GOD'S SHARED ASSETS

PSALM 40:5 (MSG)

The world’s a huge stockpile

of God-wonders and God-thoughts.

Nothing and no one

compares to you!

I start talking about you, telling what I know,

and quickly run out of words.

Neither numbers nor words

account for you.

COLOSSIANS 2:3 (ABP)
The wealth of wisdom and knowledge are tucked away out of sight in Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Not all of God's assets are currently visible but what we can see is beyond words.

DAILY FODDER
Why doesn't God fully reveal what he has up his sleeve? 

PRAYER
In your wisdom, all-knowing God, you reveal only what we can handle. I get frustrated and complain when things don't make sense to me. So I am asking that you would increase my capacity to share in your wisdom and knowledge. Toward that end I'm going to focus more on using what you have already revealed. 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! 

HIGHEST AUTHORITY

DANIEL 6:26 (MSG)
He is the living God, world without end. 

His kingdom never falls.
His rule continues eternally.

EPHESIANS 1:22 (NLT)
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is no one with more authority and power than Christ.

DAILY FODDER
How does it shape the way we relate to Christ, knowing that we're dealing with the top boss?

PRAYER
Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—there is no one over you. And that is not going to change. I confess that I get too rattled by the political instability of the world—as though everything hinges on who is in power. Keep me aware of who is really in charge. I'm not going to get anxious because of the way that the lesser powers of the world operate. 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! 

GENTLE CORRECTION

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost

LEVITICUS 19:17 (MSG)
Don’t secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

GALATIANS 6:1 (CEV)
My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. 

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Use your gentle voice to help others get back on track.

DAILY FODDER
Why is it that when we're trying to correct others we often come across as harsh and condescending?

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, you gently lead your sheep to where they need to be. But when we have to lead, especially those who are troublemakers, we feel the need to drive them along the way. Please give me the heart of Jesus so that when it is my turn to keep others on track I can do so with Christ-like gentleness. I'm going to eliminate harshness from my life so that I don't become a part of the problem. 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! 

FRUITFULNESS

JEREMIAH 17:7-8 (CEB)
Happy are those who trust in the Lord,
   who rely on the Lord.
They will be like trees planted by the streams,
   whose roots reach down to the water.
They won’t fear drought when it comes;
   their leaves will remain green.
They won’t be stressed in the time of drought
   or fail to bear fruit.

GALATIANS 5:22-23 (CEB)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Fruitfulness is the measure of a healthy relationship with the Lord.

DAILY FODDER
How fruitful is your life? How can you increase fruitfulness in your life? 

PRAYER
Jesus, how satisfying it is to be planted and rooted in you. Forgive me for choosing to indulge the old nature instead of the new one you lovingly implanted in me. Your Spirit flowing through me gives me life and joy—I want more, Lord! May my life, words, and actions display you at work within me. 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!