IN HIS TIME

ISAIAH 49:23 (NRSV)
Then you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.

LUKE 12:11-12 (MSG)
When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't worry; God provides at just the right time. 

DAILY FODDER
What are you inclined to worry over? How does the assurance of God's timing generate hope? 

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you have arranged a time and place to deal with all of the world's woes. I know this but I still get anxious when so much evil comes flying our way all at once. Help me to stay calm during the blitz. I don't know how you are going to get things back on track. Give me a sign that you've got this so that hope overwhelms my anxiety. I can stay engaged because I know that the Spirit will give me appropriate words and that Christ makes everything right—in his time. 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.

SPEAK UP

PSALM 40:10 (ABP)
I don't keep the good news of your justice to myself.
I talk about your faithfulness and how you've used your power to save us.
I even testify of your unfailing love and faithfulness in the Great Assembly.

1 THESSALONIANS 2:2 (CEB)
We had the courage through God to speak God’s good news in spite of a lot of opposition, although we had already suffered...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We freely speak of God's good news in high and low places.

DAILY FODDER
What are the current obstacles to freely speaking of God's good news? (Hint: They can be within us or in our external circumstances.) How do we keep the obstacles from slowing us down?  

PRAYER
Great God, the story of your good news deserves a hearing. Forgive us for allowing real or imagined opposition to muffle our witness. Empower us with wisdom and courage to speak so that the good news of your ongoing salvation is accessible to all. 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.

GOD GIVEN POWER

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

ISAIAH 40:29 (NLT)
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 (NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Rely on God's power rather than using your power for him. 

DAILY FODDER
What's the biggest difference between relying on God's power and using your own?  

PRAYER
Thanks be to God that strength and sufficiency has your grace as a base. Forgive my dependence on my independence. Make my journey a cross shaped caring, not self-seeking glory. May the grace and strength you provide come to me and through me to others, as in weakness we discover our common ground and strength in Jesus. 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.

CRYING OUT TO GOD

PSALM 22:2 (CEV)
I cry out day and night,
but you don't answer,
and I can never rest.

HEBREWS 5:7 (NTFE)
During the time of Jesus’ earthly life, he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud shouts and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his devotion.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our cries to God never really fall on deaf ears. 

DAILY FODDER
If God is so attetive to our desperate cries, why do things not work out to my liking so much of the time? 

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you always hear my cries. Forgive my frustration when things don't work out as I planned. Help me to realize your salvation, even though I can't see the big picture. I'm going to trust you with my most desperate moments, knowing in faith that you do have the big picture in mind and my best interests in your heart. 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.