GENEROSITY

Ash Wednesday
(the first day of Lent)

1 CHRONICLES 29:14 (NLT)
But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!

MATTHEW 10:8 (NLT)
Give as freely as you have received!

SUMMARY SENTENCE

In God's economy, generosity breeds generosity.

DAILY FODDER
How has God set you up to become a generous person?

PRAYER
Gracious God, I have nothing that can't be traced back to your generous hand. And while I like the idea of generosity I've yet to really figure out how to implement your approach to it. I need to be freed from the false notion of scarcity and tap into your abundance. I want to give as freely as I've been given to. 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.

HONORING GOD THROUGH OBEDIENCE

LEVITICUS 22:32 (CEV)
The Lord said, "Don't disgrace my holy name."

LUKE 6:46 (MSG)
Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you?

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The action that most honors God is doing what he says to do.

DAILY FODDER
There are no shortcuts to honoring God. It doesn't happen through the slogan on your t-shirt or car. It doesn't just happen by really getting into the music at church. It doesn't happen by using the latest Christian phone app. As good as those things might be the thing which actually honors God is doing what he says to do.

PRAYER
Holy God, thank you for your guidance. You've made it clear that we're to love you and our neighbors. But even those simple instructions get ignored in my life. I'm so wrapped up with my own agenda for life and I'm not keen on reading instructions, anyway. Help me to prioritize your directions. I want to honor you through my obedience to you. 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.

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.