THE MIRACLE-WORKING GOD

PSALM 136:3-4 (MSG)
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits.
Thank the miracle-working God,
His love never quits.

ACTS 8:6, 8 (CEB)
The crowds were united by what they heard Philip say and the signs they saw him perform, and they gave him their undivided attention... There was great rejoicing in that city.

THE ESSENCE
Expect the miracle-working God to show up.

DAILY FODDER
Notice that when Philip did miracles on behalf of God, it not only created a buzz but also a unity.

PRAYER 
Wonderous God, I'm grateful that you haven't changed but that in your love and wisdom you still do miracles appropriate to the moment. Forgive me for being small minded in assuming that things can't change because circumstances seem overwhelmingly against transformation. It will just take one word from you to move things in a new direction. Restore hope in me, and if it pleases you, Lord, allow me to be a part of the miracles you are doing. Your love never quits. 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.

MERCY

Psalm 25:16 (CEB)
Turn to me, God, and have mercy on me
because I’m alone and suffering.

Mark 10:47 (CEB)
When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!”

THE ESSENCE
God is the source of the mercy we all need.

DAILY FODDER
Why do you need mercy?

PRAYER 
Merciful Lord, I give thanks because you are my hope. My daily troubles can make me forget to turn to you. I think I am all alone. But you stop and turn to my cries.  Heal the eyes of my heart to see that you are always here. Help me to bring your mercies to others 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.

BRINGING TOGETHER MORE PEOPLE

ISAIAH 56:8 (NCV)
The Lord GOD says—
he who gathers the Israelites that were forced to leave their country:
   “I will bring together other people
   to join those who are already gathered.”

MATTHEW 24:14 (MSG)
The Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

THE ESSENCE
Good things are coming for more people as God wraps things up. 

DAILY FODDER
If God has his "chosen people" why is he determined to include others? 

PRAYER 
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you are committed to ever expanding your kingdom family. I confess, though, that I'm not so happy with some of those you want to include. They are different and challenging. Help me to adjust to your kingdom approach and radical hospitality so that I'm ready for your great wrap up. I'm going to focus on being with Jesus and welcoming all whom he welcomes. 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'S MESSAGE ACTIVATES DELIGHT

JEREMIAH 15:16 (MSG)
When your words showed up, I ate them—
swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being yours,
O GOD, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!

ACTS 8:38-39 (CEB)
He ordered that the carriage halt. Both Philip and the eunuch went down to the water, where Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit suddenly took Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

THE ESSENCE
God's message activates delight. 

DAILY FODDER
Sometimes what God says isn't the source of short-term delight but if we feast on his words the situation eventually changes. 

PRAYER 
Gracious God, thank you for your life-changing words. Forgive me for tasting without eating. Teach me how to chew and swallow your message to us. I'm going to feast on a steady diet of food from 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.