CARING FOR THE POOR AND MARGINALIZED

PROVERBS 29:7 (NLT)
The godly care about the rights of the poor;
the wicked don’t care at all.

LUKE 18:22 (GNT)
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one more thing you need to do. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.”

THE ESSENCE
Because God cares about the poor, truly godly people care for them, too.

DAILY FODDER
The question then becomes, "Practically speaking, what does the care of the poor look like?" Apart from a few generalizations, it's difficult to say. Poverty is such a messy business that it takes great wisdom to sort through the do's and don'ts of every context. The constant is maintaining a strong connection to Jesus so his indwelling Spirit can guide us through it all. If we've stopped caring about the poor the chances are high that we're not really in sync with Jesus. 

PRAYER
Merciful God, you look kindly on the poor. That's just the way you are. But it's not naturally how we are. We need some reprogramming and that only comes through proximity to Jesus. Keep me close and gently open my eyes to the poor in my world. My goal is to allow you to reshape my life so that I care for all the people you care about. 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.

CREATIVE

ISAIAH 48:13 (GNT)
My hands made the earth's foundations
and spread the heavens out.
When I summon earth and sky,
they come at once and present themselves.

REVELATION 4:11 (GNT)
“Our Lord and God! You are worthy
to receive glory, honor, and power.
For you created all things,
and by your will they were given existence and life.”

THE ESSENCE
God, the Creator, is worthy of our attention and honor. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is the Creator more worthy of our attention and honor than any other being? How do you carry out your assignment to give him attention and honor? 

PRAYER
Your creative power, God, overflows in all things you have made. I ask one thing from you — create in me a clean heart. Help me to live as one of your grateful creatures, dependent on you alone. May my life be lived for your glory, and for the wellbeing of all. 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.

THE GIVING GOD

PSALM 37:4 (GNT)
Seek your happiness in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart's desire.

MATTHEW 7:11 (GNT)
As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

THE ESSENCE
God gives good things to those who ask of him. 

DAILY FODDER
What is one good thing that you are asking God for? How do you know it is good? How soon do you think you need it? 

PRAYER
Holy One, you teach me what I should desire. Set me free from wanting those things that I see others desiring. Move my heart, Lord, to seek the things above: truth, justice, and compassion. All these bring your peace and joy to my life. 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.

GET READY

JUDGES 10:10 (MSG)
The People of Israel cried out to God for help: “We’ve sinned against you! We left our God and worshiped the Baal gods!”

MATTHEW 3:2 (ABP)
John the Baptizer's message was to the point: “Change how you think and live so you can fit into God’s heavenly kingdom, which is just around the corner.”

THE ESSENCE
The arrival of God's Kingdom is impending, so we need to get our lives ready and queue up.

DAILY FODDER
How does one get ready for God's Kingdom? Start living according to the ways of that kingdom rather than the existening kingdom order. Practically speaking, what does that look like?

PRAYER
Awesome God, the arrival of your new world order is exciting. I confess, though, that I'm not ready for the transition. I'm still too tied to the old order and all its associated values. Help me make the transition before it's too late. I want to be 100% ready for the Kingdom of Heaven. 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.