BLESSED EFFORT

DEUTERONOMY 28:12 (CEB)
The LORD will open up for you his own well-stocked storehouse, the heavens, providing your land with rain at just the right time and blessing all your work.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 (MSG)
With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God blesses all we do in partnership with him. 

DAILY FODDER
In a sentence summarize your personal purpose.

PRAYER
Loving Lord, grant me the ability to live in a manner that truly pleases you. Forgive me for taking your blessings for granted and assuming that the little things done for others cannot possibly make a difference. Grant me a spirit of excellence in all I do, that no one may miss out on experiencing your goodness. 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'S SHARES HIS WISDOM

PROVERBS 2:6 (ABP)
GOD freely gives out wisdom. His speech is rich with knowledge and understanding.

MATTHEW 11:25-26 (MSG)
Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God shares his wisdom with ordinary people who pay attention.

DAILY FODDER
What prevents people from accessing God's wisdom?

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for sharing your insights with ordinary people. Forgive us for thinking we've figured everything out and have a handle on the future. Slow down my over-active imagination so that I can live in this moment with you and hear what you are or aren't saying. I reject all the forms of fake wisdom that are bombarding us. 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.

RESURRECTION

PSALM 16:10 (CEV)
You won't leave me in the grave...

JOHN 11:25-26 (CEB)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In God's scheme of things death is not the final word.

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how does the resurrection of Jesus affect your life today?

PRAYER
Resurrected Savior, I am relieved that death is not the final word. I do regret that so much of how I live now is shaped by the perspective of limited future. Open my eyes and heart to the reality of resurrection living. I want to become a credible witness to eternal life so that everyone in my web of relationships will give serious consideration to the new life that comes through Christ. 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.

ONE GOD, MANY WAYS

Reformation Sunday

DEUTERONOMY 6:4 (CEV)
Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:6 (NLT)
God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The one God works in many different ways.

DAILY FODDER
Why does diversity of Christian expression make us so uncomfortable?

PRAYER
Almighty God, on the Reformation Sunday we are reminded that you are constantly reforming your church. We need it. We've grown narrow-minded and are unwilling to adjust to different approaches. We'd be more comfortable if everyone worshipped in the way we do, had the same priorities, and all expressed their faith using our language. Break through our shortsightedness and give us a heart for your diverse work and your many kinds of people. I joyfully acknowledge that you are the one God but that you work in a plethora of ways. 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.