GRACE

PSALM 18:19 (CEV)
When I was fenced in,
you freed and rescued me
because you love me.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 (CEV)
God treated me with undeserved grace! He made me what I am, and his grace wasn't wasted.

THE ESSENCE
We live and breathe is a place called grace.

DAILY FODDER
Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don't get what you deserve. Grace is when you get something undeserved.  

PRAYER 
Gracious God, I'm grateful that you've brought me to this place in life where I am experiencing far more than I deserve. Even the fact that I can talk to you is a matter of grace. Teach me to lean into that grace for everything in this life and the life to come. I'm trusting in what Jesus has done through his life, sacrifice, and resurrection to change me for the good. 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.

FORMATION FOR MINISTRY

PSALM 119:67 (MSG)
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
but now I’m in step with your Word.

JOHN 21:16 (NLT)
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus gently corrects us so that we can participate in his mission.

DAILY FODDER
Experience the discipline you're undergoing as an act of love that develops character necessary to fulfill your calling.

PRAYER 
Thank you, Jesus, for entrusting me with the care of vulnurable people. I confess that sometimes I pushback against the discipline I'm going through. Help me appreciate the value of both my calling and training. I know that I love you, and because you ask, I want to feed your sheep. 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.

JESUS IS LORD

ISAIAH 57:19 (MSG)
"Peace to the far-off, peace to the near-at-hand," says God—
"and yes, I will heal them."

ACTS 10:36 (CEB)
This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!

THE ESSENCE
Once Jesus is acknowledged as Lord over all there will be peace for all. 

DAILY FODDER
What do we mean when we say that Jesus is Lord over all? How does this generate peace?

PRAYER 
Christ, I'm thankful that I can acknowledge your lordship over my life and all creation. Forgive me for acting as though this is a distant unrealized reality. Turn my life into a gentle megaphone proclaiming that "Jesus is Lord over all." I'm confident that as this reality takes root things will change and peace with global healing will prevail. 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.

NAMED

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 14:9 (CEB)
You are in our midst, LORD;
we are called by your name.
Don’t give up on us.

ACTS 11:26 (CEB)
It was in Antioch where the disciples were first labeled “Christians.”

THE ESSENCE
Our identity is in our name, Christian. 

DAILY FODDER
How obvious is it that you bear the name "Christian"?

PRAYER 
Christ Jesus, I am grateful to bear the name Christian. Pardon me when I fail to reflect your grace to those I meet. I need to be reminded that others may glimpse you in the way I live. Named and claimed as your own, I want to let my light shine before others so your name is glorified. 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.