CELEBRATING THE SAVIOR

JEREMIAH 3:23 (ABP)
Despite all the hollering and propaganda to the contrary, only in GOD—our God—is there salvation for Israel.

LUKE 1:46-47 (CEV)
Mary said:
     With all my heart
     I praise the Lord,
          and I am glad
     because of God my Savior.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Celebrate God as Savior!

DAILY FODDER
Which part of the Jesus story triggers the most celebration in you?

PRAYER
My spirit rejoices in you, my God, and my salvation. I confess, though, that I often seek salvation by accumulating wealth, from the praise of others, and in personal accomplishments. Forgive me for pursuing salvation in the wrong places. Today I let go of my false pursuits and, like Mary, humbly love and serve only you. 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.

BROTHER'S KEEPER

1 SAMUEL 17:18 (MSG)
One day, Jesse told David his son, "Check in on your brothers to see whether they are getting along all right, and let me know how they’re doing..."

LUKE 5:18 (MSG)
Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The faith that God notices involves being one's brother's keeper.

DAILY FODDER
We tend to emphasize the personal experiential dimensions of genuine faith. Indeed, those dimensions are essential but what is continually emphasized in scripture are the social dimensions. Genuine faith always involves looking out for one's brothers, sisters, neighbors, and even, as Jesus sees things, one's enemies.

PRAYER
Thank you, generous God, for placing so many wonderful people in my life. Some of them are struggling but I confess that I struggle to find the time and energy to carry them to you.  Given my struggles, show me how to be a healing presence in the lives of those around me. I want to bring all to Jesus and I am confident that you can make that kind of thing 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.

ALL THE PEOPLE

1 KINGS 8:60 (MSG)
Then all the people on earth will know GOD is the true God; there is no other God.

MATTHEW 28:19-20 (CEV)
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God wants to include people from all over in his company of followers.

DAILY FODDER
Who is more exclusive, you or God?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for being so broad in your welcome that you'd include people like me. I confess that I'm still too narrowly focused in how I share the good news of Jesus. It's not that I'm against all those other people but I'm so busy with my own group that I don't have much energy for who is out there beyond. Energize me to reach out to people from everywhere and show me what I have to do differently to effectively reach and nurture them in your ways. I'm going to be a world Christian, even if I have to stay at home. 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 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.