NEW SONG

PSALM 98:1 (ABP)
Sing something new for GOD.
He’s so deserving 

   because of the marvelous things he's done!

JOHN 1:16 (ABP)
We're all living off the boundless generosity of the Son. His gifts just keep coming.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Respond to the generosity of God with a new song. 

DAILY FODDER
If God deserves a new song, what is the old song that needs to be retired? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the blessings upon blessings you have provided in my life. Because of you, I have a song to sing and stories to tell. I'm sorry sometimes the music and words stay inside my mind and heart. Show me someone today with whom I can share your melody of grace and love. 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 wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

SATISFIED

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 104:27-28 (CEB)

All your creations wait for you

    to give them their food on time.

When you give it to them, they gather it up;

    when you open your hand, they are filled completely full!

JOHN 6:35 (MSG)
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who are in a relationship with Jesus are fully satisfied. 

DAILY FODDER
What kind of hunger and thirst is Jesus talking about?

PRAYER
I thank you, God, for sending Jesus into the world to satisfy our needs. I admit that there are times when my soul drifts and I look elsewhere. But nothing is as satisfying as life with him, according to his plan. So please help me to stay on track. Everything else ends up so disorienting. I'm looking to you to satisfy all my hunger and thirst. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

PLANTING

HOSEA 10:12 (ABP)
Plant justice and you'll reap as well a bumper crop of consistent unending love.

LUKE 12:16-17, 19-20 ()
A rich man's farm produced a big crop, and he said to himself, “You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’”

But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Plant justice and you'll reap as well a bumper crop of consistent unending love.

DAILY FODDER
What are you planting? How does one go about planting justice seeds? What does that even mean?

PRAYER
Generous Savior, you provide all that we need for where we are. Forgive me for the way that I've been captivated by the allure of "the good life" and have been cosumed with planting the seeds of success. Retrain me so that I'm  equally consumed with planting seeds of justice. With Jesus I want to have a heart full of compassion, mercy, and love. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

FOUNDATION

EZRA 3:11 (CEB)
All of the people shouted with praise to the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s house had been laid.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:11 (CEB)
No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Accept no substitutes; the only sustainable foundation is Jesus Christ himself.

DAILY FODDER
How does Jesus function as the foundation of your life? What does that look like for you?

PRAYER
Almighty God, you have graced us with a mighty foundation that withstands all assaults and all disasters. You are the only safe place to build. Yet, I confess that I've been busy building my own thing on my own foundation. But the things that seemed like such a good idea in the past don't seem so sustainable anymore. Help me to shift everything over to you and your foundation. I want to become a part of the temple, the house, that you are building to change the world. I now know that I can't do anything on my own, but I am trusting you to make the lasting difference.  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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.