ORDINARY PEOPLE

The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 1:9 (CEV)
The Lord reached out his hand, then he touched my mouth and said, "I am giving you the words to say..."

1 CORINTHIANS 2:3-5 (NLT)
I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God touches and speaks through ordinary people. 

DAILY FODDER
Why might God be more interested in speaking through ordinary people than through slick polished preachers?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm amazed at the kinds of people you choose. Forgive us for following around the celebrities who put on a good show that can impress the socks off people. Touch me and give me life enriching words that lead people to Jesus. I want to be a part of the company of your ordinary Spirit-touched people. 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.

EVEN OLD PEOPLE

PSALM 71:18 (CEV)
Don't leave me when I am old
   and my hair turns gray.
Let me tell future generations
   about your mighty power.

LUKE 2:36-38 (CEV)
   The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband died. And now she was 84 years old. Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating.
   At this time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even old people have a vital role as witnesses of God's activity. 

DAILY FODDER
Why might older people struggle to fit into God's plan?

PRAYER
God of the ages, time doesn't affect you. But as I rapidly age I'm feeling the aches, pain, and losses. It's easy to conclude that my life is purposeless. Renew me with the fortitude and wisdom that only comes with age. Even though I don't have the same kind of energy, I'm looking to you for strategic placement. I want to witness to your faithfulness from the perspective of a lifetime of service. I'm going to tell future generations about your mighty power. 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.

THE GOD WHO SUFFERS

ISAIAH 53:3 (MSG)
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.

LUKE 18:32-33 (MSG)
He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus was brought down so he (and we) could be lifted up. 

DAILY FODDER
Why couldn't Jesus just declare salvation in all its aspects into existence, rather than having to suffer so much to make it happen?

PRAYER
God, you chose to become one with us in our suffering and misery. That's the kind of God you are—loving us so much that you'd get your hands dirty rather than changing things through distant fiat. Forgive me for living as though my suffering is unique—an excuse to plot my own way foward. You are uniquely positioned to heal the hurt in my life. Make it so. I know that all your suffering was purposeful. 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.

RELATIONSHIP

DEUTERONOMY 4:31 (NRSV)
Because the LORD your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you...

1 JOHN 5:14 (CEB)
This is the confidence that we have in our relationship with God: If we ask for anything in agreement with his will, he listens to us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can lean into our relationship with God, fully confident that despite our weaknesses he takes us seriously. 

DAILY FODDER
How do we grow confident in our relationship with God?

PRAYER
God, it amazes me how constant your love is. No matter what the Israelites did, you stayed the course with them. Baptized and claimed as your beloved, we are the same to you. Mind-blowing! Give me boldness, knowing that even in the most difficult of circumstances, you will answer me. Let my love become more like yours today. 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.