LIGHT

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 1:3 (CEV)
God said, “I command light to shine!” And light started shining.

EPHESIANS 5:9 (CEB)
Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is the source of the light that makes the world wonderful. 

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how does the light of Christ in your life improve your life?

PRAYER
Jesus, you are the light of the world and you've called us to be light to the world around us. Forgive us for our failure to recognize the importance of light. We let our neighbors stumble around in the dark and think little of it. Crank up the lumens in our lives so that your light shines through us and follows us wherever we go this week. Might the world around us experience every sort of goodness, justice, and truth because you are shining through us! 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 LOVE

JEREMIAH 12:3 (CEB)
Yet you, Lord, you know me.
You see me.
You can tell that I love you.

EPHESIANS 4:15 (CEB)
Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It is love from Christ and for Christ that propels us into spiritual maturity. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is love so central to spiritual growth? (hint: 1 John 4:8)

PRAYER
God, you loved us even before we realized that there was such a thing. Thank you for developing your love in me. Apart from you I'd live a stunted existence. But your love energizes me. Continue to develop it in my life. Replace my over-inflated ego with your love. I want to grow in my love for you and your truth, as well as for my neighbors — even those who are unloveable. You are my only hope in this matter. 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! 

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

PSALM 119:2 (ABP)
Those who give themselves to following God's instructions live happy and content lives. And we're not just talking about appearances but about pursuing his ways with 100% of who they are.

MATTHEW 5:19 (MSG)
Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Honor comes when we give ourseves to following God's instructions. 

DAILY FODDER
Is it even possible to live 100% according to God's law? How do we take both our inadequacies and the expectations of obedience seriously?

PRAYER
In your love, God, you have instructed us in how to live. For that I'm grateful. But I'm also frustrated that the bar is too high for me — even with my good intentions. I recognize that Christ himself is the only one who gets it 100%. So, thank you for sending him and allowing me to ride on his coattails. That good news energizes me to pursue your ways with all of who I am — the person you're reshaping into his perfect image. 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! 

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

JUDGES 8:23 (CEV)
“No,” Gideon replied, “I won't be your king, and my son won't be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler.”

MATTHEW 23:11 (CEV)
Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Great leadership is about stepping away from opportunities to be the authority in charge. 

DAILY FODDER
The notion of servant leadership sometimes feels romantic or noble until someone starts treating you like a servant.

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you led by setting aside your power and authority to step down into humanity. And we treated you like dirt. Forgive me for lusting after power and control — even when I want it so I can do good. Lead me to become the type of servant leader you are. I'm going to influence the world around me by following in your footsteps. 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!