HOPE IN DISCOURAGING TIMES

The 26th Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 29:11 (MSG)
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

ROMANS 8:21 (CEB)
The creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is a future.

DAILY FODDER
This puts all the doom and gloom talk into perspective and gives us the hope that spurs us to action.

PRAYER
Great Creator, your plan is to complete the redemption of all creation, even if we are working against you at times. I admit that I'm discouraged by how things are going in the world. It sucks the hope out of me and makes me lethargic. Restir the hope of Christ in me so that I can join you in the work of renewing all creation. Thank you for including me in your plans. 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.

PEACE AND PROSPERITY ARE COMING

JEREMIAH 33:9 (CEB)
Then this city will bring me great joy, praise, and renown before all nations on earth, when they hear of all the good I provide for them. They will be in total awe at all the good and prosperity I provide for them.

MATTHEW 21:9 (MSG)
Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Peace and prosperity are coming, complements of Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
How is God's peace and prosperity starting to pop up in your life?

PRAYER
"Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!" I confess, though that I have a hard time believing that Jerusalem will ever become a city of peace and prosperity. It's been such a hotspot of turmoil all my life. I grieve over the loss of life and the dehumanizing behavior that plays out in that place. Come, Lord Jesus, come and turn things around. Make that which is the symbol of horror into a center of your kingdom and your kingdom-way of doing life. And start with me. I'm struggling to see how this will happen but I'm going to join the crowd in chanting "Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!" 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.

JOURNEYING WITH GOD

DEUTERONOMY 1:31 (NLT)
And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.

LUKE 24:35 (CEB)
Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God reveals himself through his words and actions as we journey tother with him. 

DAILY FODDER
So many of us want God to answer all our questions before journeying with him, without realizing that he reveals what we need to know as we journey with him.

PRAYER
Ever-present God, thank you for spending time with us along the road of life. I confess that I am so short-sighted that I'm only interested in hearing about things that will speed up the journey. Help me to value the time we spend together sauntering along. I'm eager to hear what you say and see what you want to show. 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.

OWNERSHIP

DEUTERONOMY 10:14 (CEB)
Clearly, the LORD owns the sky, the highest heavens, the earth, and everything in it.

LUKE 2:14 (CEB)
Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord God owns the heavens, the earth, and everything in between.

DAILY FODDER
How is this good news?

PRAYER
Heavenly Creator, the majesty of belonging to you and your earhly creation fills me with gratitude, wonder, and awe. I hope one day to be part of your heavenly creation, even with my limited understanding of what that means. Fill me with the peace that comes from your favor. Help me share this peace of Christ with others. 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.