MAINTAIN THE DIVINE COURSE

Creation Day

JOSHUA 23:8 (ABP)
Hold on tightly to GOD, just as you've done up until now.

HEBREWS 10:25 (MSG)
Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

THE ESSENCE
Maintain the divine course.

DAILY FODDER
Difficult times can either tempt us to panic and relax our grip on God's hand or to squeeze it even more tightly. 

PRAYER 
Steadfast Lord, thanks for holding fast to me. Often, I turn my attention away from you and forget about my fellow believers. Keep me aware of the gift of worship and my need for fellowship. I want to be faithful to you and encouraging to others until that day when we are all joined in eternal praise of you. 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.

DIVINE ACCESS

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 2:12 (ABP)
All who turn to GOD for protection give him five stars.

EPHESIANS 3:12 (ABP)
Because of our faith-driven solidarity with Christ we boldly show up in the presence of God whenever we want.

THE ESSENCE
Through Christ we have unprecedented access to God.

DAILY FODDER
We have access to God and can turn to him for whatever. How are you using this privelege? 

PRAYER 
Thank you, God, for your open door policy as established by Christ Jesus. Forgive my failure to take advantage of this privilege. Keep me mindul of the access and audience we have with you. This is a life-changing gift. 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 HEALS

ISAIAH 38:16 (GNT)
Lord, I will live for you, for you alone;
Heal me and let me live.

ACTS 28:8 (GNT)
Publius' father was in bed, sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went into his room, prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him.

THE ESSENCE
God heals.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever seen someone healed after praying for them? Who should you be praying for today?

PRAYER 
Great healer, thank you for your restorative power to cure. I am humbled that you chose me as your minister, through whom others can be healed by my prayers. Like Paul, I pray earnestly for those who are sick. Bring to my mind those who need prayers of physical, mental, or spiritual healing. I lift them up to you. 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.

LORD OVER CREATION

ISAIAH 37:16 (CEB)
Lord of heavenly forces... You alone are God over all the earth’s kingdoms. You made both heaven and earth.

JOHN 1:3 (MSG)
Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is God over all creation and all that happens within it. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the personal implications of Jesus' dominion over the created order?  

PRAYER 
Lord Jesus Christ, you were involved in every aspect of creation. Nothing came into being apart from you. I confess that I sometimes believe the hype that the world is spinning out of control. Help me to trust you, even though there are a lot of terrible things happening in the world you created.  I'm going to allow the beauty of creation to recharge my faith in 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.