PEACEMAKER

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

MICAH 5:5 (NLT)
And he will be the source of peace.

1 PETER 3:9 (CEV)
Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We foster peace by repaying evil with good.

DAILY FODDER
What if someone fails to respond to your blessing? Should you change strategies or keep it up until you're dead? 

PRAYER
Lord, you've called us to partner with you in the peacemaking business. Forgive me for overriding your business plan. It's just so hard to continuously respond to evil with good. Spare me from fatigue and trauma. Empower me through your indwelling Spirit to dispense blessings to my enemies. I see how Jesus did that even up on the cross. I want to imitate him in my circumstances. 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.

JOYFUL

PROVERBS 15:13 (MSG)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

ACTS 8:39 (CEV)
...he was very happy as he went on his way.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Interaction with God tends to foster a cheerful disposition.

DAILY FODDER
What blocks the joy from your life? How can you do an end-run around such blocks?

PRAYER
Lord of life, your grace bubbles up in baptismal waters. Come to me again today and push out the hate and hurt I hold in my heart. Let me see your face, that my face would reflect your joy. As I journey forward from this moment of grace, use me to bring others into your presence. 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.

GOD ALONE

JOB 9:8-9 (CEV)
God alone stretched out the sky,
stepped on the sea,
and set the stars in place—
the Big Dipper and Orion,
the Pleiades and the stars
in the southern sky.

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 (CEB)
However, for us believers,
There is one God the Father.
All things come from him, and we belong to him.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ.
All things exist through him, and we live through him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
All creation, including our lives, revolves around the activity of the one God.

DAILY FODDER
1 Corinthians 8:6 appears to be an early creedal statement, perhaps used in Christian worship. It is not just a statement of facts but an invitation to pledge your allegiance to the one God, including the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Creator God, we acknowledge that you have made everything and hold everything together through Christ Jesus. Forgive us for living as though the universe revolves around our personal worlds. Show us how to best fit into what you are doing. We want to go with your flow and live in a tight relationship 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.

FORGIVENESS

PSALM 143:2 (MSG)
Do what’s right for me.
But don’t, please don’t, haul me into court;
not a person alive would be acquitted there.

LUKE 7:48, 50 (CEB)
Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We access forgiveness through faith.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus sent the woman off in peace. How much does forgiveness contribute to peace?

PRAYER
God, the Psalmist is correct, we don't have a leg to stand on when confronting judgment. But the good new is that you've given us a leg through Christ Jesus, who has dealt with all the judgment we deserve. Thank you. I regret that sometimes I still think of myself as a slick lawyer who can stand up for himself. Help me to see how even my faith is a gift from you. You are merciful. 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.