IN THE BEST OF HANDS

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

2 CHRONICLES 25:8 (NCB)
Remember that God has the power to help you or to cause your defeat.

MATTHEW 10:29, 31 (GNT)
For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent... So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!

THE ESSENCE
God has the power to make or break you. Fortunately, you're incredibly valuable to him. 

DAILY FODDER
If we're so valuable to God, and he is so powerful, why is it that sometimes people break? 

PRAYER
God, I take comfort in Jesus' declaration that people are valuable. I confess, though, that sometimes I'm afaid because I've seen so many people crash and burn. I'm not sure that I'm so different. Help me to relax in your love and to realize that even if I "crash and burn" I'll still be alright in the overall scheme of things. I realize that you are in charge and that because of Christ I am in the best of hands. 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.

FREED!

EXODUS 20:2 (NLT)
I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

GALATIANS 5:13 (MSG)
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.

THE ESSENCE
Through Christ, we're freed from serving the powers and impulses of evil so that we can lovingly serve one another. 

DAILY FODDER
Notice that in Christ, one form of slavery is replaced with another form of slavery. The irony, of course, is that we find freedom in the type of slavery associated with Christ Jesus. 

PRAYER
What a miracle that you, God, call me to rise up to live as your free child! Discipline me in the way I should live through love. Father, guide me by the liberating Spirit of Christ, to free me from slavery to myself. Help me to be enslaved to my neighbor in love. What a calling! What a Savior! 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 CANE

PSALM 37:23-24 (CEB)

A person’s steps are made secure by the Lord

when they delight in his way.

Though they trip up, they won’t be thrown down,

because the Lord holds their hand.

MATTHEW 14:30-31 (CEB)
   But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!”
   Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?”

THE ESSENCE
When we're walking with the Lord we can count on him to secure our steps.  

DAILY FODDER
As I've aged I have become aware of how prone I am to mis-step. So, I walk with a cane, which has become a true companion and has numerous times saved me from falling. Think of the Lord as the spiritual equivalent of a cane. When we walk with him he guards our balance and facilitates recovery on the occasions when we mis-step. I don't go anywhere without my cane, even though I might be okay for awhile. But it’s not worth the risk.

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for steadying me when I lose my balance or slip. Forgive me for thinking that I'm so healthy that I don't need a cane. Guide my steps so I can live a new day. I'm not embarrassed that I can't make it on my own. 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.

THROUGH HIS SUFFERING

ISAIAH 53:5 (MSG)
Through his bruises we get healed.

ROMANS 4:25 (GNT)
Because of our sins he was given over to die, and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God.

THE ESSENCE
Through Jesus' suffering we experience forgiveness, healing, and relational restoration with God.  

DAILY FODDER
There is no need to try and prove your worthiness to God. He has already through his sacrifice, done everything that needs doing. Our role is to embrace him and own for ourselves the gifts he gives.  

PRAYER
Good and gracious Lord, you were broken and bruised for sinners like me. Forgive me when I think people owe me for loving and forgiving them.  Burst the limits of my love, O Lord. I want your everlasting light to overcome any darkness that is created by guilt and shame. Let me bring forgivin' livin' wherever you lead me. 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.