CALLING ALL MISCREANTS

ISAIAH 43:1 (ABP)
Don’t be afraid, I’m reviving you.
I’ve called you by name. You’re mine.

LUKE 19:5 (MSG)
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God is calling all miscreants.

DAILY FODDER
Why would God want to call you?

PRAYER
Awesome God, just as you called the scampy nation of Israel... just as you called the sinner Zacchaeus down from his perch... so you continue to call questionable people. It's in your nature to partner with the unreliables and transform them. Help me set aside whatever I have going for me so I can hear your call and join your glorious company of miscreants. I want to follow Jesus. 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.

LOVING FATHER

PSALM 147:11 (ABP)
GOD delights in those who are forever awestruck by him, those who sit on the edge of their seats waiting to see how he is going to again reveal his faithfulness and love.

ROMANS 8:15 (CEV)
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Picture God as your loving father full of wonderful surprises.

DAILY FODDER
How will your experience with God be different if you think of him as a grumpy old man or as a loving father?

PRAYER
Abba Father, my hope is in your steadfast love. Thank you for adopting me as your beloved child. I am grateful that your adoption comes with an abundance of love. Let it free me from the bondage of my fears. Keep me safe in your wonderful embrace. Abba, thank you for loving me. I love you, too. 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.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Second Sunday after Epiphany

ISAIAH 56:1 (CEB)
The LORD says:
   Act justly and do what is righteous,
   because my salvation is coming soon,
   and my righteousness will be revealed.

MATTHEW 3:14-15 (MSG)
   Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”
   But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you want a more complete picture of God's righteousness and righteous expectations look at Jesus. 
 
DAILY FODDER
All law and prophecy should be interpreted through the Jesus lens. 

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself to become one of us and your solidarity was so great that you were baptized with ordinary people—sinners. You launched a new humanity founded on your understanding of God's righteousness and justice. Forgive me for treating righteousness and justice as abstract concepts disconnected from our everyday lives. Show me how to make your righteousness my lifestyle. I want to do this right. 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.

RENEWED

PSALM 39:5 (CEV)
You made my life short,
so brief that the time
means nothing to you.
“Human life is but a breath..."

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 (CEV)
We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even though life seems short and fragile we press on because we trust that through Christ God is eternally renewing our lives. 
 
DAILY FODDER
In God's economy, the value of life isn't measured by longevity.

PRAYER
Renewer of life, I praise you as each new day dawns. I am grateful, that even as my body declines, your love renews me day to day. However, at times growing old is no picnic. As my abilities wane, give me a purpose for living. Help me be an encouragement to others who are aging and need hope. 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.