OUTPOURING

JOEL 2:28 (MSG)
I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people...

ACTS 2:33 (NCV)
Jesus was lifted up to heaven and is now at God’s right side. The Father has given the Holy Spirit to Jesus as he promised. So Jesus has poured out that Spirit, and this is what you now see and hear.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Since the Spirit of God has been dispersed broadly through Jesus, we have ongoing access to the wisdom and energy of God.

DAILY FODDER
What would be different for you if the Holy Spirit of God didn't live in you? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that comes to us through Jesus. Forgive me for trying to succeed in godly living on my own. My best isn't adequate. Help me tune into your powerful presence in my life so I can live out my faith from moment to moment. All things are possible when I'm 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.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

PROVERBS 3:34 (CEV)
The LORD sneers at those
who sneer at him,
but he is kind to everyone
who is humble.

LUKE 22:24-26 (MSG)
Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: "Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In Jesus' economy, the top dogs are those who set their egos aside to serve others.

DAILY FODDER
Servant leadership is a tough concept to embrace until we recognize that genuine service involves letting go of power to care for others — instead of pursuing power "to serve others." 

PRAYER
Jesus, you are our supreme leader, and you became that by setting aside your divine power and position to come here as a servant. Forgive us for pursuing power — thinking we're strong enough to use it for good. Save us from the corrupt mindset that pours energy into trying to control the world instead of humbly serving it. As your follower, I want to do 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.

GOD RESPONDS

PSALM 138:3 (CEB)
On the day I cried out, you answered me.
You encouraged me with inner strength.

LUKE 11:10 (CEB)
Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God responds.

DAILY FODDER
What are you asking of God today?

PRAYER
Knock, knock, God, I'm here to talk. And you are a great listener. I'm still amazed that the Divine wants to hear what I think and need. Of course, you're so relational that you know it all, anyway, but you still want to hear it from me. Forgive me for my lone-ranger tendencies. Remind me to include you in on the conversations—big and small—because you're the one who provides. 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.

LIMITED KNOWLEDGE

JOB 40:3-5 (MSG)
Job answered:
   “I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me.
      I should never have opened my mouth!
   I’ve talked too much, way too much.
      I’m ready to shut up and listen.”

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 (CEB)
Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Since our current knowledge is incomplete it would behove us to talk less and listen more to what God is saying?

DAILY FODDER
What generally happens when we talk more than we listen? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for revealing enough of yourself and your will that we can trust you. You already know that I know less than I think I do. Help me to live humbly in the face of this reality. It's only as we acknowledge our limitations that our knowledge matures. I'm looking forward to hearing more of what Christ Jesus says. 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.