GARDENING

ISAIAH 61:11 (CEB)
As the earth puts out its growth,
and as a garden grows its seeds,
so the Lord God will grow righteousness and praise before all the nations.

LUKE 13:18-19 (CEB)
Jesus asked, “What is God’s kingdom like? To what can I compare it? It’s like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in a garden. It grew and developed into a tree and the birds in the sky nested in its branches.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Gardening is a great illustration of what God is up to. 

DAILY FODDER
From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, gardens and gardening are prominently featured. Why so? What is there about the garden that so easily illustrates God's activity? 

PRAYER
I praise you, God, for the majesty of your creation. You have made everything just so, with room enough for everything and everyone. Forgive me for excluding others; it's not for me to say which birds get to nest in your branches. Let your gospel take deep root in my heart and your love branch out through me. 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.

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE

PSALM 98:2 (CEB)
The Lord has made his salvation widely known;
   he has revealed his righteousness
   in the eyes of all the nations.

MATTHEW 5:6 (CEB)
Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who are passionate about God's righteousness will ultimately experience success because his justice will prevail.

DAILY FODDER
Righteousness is living right and treating others right, according to the righteous standard established through God's life. The word we translate as "righteous" is often translated as "justice." For justice is treating others rightly. 

PRAYER
Righteous God, I'm so grateful that you are not capricious and that your standards are consistent. Forgive me for the ways I try to define right and wrong apart from you. Stir within me a passion for just and right living according to your standards. I want to be a part of your justice movement to recreate the world in a way that reflects your righteousness.  What a wonderful world this will be when everything that happens here will align with what is happening there in heaven. 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. 

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.