CARING

PROVERBS 17:5 (MSG)
Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator;
gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

MATTHEW 5:7 (MSG)
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God blesses those who care for the poor.

PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you for caring for us -- even when we are pathetic and unworthy of your attention. I confess that I haven't yet fully caught on to the extent of your radical mercy. Sometimes I even gloat when bad things happen to stupid-acting people. Forgive me and fill my heart with mercy. Just as you cared for the world sending your Son to demonstrate how you do mercy, I'm going to embrace your way of caring. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

SHEPHERD

MICAH 7:14 (MSG)
Shepherd, O GOD, your people with your staff...

JOHN 10:4 (NLT)
After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God leads and protects his people.

PRAYER
Holy Shepherd, your distinctive voice calls me to follow you. In your fold of abundant and everlasting life, you keep me safe, but I am easily lured away by worldly voices that clamor for my attention and allegiance. Open my soul's ears to discern your call to follow your way, your truth, and your life. I will trust you, beloved Shepherd. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

TRUE PRAISE

PSALM 147:1 (CEB)
Praise the LORD!
Because it is good to sing praise to our God!
Because it is a pleasure to make beautiful praise!

EPHESIANS 5:19 (CEV)
When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Whatever you're doing, use it as an opportunity to truly give praise to God.

PRAYER
I admit, Lord, that you are worthy of all our attention -- all the honor -- all the respect -- all the praise. Yet, it's so hard to let go of the desire to make everything about ourselves. I even do it in subtle ways. Forgive my misdirected energy and free me to direct my praise to you. I want to be that person who can continually praise you without being obnoxious -- who can praise you without the trite cliches that are all about keeping up appearances. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

SEEK

The Second Sunday after Epiphany

PSALM 105:4 (NLT)
Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.

LUKE 11:10 (CEB)
Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who make their lives about seeking out the Lord will be successful in their pursuit.

PRAYER
I'm grateful God that, even though you call us to spend our lives seeking out you and your will, you don't play hide-n-seek games with us. You are eager to show us all that we need to see. I confess that I want to know more than I need to know and that I can get worked up over what is unknown to me. Help me to focus on searching for you. I'm going to trust that as I connect with you, what I need will become clear. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.