TEARS

JEREMIAH 31:9 (TCEB)
They’ll come home with tears.
I’ll lead them home with compassion,
Alongside singing brooks of water,
And on straight trails, easy on the feet.

HEBREWS 5:7 (NLT)
While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

THE ESSENCE
Sometimes tears accompany salvation. 

DAILY FODDER
IOW, when God acts, sometimes the gamut of emotions kick in. And that's okay because God's healing involves the whole person.

PRAYER
God, gracious Father, you sent Jesus to walk on earthly paths, fully human. He is my companion, leading me and listening. Forgive me for asking shyly what I hope. You are not put off by cries and tears. You comfort me and pardon my failures. Your saving presence and fatherly love make us all family — the whole human race. 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.

GOD’S GLORY

NUMBERS 6:26 (ABP)
Might GOD lift up his head, and through the look on his glorious face send you his peace.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 (NLT)
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

THE ESSENCE
We encounter God's glory through the face of Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
What exactly is God's glory? Why is it important to look at it?   

PRAYER
God of light, thank you for shining into my heart. I tend to strain my eyes into the darkness when Jesus' face has all the light I need. Even more, that light is all love. Lord, bring your peace today to someone who walks in darkness. Let me reflect Jesus, the light of my life. 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.

REST AND RECHARGE

PSALM 68:19 (ABP)
Praise the Lord, who carries us day after day after day!

MATTHEW 11:28 (ABP)
Jesus: "Let's get away from all this — the guilt and shame, the indescribable struggles, the overwhelming stress. I'll give you the rest and restoration you need."

THE ESSENCE
Allow Jesus to take you to a place of rest and recharge.

DAILY FODDER
What are the three things most weighing on you now? 

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for carrying me through another day and night. I know that I sound like a broken record but I'm feeling overwhelmed. I suspect it's because I'm trying to carry it all myself. Show me how to release the burdens. I'm going to allow you to give me rest so that I'm recharged for what's coming. 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.

CONSISTENT

The 5th Sunday in Eastertide

JUDGES 6:17 (CEB)
Then Gideon said to him, "If I’ve gained your approval, please show me a sign that it’s really you speaking with me."

JOHN 3:2 (NCV)
One night Nicodemus came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we know you are a teacher sent from God, because no one can do the miracles you do unless God is with him.”

THE ESSENCE
The things Jesus did backed up the claims he made. He's believable.

DAILY FODDER
Nicodemus is an impresive figure because he noticed what Jesus was doing, figured out what it meant, went to Jesus for clarity, and ultimately aligned himself with Jesus — even when that meant going against his own group.

PRAYER
Jesus, I honor you for the consistency between your words and your actions. No one is as together as you. Forgive us for lining up behind the masters of hubris in our world. Show us how to change our minds and put ourselves 100% behind you. Apart from your mercy and the ongoing action of the Holy Spirit, that's not possible. Even that is a miracle that draws me closer to 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.