LIVE GENEROUSLY

JOEL 2:19 (CEB)
The LORD responded to the people:
See, I am sending you
the corn, new wine, and fresh oil,
and you will be fully satisfied by it...

MARK 6:41-42 (CEB)
He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate until they were full.

THE ESSENCE
God's responses to the needs of his people are more than adequate, reflecting his abundant generosity.

DAILY FODDER
When we're in the midst of a problem, it's not only difficult to see how God will respond to our needs but just how generous his responses actually are. Think of all those hungry people whom Jesus overfed with five loaves and two fish. How many of them were expecting that?

PRAYER
God, you are responsive and incredibly generous. Forgive us for maintaining miserly mindsets, hoarding limited resources. Fill us with divine expectation and generosity so that we can participate in the extravagant feeding of other hungry people. I want to live generously, like Jesus. 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.

STAND IN AWE

PSALM 40:5 (MSG)
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
compares to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.

MARK 2:0-12 (MSG)
Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, stunned—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

THE ESSENCE
Some of what God does is so awesome that it is beyond words.

DAILY FODDER
What is the most awe-inspiring thing you've seen God do? Is it a miracle, something under a microscope, a mountain landscape?

PRAYER
My Lord, you have done and continue to do so many wonderful things. Your love has no limit. Your power is beyond imagination. Empower me to stand firm in my faith. Inspire me to get up from my mat and share the good news. I want everyone to be amazed and glorify your name. 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.

IN OUR DESPERATION

PSALM 38:21 (ABP)
Don’t leave me stranded, GOD! I need you right here with me.

MARK 5:23 (NTFE)
“My daughter’s going to die! My daughter’s going to die!” he pleaded. “Please come—lay your hands on her—rescue her and let her live!”

THE ESSENCE
We call on God when we're desperate. 

DAILY FODDER
Is "fox hole faith" a legitimate expression of faith? Does God think less of us if we only turn to him in times of desperation? How much of the Bible, our guide for genuine faith, was written by or about desperate people?

PRAYER
Merciful and faithful God, thank you for being available to us even in our most desperate moments. Forgive us for waiting until such times to turn to you. Reassure us, though, that no matter what, we can look to you for help. I'm glad that even if my faith is imperfect, you're there for me without prejuidice. 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.

PLANNING

ISAIAH 55:8 (MSG)
“I don’t think the way you think.
The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

JAMES 4:13, 15 (GNT)
Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” ...What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

THE ESSENCE
We need to approach the planning process with a large measure of humility—recognizing that everything really hinges on what the Lord has in mind.

DAILY FODDER
Does this mean that we should avoid definitive planning? Why or why not?? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the time you've given to me and the brain to organize it. Forgive me for assuming that I have ultimate control of my circumstances and life. Grant me, please, the wisdom needed to responsibly, but loosely, plan. I'm going to walk humbly with you and trust you to guide not only my life but all of history. Only you are capable of doing that well. 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.