TRUSTWORTHY

JEREMIAH 16:19 (CEV)
Our LORD, you are the one
who gives me strength
and protects me like a fortress
when I am in trouble.

2 TIMOTHY 1:12 (MSG)
I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord is trustworthy in all things.

DAILY FODDER
What is making you feel vulnerable now? How do you go about entrusting that issue to the Lord? 

PRAYER
God, my refuge and fortress, your presence surrounds me. When troubles are overwhelming, I regret that I often fall into old habits of worries and fear. Forgive me, Lord. You gifted me with life—body, mind, and spirit. I am convinced that you will also protect that life to the end. I can trust you forever. 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 SPECIALIZES IN MERCY

MICAH 7:18 (MSG)
Where is the god who can compare with you—
   wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear,
   to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long,
   for mercy is your specialty.

LUKE 1:54 (CEV)

God helps his servant Israel

and is always merciful

to his people.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God specializes in mercy.

DAILY FODDER
If God specializes in mercy, shouldn't those who claim allegiance to him ooze in mercy themselves? Instead, it seems, that we've become hard nosed and rigid in our approach to weakness in others.  

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, I'm grateful that you've included me in your family. I confess that I need mercy more than I'm able to give it. Don't be angry with me. Soften my heart so that mercy becomes my default response to the needy among us. This is the way of Jesus, in whose name I pray. 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.

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.