MISFITS

ISAIAH 2:11 (MSG)
People with a big head are headed for a fall,
pretentious egos brought down a peg.
It’s GOD alone at front-and-center
on the Day we’re talking about...

1 CORINTHIANS 1:27-31 (MSG)
Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God keeps our egos in check by working with misfits.

DAILY FODDER
Would you classify yourself as a "misfit"? Why or why not?

PRAYER
Glorious God, you are full of surprises! I'm grateful that you are unconventional enough to include people like me in your plan to redo the world. Forgive us for the times when we confidently let ourselves run ahead of you telling you how to do things. Hold me back so that I'm in full sync with your agenda and timing. I want to keep the focus on Christ Jesus. 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.

MARRIAGE

EXODUS 20:14 (CEB)
Do not commit adultery.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:3 (CEB)
The husband should meet his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should do the same for her husband.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Keep sexual intimacy within the relational framework of marriage.

DAILY FODDER
Why does God feel the need to make 10% of his great commandments for Israel about keeping marriages pure? 

PRAYER
Creator of all life, I am grateful your word teaches us how to live respectfully with others. Thank you for highlighting the importance of loved ones honoring their intimate love. I am blessed that you choose to be in close communion with me. Give me grace to choose to live with your love and forgiveness for myself and for 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.

PRIORITIZING THE POOR

PROVERBS 14:31 (CEB)
Those who are kind to the poor honor God.

MATTHEW 9:21 (CEB)
Jesus said, “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's economy revolves around caring for the poor.

DAILY FODDER
How does Jesus' understanding of reality challenge modern economic theory? 

PRAYER
Loving God, your priorities are refreshingly different. But they're also challenging. It's hard to prioritize the needs of the poor and not always very practical. Show me how to live out your agenda in a world system that depends on prioritizing the desires of the affluent. I'm open to doing things your way. 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.

YOUR EYES

PSALM 119:37 (MSG)
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

LUKE 11:34 (MSG)
Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Where you focus your eyes affects the kind of person you become.  

DAILY FODDER
How does one shift from focusing on the cheap and meaningless to the things that matter? How do we come to recognize what matters and is worthy of attention?

PRAYER
Light of the world, thank you for giving me eyes to see love's light. I know that in looking at the vanities of this world there is darkness. Sometimes I can hardly turn away. Enlighten me in mind, body, and soul. Keep me focused on your light. I pray that it will shine through all that I do. 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.