THRILLING

ISAIAH 55:12 (ABP)
   God is going to turn things around so that you'll be celebrating peace.

LUKE 10:17, 20 (CEB)
   The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.”
   Jesus said, "Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven."

THE ESSENCE 
When we follow God's leading we discover moments of celebration. 

DAILY FODDER
In the Luke account of the disciples returning from a successful mission trip, what is the point?—that they succesfully followed Jesus' instructions and saw Jesus-like results or that they got caught up in celebrating? 

PRAYER 
Almighty God, we're grateful that you include us in both your mission and your celebrations. Help me to keep these thrilling moments in perspective because it's so easy to make them about me. I'm going to stay focused on celebrating your mercy and grace. 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.

DIVINE HEALING

PSALM 116:8 (CEB)
You, God, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my foot from stumbling...

LUKE 8:43-44 (CEB)
A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had spent her entire livelihood on doctors, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of his clothes, and at once her bleeding stopped.

THE ESSENCE
God's healing flows through Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think divine healing is so rare today? Or is it? How do you help others experience God's healing through Jesus?

PRAYER 
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see my need for Jesus and draw me into his presence. Forgive me, Lord, for turning to everything and everyone else for help. I need to lay out my problems and issues before you. By your power, stop the bleeding of my own self-sufficiency and help me to point others 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.

DOCTOR JESUS

JEREMIAH 30:12, 17 (CEB)
This is what the LORD says:
Your injury is incurable;
your illness is grave...
I will restore your health,
and I will heal your wounds...

1 JOHN 3:5-6 (MSG)
Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.

THE ESSENCE
Christ addresses the underlying illness that drags us all down. 

DAILY FODDER
Which sentence in 1 John 3:5-6 is the most controversial to the modern mind? Why so?  

PRAYER 
Christ Jesus, you are the uniquely qualified doctor who brings healing to the creation and to our souls. Forgive my pessimism. I get frustrated when I see the growing pandemic of sin in the world and I fear for how it might affect me. Help me to lean into the healing and restoration that we experience when we are in solidarity with you. Instead of the pain around me, I'm going to focus on you and the hope that is ours through your healing. 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.

ETERNALLY CONSISTENT

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

DANIEL 7:14 (GNT)
His authority would last forever, and his kingdom would never end.

HEBREWS 13:8 (GNT)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to rule because his authority is eternally consistent.

DAILY FODDER
As our temporal leaders demand more and more allegiance, their flakiness becomes more and more apparent. They are unqualified to lead. Jesus, on the other hand, is eternally consistent, drawing us into a reality that challenges the current world system. For whom will you direct your energy?

PRAYER 
Christ Jesus, leaders come and go, but you remain the same, proving that you alone are worthy of our allegiance. Forgive us for getting so sucked into the drama where temporal leaders vie for attention. Show me how to wisely look past them and pour my energy into serving you. This is an opportunity to have an eternal impact. 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.