OUTSIDERS

MALACHI 1:11 (MSG)
“I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me by bringing their best to me. They’re saying it everywhere: ‘God is greater, this God-of-the-Angel-Armies.’

MATTHEW 8:11 (MSG)
This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is leading outsiders into full participation in God’s kingdom. 

DAILY FODDER
God's inclusion plan is so thorough that the outsiders aren't just allowed in the door but they have privileged places at the table.

PRAYER
God-of-the-angel-armies, you use your great power for hospitality rather than exclusion. Forgive our failure to function with such radical welcome. We're suspicious of immigrants and refugees and hesitant to spend money on anyone outside our own tribe—on anyone who might not benefit us. Change our hearts and broaden our approach so that it is second nature to treat outsiders as insiders. I want to become a greeter in your kingdom. 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.

SIN

Ash Wednesday

ISAIAH 59:2 (MSG)
There’s nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you.
Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God.
Your sins got between you so that he doesn’t hear.

ROMANS 6:23 (CEV)
Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Sin is destructive but God is life-giving.

DAILY FODDER
How does one receive God's gift? 

PRAYER
Please hear my cry, Lod Jesus. When given the choice to work for sin's wages or receive your free gift, I too often choose the wages. I like accountability and payment. What's free seems risky. But life in you is eternal. Today I choose your gift of life. Thank you for forgiving me and showing me your face.  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.

SHOWING UP

ZECHARIAH 2:10 (NLT)
The LORD says, "Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you."

MATTHEW 21:10 (CEB)
And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus' strategy for challenging the ugliness of the world is to show up and park himself right in the middle of it. 

DAILY FODDER
How is Jesus's approach different from all prior revolutionaries? 

PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for showing up in this messy, troubled world. Sometimes I too wonder who you are, even amidst the joyful songs and healing laughter that accompany you. You reassure me that you are here to save, to forgive, and to love. Help me live with your promises and tell everyone about you. 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.

ATTENTION

PSALM 139:23-24 (NRSV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

MATTHEW 7:4 (MSG)
The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Slackers will have a hard time moving along with God. 

DAILY FODDER
God knows what kind of losers we are at the core. But our deep rooted failure doesn't prevent him from reaching out to us. It's more that our rotten core keeps us from responding to God's kind overtures.  

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, thank you for caring about us even when we could care less about you. We lack the capacity to attend to you and your ways. Worm your way into my life. Fine tune my attention span so my long and short term focus remains with you. Jesus, I recognize that you are THE way to life so I'm going to stick with you. 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.