GOD IN THE HOOD

ISAIAH 60:20 (NLT)
Your days of mourning will come to an end.

JOHN 1:14 (MSG)

The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.

We saw the glory with our own eyes,

    the one-of-a-kind glory,

    like Father, like Son,

Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With the coming of Jesus, the glory days have begun.
 
DAILY FODDER
How would the presence of God in your neighborhood change the dynamics of the community?

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for choosing to live among us. You have changed everything through your presence and your saving activity. I admit that I haven't kept up with all the changes that you have introduced. Help me to get up to speed for life with a divine neighbor. I'm eager to experience the glorious changes that you're introducing. 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! 

RELIEF

PSALM 65:2-3 (MSG)
We all arrive at your doorstep sooner
or later, loaded with guilt,
Our sins too much for us—
but you get rid of them once and for all.

GALATIANS 4:4-5 (NLT)
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When our inability to consistently do the right thing weighs us down, God is there with his freedom and relief package. 
 
DAILY FODDER
Since Christ relieves us of our guilt we should respond by __________________________.

PRAYER
God our Father, you kindly sent your Son Jesus into the world to relieve us of our guilt and free us to serve you. Even when I try my hardest, I can't comprehend the magnitude of this gift. Help me to accept it on a daily basis. As your adopted child I'm going to respond with faith, obedience, and gratitude. 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! 

FROM FEAR TO PRAISE

ISAIAH 41:10 (ABP)
Since I'm with you, you don't need to be afraid. Stop your trembling, for I am your God.

MATTHEW 21:15 (MSG)
...all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Once we truly recognize the presence of God our fears give way to unbridled praise.
 
DAILY FODDER
How would you respond to children running through the temple shouting praise?

PRAYER
God, we're truly blessed by your presence. Sometimes I'm so distracted by the craziness of the world—national unrest, blowhard politicans, pandemics, hate mongers, and environmental indifference—that I fail to notice you and slip into anxiety. Rescue me from the distractions so that I can recognize you and what you're doing here. I'm going to trust your Holy Spirit to turn my fear into praise. 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! 

WAITING

The First Sunday in Advent

ZECHARIAH 1:7 (MSG)
God will comfort Zion again...

LUKE 2:25 (NIRV)
In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and godly man. He was waiting for God’s promise to Israel to come true. The Holy Spirit was with him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It is worth waiting for God to keep his promises. 
 
DAILY FODDER
How is the description of Simeon's character related to his action—that is, his "waiting"?

PRAYER
God, how grateful I am that you kept your promise and sent Jesus the Messiah to rescue our world. There are still holdouts who haven't accepted the defeat of sin and death. Sometimes I get distracted by their antics. Refresh my sense of anticipation. As I remember the first coming of Christ I am waiting for his return to finish cleaning up our mess. 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!