THE HEART

1 KINGS 8:39 (CEB)
   You alone know the human heart.

JOHN 1:47-48 (CEB)
   Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
   Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”

THE ESSENCE
God alone knows what makes us tick and the integrity of our souls. 

DAILY FODDER
In the Bible, the heart represents the inner self, the seat of our emotions, intellect, and will. It's the source of our thoughts, affections, and decisions, the core of who we are—the central processing unit of a person's life. Only God has full access to someone's heart monitor. So, when Jesus declared Nathaniel "a genuine Israelite," he was not only making a statement about Nathaniel, he was revealing his own divine access to Nathaniel's heart monitor.

PRAYER 
Glorious God, you understand more about me than I'll ever understand about myself. Forgive me for pretending I understand myself or that I'm capable of making all my own decisions apart from you. Continue to transform my heart. I'd love to have you someday pronounce me as "genuine." 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.

MISFITS

JEREMIAH 31:8 (NLT)
For I will bring them from the north
and from the distant corners of the earth.
I will not forget the blind and lame,
the expectant mothers and women in labor.
A great company will return!

LUKE 14:21 (MSG)
He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and down-and-out you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’

THE ESSENCE
God's invitation includes the least fit. 

DAILY FODDER
Have you responded to God's invitation?

PRAYER 
Merciful God, thank you for including misfits in your plans. Forgive me for assuming I have to be a little more fit to secure a place at your table. Save me from such assumptions about myself and others. I want to be among those so secure in my place with you that I'm  able to go to the streets and alleys to extend your invitation. 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.

CARING

PSALM 74:21 (CEV)

Don't disappoint those in need

or make them turn from you,

but help the poor and homeless

to shout your praises.

MATTHEW 15:25-28 (CEV)
   The woman came closer. Then she knelt down and begged, “Please help me, Lord!”
   Jesus replied, “It isn't right to take food away from children and feed it to dogs.”
   “Lord, this is true,” the woman said, “but even puppies get the crumbs that fall from their owner's table.”
   Jesus answered, “Dear woman, you really do have a lot of faith, and you will be given what you want.” At that moment her daughter was healed.

THE ESSENCE
In Jesus' economy the poor and needy are cared for. 

DAILY FODDER
   In the Matthew passage a Cananite woman with a demon-possesed daughter sought Jesus' help. His disciples tried to talk Jesus into turning her away. At first it appears that he was following their advice but he engages her in a conversation that provided an opportunity for the mother to demonstrate faith. She doesn't disappoint, and neither does Jesus—unless you happened to be a reader who wanted to send all the foreigners away.
   How do you think the needy mother responded to Jesus' declaration? How do you think the disciples responded? How about the religious establishment?

PRAYER 
Lord, forgive my blinding privilege. Open my ears and eyes to recognize the Canaanite calls that surround me everyday. You have blessed me with bounty. Help me to let go of my fear of letting go. Crumble my pride so that I will nourish the hungry. 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.

DOUBT

ZEPHANIAH 3:16-17 (NLT)
Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.

JUDE 1:22 (CEB)
Have mercy on those who doubt.

THE ESSENCE
Don't jump all over those who are struggling with doubts. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think Jude felt compelled to remind the believers of his day to cut the doubters some slack? What was going on? 

PRAYER 
With trembling limbs, I go into this shaky world. Give me a place where I may stand, O Lord, to find my balance in you. Then I will walk by faith with confidence and trust. In fact, I believe I will begin dancing with your rhythm in my rediscovered Zion foundation. 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.