USELESS GOD TALK

PSALM 50:16-17 (MSG)
Next, God calls up the wicked:
   "What are you up to, quoting my laws,
   talking like we are good friends?
   You never answer the door when I call;
   you treat my words like garbage..."

MATTHEW 7:21 (NCV)
Not all those who say ‘You are our Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do what my Father in heaven wants.

THE ESSENCE
All our God talk is basically useless if it’s not backed up with action. 

DAILY FODDER
Agree or disgree? The most agregious evil in the world is done by people who talk about how God is on their side. 

PRAYER 
Glorious God, I'm grateful that you are communicative. Forgive us for talking like we are best friends with you while ignoring your pleas for the refugees, displaced, and hungry. We support government policies that ignore your prorities for justice and care for the poor. Help me to match my words and actions so that your kingdom can thrive even now. As you renew me I trust that many lives will be transformed through Christ, too. 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.

FULL SERVICE PROVIDER

PSALM 89:26 (CEV)
You are my Father
and my God,
as well as the mighty rock
where I am safe.

MATTHEW 6:11 (ABP)
Give us enough food for today.

THE ESSENCE
Trust God to be your full service provider. 

DAILY FODDER
We trust God for food, shelter, and relationship. Is there anything we have to do on our own?

PRAYER 
My God, you are my Father. You are my rock, my salvation, my daily bread. I praise you! So often, I turn to something else to satisfy my needs. Forgive me. Let me cling to you, for you are all-sufficient for my every need. Show me someone who needs you so I can offer you to them. 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.

GIVING GOD GLORY

ISAIAH 6:3 (CEB)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of heavenly forces!
All the earth is filled with God’s glory!”

REVELATION 14:7 (CEB)
The angel said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

THE ESSENCE
The end game is the glory of God.

DAILY FODDER
What does the angel in Revelation 14 mean when he says, "Fear God and give him glory"? What does glory look like? If that's the end game, how do we train for it now? 

PRAYER 
Almighty Creator God, you deserve all glory. I confess that I can be ho-hum about your greatest. Even though I know it as a theological reality, I rarely think or talk about it. Train me to become a serious worshipper so that on the day of the worship service at the end of time, I'll be able to keep up with everyone else as they declare your glory. I'm going to sing of your greatness and glory. 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.

BROKEN PEOPLE

JEREMIAH 8:21-22 (MSG)

We’re still waiting to be rescued.

For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken.

I weep, seized by grief.

Are there no healing ointments in Gilead?

Isn’t there a doctor in the house?

So why can’t something be done

to heal and save my dear, dear people?

LUKE 19:9-10 (MSG)
Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”

THE ESSENCE
God restores the broken who accept his healing.

DAILY FODDER
Do you think that Zacchaeus was suprised by Jesus' attention? Why?

PRAYER 
Merciful God, thank you for your attention. I'm just the kind of person who needs your mercy. I know that there is so much brokeness in my life that I'm like Humpty Dumpty — beyond repair. But despite reality you intervene for people like me. Help me experience the wholeness of your healing. I want to be amazed. 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.