FLIPPING EVIL

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 50:20 (CEB)
You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it...

Luke 6:28 (CEB)
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.

SUMMARY
God wants you to join him in his  business of flipping evil into good. 

DAILY FODDER
Praying for those who mistreat you implies a measure of preemptive forgiveness.

PRAYER
Gracious God, your ways are so different from anything that happens in this world apart from you. In our "wisdom" we're so set on keeping our enemies as enemies. But you're bent on dismantling our pride motivated system. I not only need your forgivenss, which I now realize you've already given, but I need your help in getting on board with your approach. I'm going to extend the same grace that you've given to me. 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.

JESUS MAKES PEACE

LEVITICUS 10:3 (MSG)
Moses said to Aaron, “This is what God meant when he said,
   To the one who comes near me,
      I will show myself holy;
   Before all the people,
      I will show my glory.”

ROMANS 5:1 (CEB)
Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

SUMMARY
Jesus makes the way for us to be with God in peace. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do we need someone to make peace with God for us? Why can't we each make our own peace with God?

PRAYER
Holy God, what a privelege it is to be ushered into your presence by your faithful Son, Jesus the Christ. There is nothing about me that warrants such an honor. Forgive me for my casual state. But you know what I'm like and you do it anyway. You never cease to amaze me. I want to help others discover your peace. 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.

AN ECONOMY OF FORGIVENESS

PSALM 130:4 (MSG)
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that’s why you’re worshiped.

LUKE 23:34 (CEB)
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

SUMMARY
According to God's economy, abundant forgiveness makes this place liveable.

DAILY FODDER
Why do we find forgiveness such a challenge? How do we switch over to an economy built on forgiveness?

PRAYER
Gracious God, your economy predicated on radical forgiveness doesn't make sense in our economy. It's disruptive and unpredictable. I confess that I think first of all the negative things that will happen if we keep letting sinful people off the hook. (I say that knowing full well, you've accommodated my sinfulness through the sacrifice of Jesus.) Help me to grasp your greater picture thinking, where resurrection overshadows the sins of all. I want to embrace a lifestyle of grace and forgiveness because I know that's the direction things are going as you fully establish your 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.

RESURRECTION POWER

EZEKIEL 37:11-12 (NLT)
They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again.'

1 CORINTHIANS 15:42-44 (CEB)
It’s the same with the resurrection of the dead: a rotting body is put into the ground, but what is raised won’t ever decay. It’s degraded when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised in glory. It’s weak when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised in power. It’s a physical body when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised as a spiritual body.

SUMMARY
When God renews creation, he doesn't simply toss out the old and start over again. Rather he transforms the old into something new and improved.

DAILY FODDER
What about you is most in need of transformation today?

PRAYER
Lord of the living, how beautiful are your promises about the life to come! Forgive me for wandering into places of desolation and lingering in the graveyards of negative, hopeless thinking. Pull me out of that negativity, Lord! Set my eyes upon your promises that I may live more for eternity and help others to seek and find 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.