MOVING TOWARD YOUR ENEMIES WITH PEACE

JEREMIAH 29:7 (CEB)
Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare.

MATTHEW 21:10 (CEB)
And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

It behoves us to pursue the wellbeing of even our enemies.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus said that we should love and pray for our enemies. But why would God tell the captured Hebrews to promote the welfare of the people who had taken them into exile? Isn't that traitorous? Or is there some other reason?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful for the way you treat me, even when I don’t treat you so well. Help me to embrace your approach to grace and mercy so that I can freely seek the wellbeing of those who dislike me. I'm going to look at my enemies in a whole new way. 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.

TIMIDITY AND GOD'S PRESENCE

Transfiguration Sunday

HAGGAI 2:5 (MSG)
I’m living and breathing among you right now. Don’t be timid. Don’t hold back.

JOHN 16:33 (CEV)
Jesus: "While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world."

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The personal entry of God into our world lifts us up and gives us confidence.

DAILY FODDER
What are you being timid about these days? What is God saying to you about that situation?

PRAYER
Glorious God, you've shared your glory with us through your presence. I know that I shouldn't let the problems of the world drag me down, but I do. As I walk with Christ, cheer me up and restore my confidence in your outcomes. You've gotten me to this point in life and I'm going to trust you to walk me through the rest of it. I'm not going to be timid. 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.

GOD DOES GREAT THINGS

PSALM 71:15 (ABP)
I'll talk all day long telling people about all the great things you do to save your people. The reality is that if I could figure out all that you've done and then started to list it all I couldn't possibly count that high.

LUKE 1:49 (NLT)
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God has done so much for me that I can't possibly be aware or count it all.

DAILY FODDER
What "small" thing has God done for you this week?

PRAYER
Powerful God, you've done so much for me that I can't possibly thank you enough. Forgive me for all the times that it is obvious and I'm so lost in my own world that I don't notice what you've done. Generate greater awareness so that my gratitude bubbles over into everyday conversation and you end up receiving all the appropriate recognition. You are beyond comprehension. 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.

FORGIVENESS

ISAIAH 40:2 (MSG)
Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,
     but also make it very clear
That she has served her sentence,
     that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough,
     and now it’s over and done with.

LUKE 24:47 (CEV)
They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Turn around; start walking toward God and into the forgiveness zone.

DAILY FODDER
What would it take to convince yourself that you really are forgiven?

PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you for establishing the forgiveness zone that we enter as we come into the relational presence of Jesus.  It's a place of peace for my anxious soul. Show me how to communicate this good news to all who are troubled by their sins. 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.