COMPASSION AND MERCY

The 10th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 22:4 (CEV)
Our ancestors trusted you,
and you rescued them.

JAMES 5:11 (CEB)
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is full of compassion and mercy.

DAILY FODDER
Yesterday we noted that God pays attention to us. Today we see why. He is full of compassion and mercy.

PRAYER
God, you're worthy of our trust because you are full of compassion and mercy. You come to our rescue, even when we're unaware of what you're doing. I'd like to be more aware so I am asking you to cultivate that awareness in me. I want to better celebrate what you're doing in my life and around the world as you pour out you compassion and mercy. Perhaps some of it will even rub off on me and I'll be filled with copassion and mercy, too. 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 in heaven.

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!

ATTENTION

PSALM 5:1-2 (CEB)
Hear my words, LORD!
Consider my groans!
Pay attention to the sound of my cries, my king and my God,
     because I am praying to you!

MARK 11:24 (CEB)
Therefore I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you will receive it, and it will be so for you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God pays attention!

DAILY FODDER
The psalmist is begging God to pay attention to him. Jesus is begging people to turn to him. Both assume that God pays attention. What's the role of faith in tapping into God's attention?

PRAYER
Loving God, you're attentive in a way we can only begin to fathom. Yet you're  not necessarily the first person I cry out to. Develop my faith so that I am constantly tapping into your attention for both the tiny and the huge matters in my life. I'm needy and that's okay because your attention is unlimited. 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 in heaven.

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!

WORDS

ECCLESIASTES 5:2 (MSG)
Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.

MATTHEW 7:1 (MSG)
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When it comes to relating to others, whether divine or human, there is value in keeping your mouth shut.

DAILY FODDER
Why do we end up putting our feet into our mouths so often? How are you training yourself to say less?

PRAYER
Great God, it's clear that you will have the final word. But that doesn't stop me from shooting my mouth off and saying things which don't really add value to those around me. It's an ego thing. So, I would ask that you'd give me wisdom to speak up at the right times but only at those times. And train me in how to manage my words. I'm going to develop Spirit-charged speaking habits which reflect the love of 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 in heaven.

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!

LOVE

HOSEA 6:4 (ABP)

Your "love" is as short-lived as morning dew.  

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 (ABP)

If I could wax eloquent in all languages — including Angelese, 

     but lacked love,

I'd be nothing more than an annoying thumping bass 

     or fingernails scrapping across a chalkboard.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God-like love is the essential ingredient of all healthy relationships.

DAILY FODDER
Why is love such a hard thing?

PRAYER
Loving Lord, your love is never withheld or diluted by circumstances. You even loved us so much that you sent your one and only Son into the world to sacrifice his life as he took on the forces of non-love. How is it then that I, your disciple by confession, with all the best intentions, fall so short in the love department? I certainly don't love my neighbor with the same energy that I put into loving myself. Redevelop my life so that your love freely flows through all my thoughts, words, and actions. I'm want to become consistent in my love, for the sake of Christ Jesus. 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 in heaven.

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!