PROTECTOR GOD

PSALM 118:8 (MSG)
Far better to take refuge in God
   than trust in people;
Far better to take refuge in God
   than trust in celebrities.

2 TIMOTHY 4:16-17 (MSG)
At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stop worrying when the odds are stacked against you and continue trusting in God the real protector.

DAILY FODDER
Why is it easier to fear than to trust God?

PRAYER
Mighty Protector God, you are always there for us — even when we fail to trust you. There are a lot of things that worry me these days. It is so easy for me to go down the rabbit hole of worry and anxiety. Guide me away from such holes so that I can stand steady under your protection regardless of the opposition. 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! 

SUFFERING

The 15th Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 41:52 (CEV)
God has made me a success in the land where I suffered.

ROMANS 5:3-4 (MSG)
We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Suffering strengthens us for God's purposes.

DAILY FODDER
If suffering strengthens us for God's purposes should we be seeking it out or what?

PRAYER
Merciful God, life is full of pain and difficulties. We don't even have to seek it out. I  confess that during the frustrating moments I have a hard time understanding how you use the difficulites for your purposes. It seems like you should just fix things. Help me to trust you so that I can keep my head above the water. I can see how the suffering of our Savior reset history. I'm going to stick close to him no matter what. 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! 

PROMISES

PSALM 105:8 (ABP)
God remembers his covenant promises forever. Even if it takes a thousand generations he will do as he said.

ROMANS 11:28-29 (MSG)
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God’s enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God’s overall purpose, they remain God’s oldest friends. God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even when we fail to live up to God's expectations, his promises remain active.

DAILY FODDER
How do you know that God's promises are never rescinded?

PRAYER
Faithful God, you stay true to your word even when we flake out and turn our allegiance other directions. Forgive me for the way that this flakiness presents in my life. Help me to remember what you've said and to live by it. I'm going to live according to your word and your over-arching promises. 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! 

LIVE ON!

ISAIAH 26:19
Your dead will live...

HEBREWS 12:1 (MSG)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Press on for death isn't the finish line. 

DAILY FODDER
Imagine yourself as among that huge group of Jesus-followers cheering on the coming generations of Christians. What do you think you'll be yelling to them? What do they need to hear?

PRAYER
Loving God, you raised Jesus from the dead and have promised that we'll join him with our own resurrected bodies in the future. Forgive us for living as though the entirety of our existence is wrapped up in the current moment. Give us long lens and motivation to live with the eternal future in mind. I'm preparing now to be among the great cloud of witnesses then. 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!