FORTUNATELY, GOD SEES

HAGGAI 1:14 (GNT)
The LORD inspired everyone to work on the Temple... of the LORD Almighty, their God...

REVELATION 2:2 (MSG)
I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit.

THE ESSENCE
God sees the work you're doing on his behalf.

DAILY FODDER
I once had an employer who never saw how hard I was working for him. He only saw my deficiencies. I quit that job. Fortunately, God is all-seeing and he notices and affirms what we're doing on his behalf (even when others don't). Since his opinion is the only one that ultimately counts, don't give up and quit.

PRAYER 
Thank you, God, for noticing even when others don't. Forgive me for seeking affirmation from sources apart from you. Recharge my sense of calling so I can move forward without wavering to do what you’ve comissioned me to do. I'm not going to quit. 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.

WE'LL SEE

PSALM 44:26 (MSG)
Get up and come to our rescue.
If you love us so much, Help us!

1 PETER 5:10-11 (MSG)
The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

THE ESSENCE
Even though we face some great challenges, by the end, we'll see how much God actually loves us.

DAILY FODDER
It's so tempting to interpret difficult times as a sign that God isn't interested in us. To the contrary, though, he uses those difficulties to establish us in the good spot where we can see how much he cares.

PRAYER 
Loving God, thank you for looking out for us. I confess that I get frustrated and wonder where you are in the midst of the chaos I'm enduring. Help me! Show me what's up with all of this. I'm going to act in faith and trust that you'll eventually blow the storm clouds away and that the place where I'm standing will be one of beauty—a place where I can see the breadth of your great love. 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.

RESCUE

PSALM 119:94 (NCV)
I am yours. Save me.
I want to obey your orders.

ACTS 12:7 (CEB)
Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell. After nudging Peter on his side to awaken him, the angel raised him up and said, “Quick! Get up!” The chains fell from his wrists.

THE ESSENCE
We can confidently expect God to rescue us.

DAILY FODDER
God's rescue always comes but rarely in the way we expect it. His freedom goes deeper than the chaims we're dealing with at any given moment.

PRAYER 
God of freedom, your goodness is revealed in your grace. Loosen the chains that bind me. Help me let go of the shackles of hate and prejudice. Help me to remember that I am marked with the cross of Christ. As one who belongs to you, let me live in the freedom of your word.  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.

STRANGERS

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 146:9 (MSG)
GOD loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows...

HEBREWS 13:12 (NRSVUE)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

THE ESSENCE
God advocates for strangers (aliens, foreigners). We need to be on the same page with him. 

DAILY FODDER
Why are foreigners so often the subjects of abuse, even today? How does the individual believer side with such people?  

PRAYER 
Gracious God, thank you for siding with marginalized people such as the poor and the immigrant. I confess that I'm not as sensitive to the needs of these people as I'm called to be. It's so easy to think that some agency is dealing with their issues. Show me how to intervene on their behalf — even when it’s an unpopular thing to do. Christ died and rose for all of us. 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.