GOD'S UNCHANGING MERCIFUL STREAK

MALACHI 3:6 (ABP)
I am GOD, and I don't change.

LUKE 1:50 (ABP)
God is merciful to all who recognize and honor him, as he has been throughout the generations.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can count on God's mercy because he doesn't change.

DAILY FODDER
Do you ever question God's mercy? Why or why not?

PRAYER
God, the world around us is constantly changing — the political landscape, relationships, the economy, the culture... We're constantly bombarded with change — lots and lots of it. Yet, you and your definitive mercy remain constant. And I'm certainly counting on your mercy because I mess up so much as I juggle all the change. I'm going to continue to trust you and your unchanging mercy. 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!

TOGETHER

ISAIAH 26:3 (NLT)
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

2 CORINTHIANS 1:21 (CEV)
And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our bond in Christ holds us together, as we serve him together.

DAILY FODDER
If Christ holds us together to serve him, why is the church so divided and splintered? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for bringing us together in Christ to serve you. We confess that we don't make togetherness a priority. We easily buckle under pressure from our egos. Help me to set aside my ego so that I can participate in the perfect peace which has come and is coming through the Kingdom of God. I live to advance your peace. 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!

THANK GOD

PSALM 103:2 (NLT)
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 (NLT)
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Whatever the circumstance you're in, thank God for what he's doing for you.

DAILY FODDER
But what if you don't like the way God is working things out? Is it still honest to thank him for what he's doing? 

PRAYER
We praise you, Lord, for getting us to this point. I  confess that I neglect to acknowledge your activity, especially when I feel, overwhelmed by the situation. Crank up your grace so that I can put things in perspective and thank you. I know that this can happen because of my tight connection with Christ. 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!

GOD'S STANDARD IS EXTREME GRACE

The 5th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 119:64 (ABP)
GOD, the world is full of your unfaltering love!
School me in your standards.

MATTHEW 7:12 (CEB)
Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In a nutshell, God expects that we'll treat everyone in the same way we'd expect to be treated.

DAILY FODDER
Sometimes Matthew 7:12 is called "the golden rule." What makes it so valuable? What makes it so challenging to live by?

PRAYER
Jesus, we treated you worse than we're willing to own up to.  Yet, you treated us better than we deserve. Might your grace become a part of our DNA. I want to become like you, treating each individual and each group with extreme grace. 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!