SERVANT LEADERSHIP

PROVERBS 3:34 (CEV)
The LORD sneers at those
who sneer at him,
but he is kind to everyone
who is humble.

LUKE 22:24-26 (MSG)
Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: "Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In Jesus' economy, the top dogs are those who set their egos aside to serve others.

DAILY FODDER
Servant leadership is a tough concept to embrace until we recognize that genuine service involves letting go of power to care for others — instead of pursuing power "to serve others." 

PRAYER
Jesus, you are our supreme leader, and you became that by setting aside your divine power and position to come here as a servant. Forgive us for pursuing power — thinking we're strong enough to use it for good. Save us from the corrupt mindset that pours energy into trying to control the world instead of humbly serving it. As your follower, I want to do things your way. 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 RESPONDS

PSALM 138:3 (CEB)
On the day I cried out, you answered me.
You encouraged me with inner strength.

LUKE 11:10 (CEB)
Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God responds.

DAILY FODDER
What are you asking of God today?

PRAYER
Knock, knock, God, I'm here to talk. And you are a great listener. I'm still amazed that the Divine wants to hear what I think and need. Of course, you're so relational that you know it all, anyway, but you still want to hear it from me. Forgive me for my lone-ranger tendencies. Remind me to include you in on the conversations—big and small—because you're the one who provides. 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.

LIMITED KNOWLEDGE

JOB 40:3-5 (MSG)
Job answered:
   “I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me.
      I should never have opened my mouth!
   I’ve talked too much, way too much.
      I’m ready to shut up and listen.”

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 (CEB)
Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Since our current knowledge is incomplete it would behove us to talk less and listen more to what God is saying?

DAILY FODDER
What generally happens when we talk more than we listen? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for revealing enough of yourself and your will that we can trust you. You already know that I know less than I think I do. Help me to live humbly in the face of this reality. It's only as we acknowledge our limitations that our knowledge matures. I'm looking forward to hearing more of what Christ Jesus says. 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.

TRUSTWORTHY

JEREMIAH 16:19 (CEV)
Our LORD, you are the one
who gives me strength
and protects me like a fortress
when I am in trouble.

2 TIMOTHY 1:12 (MSG)
I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord is trustworthy in all things.

DAILY FODDER
What is making you feel vulnerable now? How do you go about entrusting that issue to the Lord? 

PRAYER
God, my refuge and fortress, your presence surrounds me. When troubles are overwhelming, I regret that I often fall into old habits of worries and fear. Forgive me, Lord. You gifted me with life—body, mind, and spirit. I am convinced that you will also protect that life to the end. I can trust you forever. 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.