OUR HOPE

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

PSALM 86:9 (CEB)
All the nations that you’ve made will come
and bow down before you, Lord;
they will glorify your name...

REVELATION 21:3 (CEB)
I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God."

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The world can come bow down to God because God comes to live among us.

DAILY FODDER
How does the future of heaven relocated to earth affect how you are approaching things today?

PRAYER
God, you keep doing this wonderful thing — making yourself present among us. Forgive me for living as though I don't really expect things to change. Recharge my sense of hope and help me to live with appropriate anticipation. I'm looking forward to your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven. 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.

OUR GOAL

1 KINGS 3:11-12 (NLT)
So God replied (to Solomon), "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!"

ROMANS 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Our goal is to live into God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.

DAILY FODDER
To what degree is it possible to live into God's good, pleasing, and perfect will, without seeking wisdom from him?

PRAYER
Holy One, I turn to you to discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect in your sight. I am tempted to conform to this culture's values for life and riches. The pull is strong, yet subtle. Keep me alert to these enticements. Center me on your virtues. Lead me to understand your ways, my guide and my Lord. 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.

THE PATHWAY OF LIFE

PSALM 16:11 (ABP)
You show me the pathway that leads to life.

MATTHEW 16:25 (ABP)
Jesus said to his apprentices, "If you're trying to preserve your way of life, you'll end up losing your very life. Ironically, the only way to save your life is to sacrifice everything for me and my agenda."

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Gain life by sacrificing your life for Jesus and his kingdom.

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, what does it look like to sacrifice your life for Jesus?

PRAYER
Leader God, I'm grateful that you guide us along a pathway that is full of life. I admit, though, that I'm too used to leading my own life. Receiving direction and guidance is hard for me because I don't want to relinquish control or appear like I don't know what I'm doing. Give me the will and humility to release control of my life into your hands. I really do want to travel on the pathway of 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.

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

PSALM 89:15 (MSG)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of GOD.

JOHN 8:12 (CEB)
Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Jesus is all the light we need to experience life.

DAILY FODDER
What is one way that Christ has brought light into your life?

PRAYER
Your light, O Christ, is all that we need to move forward with our lives. Forgive me for stepping out of the beam to explore the darkness. Help me to walk inside the light beam without drifting. My goal is to faithfully walk in the light of Christ. 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.