TUNING INTO THE SPIRIT

The Second Sunday in Lent

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7 (MSG)
Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.

JOHN 14:26 (CEB)
The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Let God be your teacher as you chew on all that he's already said.

DAILY FODDER
What has God been saying to you recently? Are you listening or tuning out? How do we overcome the tuning-out behavior?

PRAYER
Thanks, Lord, for the Spirit that fills my heart and informs my sharing. Remind me to care when I share. Grant me an accepting perspective when I'm tempted to be directive. Forgive my anxiety when your timing and grace are not at my pace. Teach me to live in the sunshine of your face. 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 FUTURE

EZEKIEL 36:11 (NLT)
I will make you even more prosperous than you were before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

ROMANS 15:29 (NLT)
And when I do arrive in Rome, I know it will be with the full blessings of Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

When we're walking with Christ we have an usual confidence about the future, even with full awareness that there are rough patches ahead on the road.

DAILY FODDER
Does the future make you anxious, confident, or indifferent? What does that say about your faith?

PRAYER
Gracious God, the words of the hymn actively bounce around in my head. They are my prayer today.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
Thank you for giving me confidence about the future. 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.

ACCESS APPROVED

PSALM 22:1 (CEV)
My God, my God, why have you
deserted me?
Why are you so far away?
Won't you listen to my groans
and come to my rescue?

MARK 15:38 (NLT)
And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The isolation Jesus felt on the cross resulted in access to God for us.

DAILY FODDER
What is the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died?

PRAYER
My God, my God, thank you for tearing open any barrier that keeps us apart. You know so well that when I despair, I question your care. My groaning becomes a curtain and makes me uncertain and forsaken. Open me to your grace and let me see your face in every place. 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.

SERVICE

PSALM 100:2 (CEB)
Serve the Lord with celebration!
Come before him with shouts of joy!

GALATIANS 6:9 (CEB)
Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We're called to steady consistent service.

DAILY FODDER
The kind of good we can do fluctuates over time and the forms of worship seem to change with each generation, but the constant that matters is our presence and attentive availability to serve in the moment—even when things aren’t rolling in sync with our personal preferences.

PRAYER
Good God, thank you for calling me to seve you. I admit that I'm often blind to the opportunities in front of me because they don't all fit with my personal preferences or understanding of my gifts. Help me to stay steady at my post as the situation around me changes. I want to serve you no matter what. 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.