PROTECTIVE AND GUIDING PRESENCE

PSALM 46:7 (NLT)
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

MARK 6:34 (CEB)
When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's compassion is evident in his protective and guiding presence. 

DAILY FODDER
How is your life changed by realizing God is present with us? 

PRAYER
Compassionate God, I'm grateful that you are here and standing watch over my life. Forgive me for my attempts to distance myself from you. It's not that I don't appreciate you but I have an independent streak that hasn't stopped. Teach me what I need to know so that my default mode of operation is to stay close to your protective and guiding presence. I know that's what I need. 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 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. 

BELONGING

The 8th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 24:1 (CEV)
The earth and everything on it,
including its people,
belong to the LORD.
The world and its people
belong to him.

EPHESIANS 2:19 (MSG)
You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It's great to belong, especially when God is the one including us. 

DAILY FODDER
How does it make you feel knowing you are a full citizen of God's regime?

PRAYER
God, you are sovereign over everything, and hospitable, too. Thank you for the privileged place you've given to me in your world. Forgive me for neglecting that privilege or for considering it to be something it isn't. Help me to understand what it means to belong and to welcome others. Through my relationship with Christ Jesus, I'm going to live as a responsible citizen of YOUR world! 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 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.

EVERLASTING

ISAIAH 41:4 (MSG)

Who did this? Who made it happen?

Who always gets things started?

I did. GOD. I’m first on the scene.

I’m also the last to leave.

REVELATION 1:17-18 (MSG)

Don’t fear: 

I am First, I am Last, I’m Alive. 

I died, but I came to life, 

and my life is now forever.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Relax! God is personally overseeing the everlasting life project—and he's very hands-on.

DAILY FODDER
What wears people down to the point where they wonder about the future? What is God's response to such despair? 

PRAYER
Everlasting God, when everything around us falters, we know that we can count on you to be here. Forgive us for allowing the tough times to get to us. Help us to refocus on you and your everlasting track record. I'm trusting you for life everlasting. 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 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.

WORD-SHAPED PARTNERS

1 KINGS 8:56 (MSG)
Not one of all those good and wonderful words that he spoke through Moses has misfired.

LUKE 24:27 (NLT)
Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The scriptures are reliable, ultimately so in the way they reveal Christ Jesus to us.

DAILY FODDER
How would your relationship with Jesus be different if you didn't have the scriptures written before and after him?

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for the written words that bear witness to your faithfulness, and for the living Word, who embodied faithfulness among us. I regret that I haven't allowed either your written or your living Word to fully permeate my life. I'm asking you to drill deeper into my soul. I want to become a Word-shaped partner in your faithful activity. 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 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.