PRIORITIES

The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

PROVERBS 21:21 (MSG)
Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind
finds life itself—glorious life!

MATTHEW 6:33 (ABP)
Make the pursuit of God's agenda of justice and righteousness your first priority; then he'll give you everything you need.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make the pursuit of God's agenda of justice and righteousness your first priority; then he'll give you everything you need.
 
DAILY FODDER
Based on your bank statement, what is your highest priority in life? Ask the same question using your personal calendar. What would your friends say is your highest priority? 

PRAYER
Generous God, you've laid out a clear path to a full and complete life. I confess that I allow my own agenda to get in the way. I am asking you to help reorganize my life so that the agenda of Christ is my highest priority. I'm going to trust you to take care of everything I need to make it and my life happen. 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! 

GENEROUS GOD

ISAIAH 66:13 (CEB)
As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you...

JOHN 16:24 (ABP)
Your joy cup will be filled to the brim because you've asked me for something and received it.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is eager to meet our needs.
 
DAILY FODDER
Why should God care about even the little things we need? 

PRAYER
Generous God, you are the parent who looks out for us throughout our entire lives. You keep on giving and giving until we're overflowing. Forgive me for trying to establish my own supply chain apart from you. Help me to envision a future totally dependent on you. That's the kind of relationship I want. So, I'm listening for what my next step should be. 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! 

THE LIFE OF PATIENCE

ZEPHANIAH 2:3 (MSG)
Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people
who live by God’s justice.
Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life.

COLOSSIANS 3:12 (MSG)
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Strive to live a quiet and patient life that reflects God's way of doing things.
 
DAILY FODDER
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus seems to be quoting Zephaniah 2:3 when he says, "Make the pursuit of God's agenda of justice and righteousness your first priority..." (ABP) How does that fit with a life characterized by patience?

PRAYER
God, you are the most patient of all beings. I confess that even though I'm your child I have not yet picked up on what it means to live a quiet disciplined life. Save me from having to be the person who draws all energy to himself—the one who is always pushing an agenda. Help me to see what patience looks like in my life.  Through Christ, I'm going to pursue a life of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. 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! 

CAREGIVERS

ISAIAH 50:4 (ABP)
My words come from GOD, who is over everything, and he has educated me so that I can encourage the weary.

MATTHEW 25:39 (CEB)
When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In his wisdom, God positions each of us so that we can represent him as caregivers to the distressed. 

DAILY FODDER
How are you caring for people who are going through difficult times? What are you doing to improve your care giving skills? 

PRAYER
Word of life, thank you for teaching me to love others through both words and actions. Forgive me for moments of hesitation or apathy in reaching out to help others in need. Guide me to use the words on my tongue to encourage, support, and sustain. Show me opportunities to be a helper for those I encounter today. 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!