NEVER ABANDONED

PSALM 42:6 (MSG)
When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you...

JOHN 14:18 (MSG)
I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Just because things are a bit discouraging that doesn't mean that Jesus has abandoned us.

DAILY FODDER
How do you go about tuning into the presence of God when things aren't going so well?

PRAYER
O living God, Lord of my life, you have given me the gift of memory. Though today my soul is forlorn and I live without hope, I know that you will never abandon me. You will come to me in my time of need and bring me back into your loving and forgiving embrace. 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! 

LIVING WITH ANTICIPATION

The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 63:15 (MSG)
Look down from heaven, look at us!
Look out the window of your holy and magnificent house!
Whatever happened to your passion,
your famous mighty acts,
Your heartfelt pity, your compassion?

GALATIANS 5:5 (NLT)
But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
By faith we continually put one foot in front of the other, trusting that God is going to act in accordance with his promises.

DAILY FODDER
What are you expecting God to do with his world? With you?

PRAYER
From your glorious perch, O God, look down upon us with your mercy. Your world is a mess, having rejected both your direction and your grace. Please don't crush us! We're trusting that Christ will return and set things right. Help me to live according to that promise and without angst. Gently restrain my impulses to fix everything myself. I'm going to eagerly wait for your justice to mercifully reshape the world and your righteousness to bloom in my life. 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! 

SHIELD

PSALM 16:1 (ABP)
Protect me, God. I'm counting on you because you are my safe place.

MATTHEW 6:13 (ABP)

Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our shield.

DAILY FODDER
From what do expect God to protect you?

PRAYER
Savior God, thank you for being on duty — ever watching over us — caring for us — protecting us. Forgive me for trying to make a go of it on my own. Remind me daily that I can and should stand behind your shield. The world is full of threats but I can relax under your protection. 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! 

TRUTH AND JUSTICE

EXODUS 23:1 (CEV)
Don't spread harmful rumors...

EPHESIANS 4:25 (MSG)
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we fail to tell the truth we only end up harming ourselves.

DAILY FODDER
How do people get sucked into thinking that participating in lies or half-truths is to their own benefit?

PRAYER
Honest God, you value truth and justice — values to which we give lots of lip service but little energy. Change my heart so that truth is a Christ-driven passion in my life. I'm going to have nothing to do with the conspiracy theories and fake news which have become so prevelent, even among those who claim to follow Christ. Even if no one notices I'm going to stick with the truth. 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!