SAYING LESS

ECCLESIASTES 5:2 (MSG)
Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.

MATTHEW 6:8 (MSG)
Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.

THE ESSENCE
Fast talking gets you nowhere with God.

DAILY FODDER
A 19th-century poet, Mary Ann Pietzker, encouraged us to ask three questions before speaking:

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Is it necessary?

These words were intended to guide us in our discourse with other people, but I wonder if we might not use this wisdom to also guide our conversations with God. It could be good for our own spiritual health to say less.

PRAYER
Thank you for your word, which is a firm foundation in shaping my prayers and worship before you. Your Spirit is helping me in my weakness as I pray for your guidance. I'm sorry I speak out of turn without thinking. Watch the door of my lips to measure my words. Keep me grounded in your love and grace. 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.

REFLECTING COMPASSION

ZECHARIAH 7:10 (GNT)
Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need.

MATTHEW 25:34-35 (CEB)
Then the king will say to those on his right, "Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

THE ESSENCE
Any system under the influence of Jesus will prioritize the basic care of marginalized people.

DAILY FODDER
Wait a minute, this sounds a lot like the Daily Texts from yesterday. Indeed, some of the Matthew text is the same. But it shouldn't surprise us that this theme of caring for the poor and marginalized comes up so often. We often gloss over it when we read but this is a major recurring theme in the Bible, and a central aspect of Jesus' gospel. 

PRAYER
Compassionate God, I'm grateful that you care so deeply for hurting and marginalized people. I confess that I'm more judgmental than caring. "If they’d only do such and such they wouldn't have these problems." Deliver me from this kind of judgmental indifference. Give me a heart for the weak and vulnerable. I want to reflect your compassion through my life. 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.

COMPASSIONATE

DEUTERONOMY 10:18-19 (CEB)
The Lord enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt.

MATTHEW 25:34, 36 (CEB)
Then the king will say to those on his right, "Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began... I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear."

THE ESSENCE
Any system under the influence of Jesus will prioritize the basic care of marginalized people.

DAILY FODDER
Are there any conditions mentioned about who qualifies for care?

PRAYER
Compassionate God, thank you for looking out for us when we're weak and vulnerable. Forgive us for exalting power over compassion. Realign our priorities so that we’re eagerly caring for orphans, widows, immigrants, the hungry, the under-clothed — all who are without. I know that these are your priorities and of your work among us. I know that you reward compassion above all other forms of success. 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.

SHIELD

DEUTERONOMY 32:10 (NLT)
He surrounded them and watched over them;
he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes.

ROMANS 8:38-39 (MSG)
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus wraps us in his protective hug. 

DAILY FODDER
From what do you need Jesus to shield you?

PRAYER
Lord, you shield me with your righteous hand, keeping me from the powers that could separate me from you. Thank you for watching over me with such focus. I am sorry I live in dread and worry instead of being convinced that all things are in your hands. Help my unbelief! 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.