SELECTIVE LISTENING

HOSEA 8:12 (MSG)
I write out my revelation for them in detail
and they pretend they can’t read it.

MATTHEW 7:24 (CEB)
Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When it comes to God stuff what matters is that we listen and act accordingly.

DAILY FODDER
When I was a child my mother chided me by saying, "You only hear what you want to hear." Selective listening can be a sign of immaturity or a matter of survival in a world with a cacophony of input. To whom are you as an adult selectively listening?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the gift of instruction. I confess that I don't consistently pay attention, though, because your words always require changing something. Give me ears to hear and energy to act accordingly. I'm not going to tune you out or be afraid of change. 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!

TRANSFORMING SADNESS

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 25:8 (MSG)
GOD will wipe the tears from every face.

JOHN 16:20 (MSG)
...your sadness will develop into gladness.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you stick with him long enough, you realize God is in the business of transforming our frustration and grief into gladness.

DAILY FODDER
It's really difficult to receive the promise of transformation when we're surrounded by a dark cloud of sadness. This is why we begin the process of absorbing this information prior to the arrival of tough times. Of course, we can't really grok what it all means until the cloud sets in. 

PRAYER
Compassionate Comforter, you know my anguish and take the burden of my pain as your own. Thank you for the great exchange of my grief for your grace, my sadness for your joy. Help me to let go of guilt and shame and live as a beloved child of God so I may share your joy with others. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

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!

NOTHING WASTED

GENESIS 31:42 (MSG)
God saw the fix I was in and how hard I had worked...

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 (ABP)
You realize that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever a waste of time and energy.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Nothing we do in the Lord's service is wasted.

DAILY FODDER
Are you feeling frustrated because nothing you intentionally do for the Lord's cause ever goes the way you'd like? How do you deal with that frustration?

PRAYER
God, I'm honored that you have invited me to partner with you in your work of restoring the world. But sometimes I feel frustrated and useless. Please allow me at least a glimpse of how you are using me. I am encouraged at the realization that your kingdom is unfolding beyond my limited awareness and that nothing gets wasted in your kingdom economy. 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!

OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

DEUTERONOMY 14:2 (CEV)
Out of all the nations on this earth, the Lord your God chose you to be his own. You belong to the Lord, so don't behave like those who worship other gods.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:5 (CEV)
You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God establishes his people with a unique identity and way of life.

DAILY FODDER
What stands in the way keeping you from living into who God called you to be? Are you certain that your response to the question goes to the core of the problem? 

PRAYER
Jesus, you are the light of the world and you've called us to be your children of light. I confess that due to my carelessness and selfishness I dabble in darkness. During the moments when the dark fog encroaches remind me of my Christian identity and crank up the light that marks me as yours. I'm going to live in the light 24/7. 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!