GIFTS

JEREMIAH 31:14 (NLT)
"My people will feast on my good gifts.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"

1 PETER 4:10 (CEB)
And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is full of good gifts.

DAILY FODDER
How does your relationship with God change when it hinges on his generosity? 

PRAYER
Generous God, you're full of good gifts — gifts of life, daily food, homes, abilities and talents that allow us to serve you. Forgive me for failing to be satisfied — living as though I've been short-changed. "If only..." Help me to conciously embrace the gifts you've given to me. I'm going to use what I've been given to serve others in your name. 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!

JAIL TIME

GENESIS 39:20-21 (CEB)
While he was in jail, the Lord was with Joseph and remained loyal to him.

ACTS 16:25 (CEB)
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even jail time is redeemable in God's economy.

DAILY FODDER
Can you think of a bad situation from which God didn't immediately spare you but which turned out for the good?

PRAYER
Faithful God, you stick with us through all our troubles. Forgive me for displaying my frustration when you don't immediately rescue me from the difficult situations. Help me to trust you while I'm in "jail." I'm going to be encouraged knowing that you're in the process of turning the negatives of the situation into positives that draw people and honor to Christ. That's redemption. 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!

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!