OUT OF MY LEAGUE

ISAIAH 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

1 CORINTHIANS 1:25 (ABP)
The "foolishness" of God is way wiser than any human wisdom. And his "weakness" is stronger than human "strength."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We're not in the same league as God so it behooves us to trust him and tap into the resources he offers.
 
DAILY FODDER
We live in a world of chaos and conflict of our own doing. Why do we think that we have any chance of fixing things on our own? Instead of seeking more power or wisdom look to what God offers.

PRAYER
Almighty God, I'm not in your league but that doesn't stop me from trying to generate cheap knockoffs of your power and wisdom. And we're so simple-minded that we don't even realize what we're doing. Help me to see how I'm overstepping my abilities so that I can stand down and trust what you so freely share. I'm going to trust in your wisdom to carry this out. 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! 

UNSTOPPABLE LOVE

JEREMIAH 32:40 (MSG)
I’ll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I’ll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they’ll not even think of turning away from me.

1 JOHN 4:9 (MSG)
This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's love for us is unstoppable.
 
DAILY FODDER
Even though God's love is unstoppable and always directs us toward the best of life, it is never forced.

PRAYER
Glorious God, your love for us—for me—is unstoppable. You are the original Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going. I'm unworthy but grateful. Forgive me for the times when I look elsewhere for affection in my life. Help me to know your love more deeply and share it more liberally. I'm going to live the Christ-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! 

NEEDINESS

ISAIAH 55:1 (MSG)
Hey there! All who are thirsty,
come to the water!

MARK 1:32 (MSG)
That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who recognize their neediness are invited to come to Jesus. 
 
DAILY FODDER
How is it that our relationship with Jesus hinges on our neediness?

PRAYER
Great Physician, you heal those who turn to you with their needs. I admit that I avoid going to doctors until I'm desperate. It's so much easier to pretend that everything is going to simply work out. Help me to get in the habit of regular doctor visits with you so that we can deal with my neediness before it gets out of hand. I'm going to trust you to be my primary care physician. I'll do what you say and check in with all of the specialists on your team. 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! 

RECONCILIATION

ISAIAH 57:16 (CEB)
I won’t always accuse,
nor will I be enraged forever.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 (CEB)
In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God sent Christ into the world to shift us into a mode of reconciliation.
 
DAILY FODDER
Why is it so much easier to harbor resentment over the way we've been treated than to initiate reconciliation?

PRAYER
God, thank you for your message of reconciliation that can restore relationships. I confess my tendency to avoid conflict and choose the path of least resistance, rather than repairing relationships. Forgive me for taking that too easy way. Show me opportunities to speak the truth in love and bring others together. 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!