GLOBAL PHENOMENON

ZECHARIAH 6:15 (MSG)
People will come from faraway places to pitch in and rebuild the Temple of GOD.

REVELATION 15:4 (MSG)
Because you and you only are holy,
all nations will come and worship you,
because they see your judgments are right.

THE ESSENCE
People from all over the world are drawn to Jesus and his profound approach to mercy and justice. 

DAILY FODDER
What are you doing now to acknowledge that Jesus and his approach is a global phenomenon? 

PRAYER 
Lord of all nations, I praise your holy name. You also reign in the hearts of those who seem so far off to me, and I confess that I reduce you to fit prejudices I hold against my neighbors. Reveal your merciful judgments. Let me come to worship before you, along with the others that you love. 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.

TRUST GOD

PROVERBS 3:5-6 (MSG)
Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.

JOHN 21:18 (NLT)
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go."

THE ESSENCE
Wise up and trust God; you don't have as much control over your life as you like to think. 

DAILY FODDER
What has already happened in your life that suggests you don't have as much control as you'd like and that you just have to trust the Lord to lead you? 

PRAYER 
Holy Spirit, thank you that I am not traveling solo on this lifelong path of twists and turns. I am sorry when I rely on my own dead reckoning. You are always there, clearing my road and turning my heart. Help me to stretch out my hands before you in humble surrender. Become my way and my trust 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.

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.