WHEN YOU MEET...

PSALM 35:18 (CEV)
And when your people meet,
I will praise you
and thank you, Lord,
in front of them all.

EPHESIANS 5:19 (CEV)
When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The biblical assumption is that God's people will meet together to honor him. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is it important to God that there is a collective dimension to our relationship? Why is it important for you as an individual believer to participate in such a gathering? But what if you don't Iike the way that others worship — that it fails to move you spiritually?

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for calling us together to worship. I confess that I sometimes have a bad attitude about worship service. I find so many things to dislike about the way others do music, preach, or lead prayers. Help me to shift gears so that it isn't so much about me and my preferences. Help me to keep the focus on you and what you are doing in my life and the lives of others. When we meet I'm going to bring my worship and gratitude rather than my critical attitude. 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!

GOOD SHEPHERD

PSALM 23:3 (CEV)
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.

JOHN 10:14 (CEV)
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Like a master shepherd, Jesus lovingly leads us to where we need to be.

DAILY FODDER
What is it that you find to be so difficult about following?

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, thank you for leading. You know everything about me and everything about what lies ahead -- and you set a path. I confess that I have a bit of a sheep brain and I'm easily distracted by the things happening along the pathway. Give me the ability to focus and tune into your voice so I can stay on the path. I'm going to trust you to lead me to green pastures. 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!

YOUR SHIELD

The 8th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 5:12 (CEV)
Our Lord, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.

1 JOHN 5:18 (MSG)
We know that none of the God-born makes a practice of sin—fatal sin. The God-born are also the God-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We live behind God's protective shield. 

DAILY FODDER
If God protects us so well why does the devil even bother with his assaults? Why do you worry so much about the evil in the world?

PRAYER
Protector God, as I look back on my life I'm even more certain that you have been shielding me. Thank you! Forgive me for worrying over what might happen, completely ignoring your protective track record. Help me to live boldly for you. I'm certain of your care so I'm going to make choices consistent with Jesus' kingdom. 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!

WAITING AND HOPING

ISAIAH 25:9 (CEV)
“The Lord has saved us!
Let's celebrate.
We waited and hoped—
now our God is here.”

HEBREWS 11:1 (CEB)
Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Faith is a matter of confidently waiting for something we hope will happen.

DAILY FODDER
Why doesn't God make the things for which we're trusting him instantly happen? It seems like there would be a lot less pain. Are there any benefits to having to wait?

PRAYER
God for whom we wait and watch, thank you for coming to us daily in the gifts of love, life, forgiveness, and grace. Forgive our fears and doubts. Help set our hope on the promise that you come and dwell among us, that you are our god and we are your people. Jesus, you are with us. 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!