DIVINE POWER

The Third Sunday after Epiphany

JEREMIAH 27:5 (ABP)
I created the world by my great power — including all the people and animals. I get to choose who will have the power to rule over my creation.

ROMANS 1:20 (NTFE)
There are, of course, things about God which you can’t see, namely, his eternal power and deity. But, ever since the world was created, they have been known and seen in the things he has made.

THE ESSENCE
Since God is the source, he gets to decide who will have power.

DAILY FODDER
One of the great mysteries is that so many people who have values diametrically opposed to God, seem to have so much power in the world where he's the one deciding who gets power. Why might this be?

PRAYER
Creator God, the wonders of creation reveal your eternal power and divine nature. Your beauty and majesty are in the sky. You are in the diversity of plant and animal life. I see you in the unique face and personality of each person I meet. And when I look inward, I feel blessed that you are in my heart. 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.

COMMUNITY

JEREMIAH 30:20 (NRSVUE)
Their congregation shall be established before me...

EPHESIANS 2:20 (CEB)
As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

THE ESSENCE
God has established his community/household through Christ Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think that when God wants to transform the world he invests his energy into forming communities of faith and doesn't just make faith a matter of personal connection with him? Wouldn’t it be simpler if we didn't have to deal with the church, and faith could just be a personal thing between you and God? What is God thinking?

PRAYER
You, Christ Jesus, are the cornerstone of the Church. Thank you for building a solid foundation on the ancient apostles and prophets. Forgive us for living as though everything starts with us and our experence of the gospel. Yes, those things are important but show us how to further form our faith on the foundation you have established. I'm beginning to understand that my place in this community that transcends time and place, is really important. 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.

KING JESUS

EXODUS 15:18 (ABP)
The reign of GOD the King will be without end.

LUKE 1:33 (CEB)
He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.

THE ESSENCE
The scriptures want us to recognize that Jesus is the forever king and that his kingdom has no end. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the implications of recognizing Jesus as the ultimate king? How does this impact the way that we relate to the temporal authorities of the world? Is he currently reigning as king or is this a yet to be fulfilled promise? 

PRAYER
Holy God, you rule forever and ever, Amen. Forgive me for living as though your kingdom is entirely future, and for making ungodly alliances with the rogue power-hungry regimes functioning in the world today. Help me to raise high the banner of King Jesus through the way I live and speak. I am an ambassador of your unending righteous and just kingdom. 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.

UNITED WITH AND THROUGH CHRIST JESUS

PSALM 107:3, 8 (ABP)
Let those who GOD has gathered from their countries of exile — from the east and west, north and south — praise him for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for all people.

EPHESIANS 2:12-13 (NLT)
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

THE ESSENCE
As we are united with Christ Jesus we settle into our true home with God.  

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how is someone united with Christ Jesus? You might want to read the rest of Ephesians 2 to find out. 

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for sending Christ Jesus into our world to unite us with you. This is a true gift beyond our abilities as sinful mortals. Show me how to live in solidarity with you so that your ways become my ways. I'm looking forward to the time when all of Jesus' followers — all who have allowed his life, death, and resurrection to transform their lives — will gather to praise you for your great love and all the wonderful things you've  done for everyone. 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.