SOLIDARITY

PROVERBS 31:8-9 (MSG)
“Speak up for the people who have no voice,
for the rights of all the misfits.
Speak out for justice!
Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

HEBREWS 13:3 (MSG)
Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Solidarity with the misfits is an important part of God's agenda for his people.

DAILY FODDER
Why does God seem so partial to misfits? Who are the most oppressed misfits of today? What is a small thing you can do today to start standing in solidarity with them? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, you clearly care about the marginalized and have spent so much of history standing in solidarity with misfits. Forgive me for being so partial toward those with power — those who in some way or another bolster my comfort level. Free me to break loose from my obsession with power. Give me eyes to see those who are oppressed and energy to stand in solidarity with them. I'm going to count on you for wisdom to do that in the most fruitful way. 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! 

PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

The 11th Sunday after Pentecost

JOB 9:10 (CEV)
Of all the miracles God works,
we cannot understand a one.

EPHESIANS 1:3 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The gifts from God are too numerous to calculate and too deep to understand. Mystery.

DAILY FODDER
Why does God do things for us that we'll never be able to fully understand or appreciate? What does this suggest about how we pursue our relationship with him? 

PRAYER
Generous God, your activity is greater and deeper than what I realize. I admit that I try to appear to be a God-expert, pursuing and freely offering explainations. Sometimes I even convince myself that I know what you’re up to. But really, I'm pretty clueless. I do want to grow in appreciation so that I can better acknowledge your miracles, blessings, and generosity. Might such humble appreciation flow through my connection with 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! 

REJOICE!

1 SAMUEL 2:1 (ABP)
GOD causes my heart to swell with joy!

LUKE 10:20 (NLT)
Rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The thing that lifts me the most is the realization of what God has done on our behalf.

DAILY FODDER
What makes you more happy, what you have accomplished in life or what God has accomplished for you? Does it matter?

PRAYER
Generous God, I'm grateful that you've signed me up to be a part of life in your kingdom. It feels a little esoteric sometimes and I don't fully grasp all the implications. But with your guidance, I'm going to joyfully live as a fully registered citizen of your new and renewed regime -- even now. 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! 

GOD'S LIGHT

DANIEL 2:22 (ABP)
God is so full of light that even the darkest secrets are clearly visible to him.

JOHN 1:5 (ABP)
The light continues to shine in the darkness because the darkness can't possibly flip the switch off.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Count on God's light to clear everything up.

DAILY FODDER
Does God's incredible night vision feel like good news or bad news to you? Why so?

PRAYER
All-knowing God, you see me completely -- past, present, and future. Knowing that nothing about me ever surprises you brings me comfort. Shine the light of your love in every dark place within me, that my arrogance may be cleansed by your unlimited grace. With your forgiving word, Lord, I can face every darkness within myself. 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 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!