SENSELESS DISCUSSIONS

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 119:66 (MSG)
Train me in good common sense;
I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.

2 TIMOTHY 2:23 (MSG)
Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Sensible people refuse to get sucked into senseless exchanges.

DAILY FODDER
What are the top ten topics in modern inane discussions?

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be like you, full of good judgment and knowledge, a lover of your commandments. Forgive me when I am stupid and senseless, stirring up controversies and quarrels.  Show me how to listen to others and understand them. Give me wisdom for when to speak and how to act. Today, make me a peacemaker. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CHOOSE WISDOM

1 KINGS 3:5-6, 9 (MSG)
   GOD appeared to Solomon in a dream: God said, “What can I give you? Ask.”
   Solomon said, "Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil."

MATTHEW 4:8-10 (MSG)
   For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”
   Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When given the choice, and you will be, stay focused and ask for a "God-listening heart." 

DAILY FODDER
How do the events of Matthew 4:8-10 echo those of 1 Kings 3:5-9? How is Satan so  presumptuous? How is Jesus so wise?

PRAYER
Almighty God, you are the only one worthy of our attention and allegiance. I admit that I sometimes entertain the devil's invitations, unaware of the source or the situation. So, I would echo Solomon in asking you to equip me with your wisdom. I want to make a difference in the world around me so I need a level of discernment that can't be found anywhere but with 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD'S DOING

DANIEL 9:18 (CEV)
Please show mercy to your chosen city, not because we deserve it, but because of your great kindness.

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Everything we have can be traced back to God's grace, mercy, and kindness; so live accordingly.

DAILY FODDER
Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don't get what you deserve. Grace is when you get something you don't deserve. Kindness is being treated well when you experience justice, mercy, or grace.

PRAYER
Gracious and merciful Jesus, you give me what I don't deserve: all good things. Though I am a sinner, you don't give me what I do deserve: condemnation and death.  My "doing" cannot achieve my salvation. Nor can my unrighteous "doing" separate me from your love. Through your death and resurrection, you have declared me righteous. Praise to you! 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

YOU NEED A SHEPHERD

PSALM 28:9 (GW)
Save your people, and bless those who belong to you.
Be their shepherd, and carry them forever.

MATTHEW 9:36 (NLT)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is the compassionate shepherd.

DAILY FODDER
Imagine yourself a wandering flockless sheep. How does it feel when a shepherd takes you into his flock? How does that change your life?

PRAYER
Good Sheperd, thank you for bringing me into the protective custody of your flock. I confess that I'm prone to wander, unaware of how vulnerable I am. Yet, as clueless as I am, you assume my care. Help me to recognize the value of what you have done and are doing for me. Enable me to stay close, while welcoming the lost into your flock. When I think about it, there is no place I'd rather be. 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.