All who leave you end up as fools,
Deserters with nothing to show for their lives,
who walk off from GOD; fountain of living waters—
and wind up dead!

REVELATION 21:6 (NLT)
God said, "To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Drink the spirit-refreshing water God provides and live.

DAILY FODDER
Physically dehydrated people are often unaware of their condition. Might that also be the case for spiritually dehydrated people? How does someone know if they are spiritually dehydrated? How do we prevent dehydration?

PRAYER
Jesus, you have invited all who are thirsty to drink the living water you provide. I confess that I don't always recognize how parched I've become. I'm so busy and distracted that I don't notice the warning signs. Keep me alert to the signs of spiritual dehydration and aware of my ongoing need to drink your living water -- the water that flows by staying close to you. I'm going to keep on chugging your water to stay healthy. Amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
We hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening there.

Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

CREATOR

The Third Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 89:11-12 (CEV)
   The heavens and the earth
belong to you.
   And so does the world
with all its people
because you created them
and everything else.

COLOSSIANS 1:16-17 (CEV)

   All things were created by God's Son,
and everything was made for him.
   God's Son was before all else,
and by him everything
is held together.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Since God created everything through his Son, he has authority over everything.

DAILY FODDER
In your mind how do you see Jesus' status as creator affecting your life? The world around you? Implications of his status?

PRAYER
Son of God, you made it all -- the oceans and the mountains -- the cats and the dogs -- even the unseen organisms. You have a purpose and a design. I confess that I treat the world as though it exists to serve my personal purposes -- and that's not such a bad thing -- except when my goals are small-minded and contrary to your will. I need your help realigning my life with your bigger plan and your authority. I want to be a witness to you and the renewal of your creation. It's all for your honor, amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
We hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening there.

Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!