GOD'S STRENGTH

The Third Sunday in Eastertide

EXODUS 15:1-2 (MSG)
I’m singing my heart out to GOD—what a victory!
He pitched horse and rider into the sea.
God is my strength, GOD is my song,
and, yes! GOD is my salvation.

LUKE 1:51 (NTFE)
Powerful things he has done with his arm:
he routed the arrogant through their own cunning.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is so powerful that he can use the strength of all who oppose him against them.

DAILY FODDER
Why are you needing to rely on God's strength today?

PRAYER 
God, you are so strong that no one can oppose you and survive. Forgive me for getting anxious about how strong the evil people in this world seem to be. I pray that you rout the arrogant through their own cunning. And give me the ability to give up all my worries. You are my strength! You are my song! 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.

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

PSALM 119:36-37 (MSG)
Give me an appetite for your words of wisdom,
   and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
   invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

TITUS 2:7-8 (MSG)
But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, trustworthy in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Seek to enrich yourself with God's wise words, matched with consistetly wise living.  

DAILY FODDER
How would an objective observer describe the kind of "loot" you are piling up?

PRAYER 
Gracious God, your message is the doable and sustainable source of life, for which I'm grateful. However, I live as though I'm hedging my bets, pouring some of my energy into the pursuit of pleasurable toys and trinkets. Help me to focus all my energy on living into your word. I want to be known as a wise-living follower of 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.

FAITHFUL

JOSHUA 1:5 (NLT)
I will not fail you or abandon you.

MATTHEW 3:16 (CEB)
Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God faithfully affirms. 

DAILY FODDER
Jesus was the Son of God, already uniquely connected to the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Why did he need this display of affirmation at his baptism? How has God affirmed you?

PRAYER 
Faithful God, I bask in the knowledge that you never fail or abandon your people. I admit, though, that I have failed and abandoned you, then have wondered where you are in the midst of the chaos. Help me to recognize your hand even in my self-created chaotic moments. I know that as I turn back to you, you won't leave me hanging. 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.

HUMBLED

DANIEL 4:37 (CEB)
All his (the king of heaven) works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride.

MARK 15:39 (CEB)
When the centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "This man was certainly God’s Son..."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we face Jesus we start to grasp who he is and the implications of his identity. 

DAILY FODDER
What would you have said if you saw Jesus die on the cross?

PRAYER 
God of truth and justice, you are good. Your works are true. They are the absolute, gospel truth—the good news. Your ways are just and merciful and compassionate. Help me to walk in humility today, seeking your wisdom and strength. Remove any tendencies I have to be prideful. May my only boast be in 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.