GOD'S FAVOR

The Second Sunday in Lent

PSALM 30:6-7 (MSG)

When things were going great

I crowed, “I’ve got it made.

I’m GOD's favorite.

He made me king of the mountain.”

Then you looked the other way

and I fell to pieces.

JOHN 16:22 (NTFE)
You have sorrow now. But I shall see you again, and your hearts will celebrate, and nobody will take your joy away from you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our joy revolves around the Lord's favor.

DAILY FODDER
Is the issue our inability to experience God's favor because what we're doing keeps us from seeing God or is it that God is annoyed with what we're doing and withholds his favor?

PRAYER
Hidden God, when I'm full of myself, I can't see you. What seems like success flutters, and then it's gone. But you, Lord, enter my disappointment and pain, promising to exchange them for joy. You offer me courage and new beginnings. Your light shines on my grateful, forgiven face. Today, let me share every blessed thing you give me. 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.

NEW

ISAIAH 62:2 (MSG)
You’ll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of GOD.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 (MSG)
Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ is in the renewal business.

DAILY FODDER
I do like the Common English Bible's rendering of 2 Corinthians 5:17. It captures a nuance embedded in the message that we sometimes miss, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation." When Christ renews us it is an aspect of his greater mission of renewing all creation. Only renewed individuals will be able to function in the new creation. So when Christ makes you new he is investing in the future.  

PRAYER
Redeemer God, we humans have messed up your beautiful creation in ways that we don't understand. Yet, you are in the process of restoring and renewing it all. Thank you for what Jesus did when he came, died, and rose again. I want to be a part of the new creation. Make me into a new person from head to toe so that I can participate in it. You're  the only one who can make this happen so I am putting my trust in 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.

SUPREME LEADER

ZECHARIAH 14:9 (MSG)
GOD will be king over all the earth, one GOD and only one. What a Day that will be!

ROMANS 10:12 (ABP)
Everyone has the same supreme leader, the Lord, who is overgenerous to all who seek his help.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It will be incredible when everyone turns to the Lord as supreme leader over all creation.

DAILY FODDER
All the fake pseudo-leaders who can only act on their own behalf will give way to the Lord, who will be over all. Start the process of realigning your life with him now.

PRAYER
Supreme Leader, you are lord over all creation and are worthy of all honor and allegiance. Forgive our infatuation with the temporal leaders who are off-track so much of the time and unable to influence the world toward unity and restoration. Help us to turn to you, Jesus, and give exclusive allegiance to him and his ways. You are generous to all who turn to you for help—and sooner is better. 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.

DIFFERENT

GENESIS 6:8 (MSG)
But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.

1 PETER 2:9 (NLT)
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The people who please God seem to be different from others.

DAILY FODDER
Different=holy. God is holy, meaning he is unlike anyone or anything else. So it shouldn't surprise us that those enlightened by him will be different from the rest of the world—or at the very least, recognize that they are called to different.

PRAYER
Holy God, thank you for our unique call as your people. Forgive us for our efforts to minimize our uniqueness as we try to fit in with our neighbors. Grant us wisdom so we can discern the best ways to relate to our hurting world without giving up our holiness and our unique calling as your representatives. I am going to accept the fact that I will always be different and that is good. 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.