ABIDING LOVE

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

HOSEA 6:4 (CEV)
Your love for me disappears
more quickly than mist
or dew at sunrise.

JOHN 15:9 (NRSVUE)
Jesus: "Abide in my love."

THE ESSENCE
The kind of love that gets Jesus' attention is lasting love, because it is rooted in his love.

DAILY FODDER
So much of what we think of as "love" is closely akin to adolescent infatuation — affection felt strongly but briefly — until someone else grabs our attention. In contrast, Jesus is nurturing abiding love in his people. That is, the strength of it emerges over time. It is day after day after day of seeking to do his will, even on the days when we don't feel it as strongly. Indeed, it is making yourself at home in it. Perhaps we might use the metaphor of marriage (Jesus does!). Love is a healthy longterm relationship that only starts to really glow with time. The reason this works is that even when we're flaky, Jesus' love remains steady or abiding.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your abiding love. My affections toggle between hot and cold, but your love remains steady. Help me to lean into your unwavering affection and care, so that I grow in consistency. I'm wanting to develop love that has more to it than morning dew, the kind of love that would go to the cross. 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.

LEAPING FOR JOY

PSALM 92:4 (GNT)
Your mighty deeds, O LORD, make me glad;
because of what you have done, I sing for joy.

ACTS 3:8 (CEB)
Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.

THE ESSENCE
The incredible things God does release joy.

DAILY FODDER
Put yourself in the shoes of the crippled man God healed through Peter and John in Acts 3. Imagine the wave of emotion rolling over you as you realize that your legs have been restored. What will you do? How quickly will you be on your feet dancing? 

PRAYER
Loving Lord, my heart leaps for joy. You bless me in so many ways. You are always with me and for me. Your Spirit helps me grow in strength, grace, truth, and love. I see the works of your hands everywhere in the wonders of creation. May my joy lead to actions that bring praise and glory to 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.

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.