JESUS WANTS TO

ISAIAH 50:2 (MSG)
Do you think I’ve forgotten how to help?
Am I so decrepit that I can’t deliver?

MATTHEW 8:2 (MSG)
Then a leper appeared and dropped to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus WANTS to help.

DAILY FODDER
What causes us to second-guess God's goodwill and power?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you want to be involved in our lives. You want to save us. There aren't any other "gods" with such a disposition. I'm grateful but in my rapid-fire life, I fail to take full advantage of all that you offer. Slow me down and open my eyes so that I can turn to you like the leper did -- "if you want to..." Of course, you want to. You want to do what is best for us if we're open to your involvement. I'm going to think first of your generosity and let it shape my life. 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.

THE KINGDOM

DANIEL 2:44 (MSG)
The God of heaven will be building a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will this kingdom ever fall under the domination of another.

LUKE 22:29-30 (CEB)
Jesus said, "And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me. Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom..."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus came to establish an unending kingdom based on his power and agenda.

DAILY FODDER
What exactly is Jesus' kingdom? Is it already in operation? If so, how so?

PRAYER
King of kings and Lord of lords, yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Yet, you confer on me, a sinner, your eternal kingdom. I thank you for your gift of salvation and the promise of eating at your table forever. Help me to share your love and mercy with others. 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.

GOD'S TEAM

EXODUS 3:14 (CEB)
God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am."

ROMANS 8:31 (ABP)
If we're on the same side as God, who stands a chance against us?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we're on God's team no one stands a chance against us.

DAILY FODDER
In light of the fact that you're playing on God's team you should be confident and brave. Why, then, is it that you hesitate to give the effort 110%? What would it take to coach the hesitancy out of you?

PRAYER
God, you trust us so much that you invite us to play on your team. Yet, I don't play up to my ability because I worry that I might fail you. Embolden me to wisely go into life with Spirit-charged confidence. I want to be a brave player on Christ's team. 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.

OUTRAGEOUS GOD-IMITATING GENEROSITY

The 5th Sunday of Easter

PROVERBS 25:21-22 (MSG)
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you.

LUKE 6:35 (MSG)
“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Surprise the hell out of your enemies through your outrageous God-imitating generosity.

DAILY FODDER
How can Jesus say that you'll not regret giving to your enemies without expecting return? What should we expect? Does he mean we should literally do this? If not, what does he mean?

PRAYER
God, you sent your Son to save us while we were living as rebellious children. Forgive my failure to grasp the magnitude and the implications of grace. I don't think I'm capable of this kind of grace on my own and since you're the expert I'd appreciate having some personalized instruction. Under your tutelage I want to become an expert at disrupting the pattern of sin in the world by loving my enemies. 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.