FREEING CREATION

PSALM 145:9 (NLT)
The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.

ROMANS 8:21 (NRSVUE)
The creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

THE ESSENCE
God is in the business of restoring all of his creation.

DAILY FODDER
Why not just save the people?

PRAYER 
Creator God, thank you for your ongoing interaction and plan for all of creation. You didn't just wind the universe up like an old-fashioned clock, stepping away to watch from a distance. You care. You're involved. And it's not just for the sake of the humans, but the package. I confess that I've spent too much of my life identifying with the factions of existence that are voluntarily enslaved to the world's decaying condition. I make poor choices, and I don't honor Christ, who came to initiate the new creation. Readjust my mindset so that I can take into account the ecology of your salvation. The fingers of your salvation are many, extending into areas of which I'm unaware. 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 DIRECTION

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

EXODUS 13:21 (NCV)
The Lord showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light.

JOHN 5:39 (MSG)
You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!

THE ESSENCE
Over the years God has guided his people in unique ways. But don't miss the fact that ultimately all the direction has been pointing to Jesus, the source of life.

DAILY FODDER
If God's direction all points to Jesus, what does it tell you about the guidance you're seeking for your life right now?

PRAYER 
Glorious God, I'm grateful that you have been pointing the way forward. Forgive me for failing to notice how all your direction is guiding me to Jesus. Help me to notice and respond to the role of Jesus in shaping my life. I want to live a Jesus-obsessed life. Lead me that direction. 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 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.