REFRESHMENT

2 SAMUEL 23:3-4 (MSG)
“Whoever governs fairly and well,
     who rules in the Fear-of-God,
Is like first light at daybreak
     without a cloud in the sky,
Like green grass carpeting earth,
     glistening under fresh rain.”

MATTHEW 11:29 (ABP)
Join up to work with me and I'll show you what to do. And don't stress out; for I have a gentle and humble heart. Ironically, when you're "working" with me you'll find the rest you desperately need.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we're working in sync with Christ our lives and outlook are refreshed.

DAILY FODDER
What kind of refreshing would you like to see Christ do in your life right now?

PRAYER
God and Creator of all nations, lead me to share my burdens with Jesus. Help me to rest in his suffering love. I confess my hostile feelings toward many government leaders, both foreign and at home. Forgive me. Replace my contempt with the humble heart of my Lord especially as I bear witness to injustice. 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! 

BLESSINGS UNLIMITED

The 13th Sunday after Pentecost

DEUTERONOMY 2:7 (CEB)
God has blessed you in all that you have done.

JOHN 1:16 (ABP)
Jesus Christ blesses us with gifts from his vast warehouse of grace. Non-stop — the blessings keep coming.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The blessings from Christ are unlimited.

DAILY FODDER
If you didn't believe in Christ, where would you say that all your blessings come from? Would you even acknowledge that you are blessed?

PRAYER
Beneficent God, the blessings that come to us through Christ are unending. Yet, I only manage to acknowledge a few of them. It's almost as though the forest is so dense that I can't see all the trees. Increase my awareness of your generosity so that I can be appropriately grateful. I'm going to live as truly blessed person. 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! 

SHARE

ISAIAH 58:7 (NLT)
Share your food with the hungry...

HEBREWS 13:16 (NLT)
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The thing that really pleases God is when we make a habit out of sharing with those in need.

DAILY FODDER
When was the last time you shared something with someone in need?

PRAYER
Generous God, you've been sharing from the beginning -- creation itself, then the responsibility to manage it with you, then when we botched things up, your Son made a big sacrifice to share new life with us. I learned to share small things as a child, but haven't really taken the whole sharing thing to an adult level, yet. Immerse me so much in the life of Christ that sharing with those in need becomes my second nature. I'm going to be looking today for someone in need. 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! 

PATIENCE

ISAIAH 49:4 (MSG)
I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.
I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.
Nevertheless, I’ll let God have the last word.
I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

JAMES 5:7 (CEV)
My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains to make their valuable crops grow.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't let the injustices of life drag you down but wait patiently for the Lord to make things right.

DAILY FODDER
What is challenging your patience right now? How will the coming of the Lord set things right in that regard?

PRAYER
Faithful God, encourage me by the spirit of Christ to rest in your creative power. Give me the patience of a wise farmer to trust in you to grant life in abundance. Help me to surrender my need to manipulate growth. Raise me up through Christ to abide in his love and to serve with his purpose and fullness. 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!