MAKING PEACE A REALITY

ISAIAH 2:2, 4 (NLT)
In the last days... Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

HEBREWS 12:14 (ABP)
Strive to make peace a reality among all people—starting with yourself and those around you. This is a part of living a unique holy life dedicated to the Lord. There is no other way to see him.

THE ESSENCE
Strive to make peace a reality.  

DAILY FODDER
Peace doesn't seem realistic in our world. Regardless of how things appear,  our assignment as followers of Jesus is to focus on this unique pursuit—peace as defined by him during these last days.

PRAYER 
Gracious God, thank you for including us in your peace mission. You've restored humanity to yourself through the cross and resurrection. Now you want us to live this peace and restoration out in a way that everyone can see what you're up to. Forgive us for pursuing power and influence instead of peace. Restore your vision of peace among individuals and nations. I want to play a role in your peace mission, and with your driving Spirit that can happen. 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.

DEPEND ON GOD ALONE

PSALM 18:31 (CEB)
Now really, who is divine except the Lord?
And who is a rock but our God?

2 CORINTHIANS 1:9-10 (MSG)
It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

THE ESSENCE
Depend on God alone.  

DAILY FODDER
How are the circumstances you're in right now forcing you to trust God totally? 

PRAYER 
Great Deliverer, thank you for your mighty hand. When your people were pursued by the chariots of Pharaoh, you parted the sea. When our Lord was crucified and buried, you raised him from the dead. In my conflicts today, help me to stand on your hope and rest on your promises. 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.

POWER

ZECHARIAH 4:6 (MSG)
"You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit," says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

LUKE 1:35 (MSG)
The angel answered,
   "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
   the power of the Highest hover over you;
   Therefore, the child you bring to birth
   will be called Holy, Son of God."

THE ESSENCE
God doesn't execute his plans through human power but through the force of the Holy Spirit. 

DAILY FODDER
So many of us seek power and influence to better the world. But that's not God's method of operation. Even though he has access to all power, he prefers to tackle things through his Holy Spirit.  

PRAYER 
From day one, Lord, your Spirit has been shaping creation. Forgive us for believing that with just a little more power and authority we can reshape the world according to our understanding of good. Come Spirit, come, and reshape me according to your understanding of good. I'm grateful that you sent your Son into the world through Mary. I want to be a part of your ongoing Spirit-shaped plan. So I renounce tactics that rely on force or power. 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.

THE NEEDY

 The Sixth Sunday in Eastertide

DEUTERONOMY 15:7 (NRSVUE)
Do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor.

JAMES 2:14 (CEB)
My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it?

THE ESSENCE
Genuine faith is characterized by caring for the needy.  

DAILY FODDER
When it comes to faith, saying the right words, while valuable, is inadequate.  The kind of faith recognized by God always involves caring for those who are needy.

PRAYER 
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that kindness is the greatest wisdom. Service brings the greatest joy. Melt my me-centered heart and heal my arthritic attitude. Your love is contagious. Help me be a carrier of your compassion with hands-on help for my neighbors today. 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.