FIRE

Pentecost Sunday

ZECHARIAH 2:5 (CEB alt)
I will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the LORD.

ACTS 2:1, 3-4 (CEV)
On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place... Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Just as fire seems to have a mind of its own as it goes to and fro, the Holy Spirit moves in unpredictable ways as he ignites his people.

DAILY FODDER
Is the fire of the Holy Spirit burning fervently in you right now? If not, what can or can't be done about that?

PRAYER
Father God, your Spirit is a fire within me and a wall of protection around me. I am grateful that your Spirit gives me peace, teaches, comforts, guides, and strengthens me. When my inner fire grows dim, reignite passion and zeal in me. Let the warmth of your Spirit in me draw others to you. 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.

SOLIDARITY WITH THE UPRIGHT GOD

DEUTERONOMY 32:4 (ABP)
GOD is totally reliable, without an ounce of deceit, 100% upright and just.

1 JOHN 3:24 (CEV)
The Spirit he has given us is proof that we are one with him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's Spirit in our midst is proof that we are in true solidarity with him and his justice agenda for us and the world.

DAILY FODDER
When we act God-like it is proof that we are in solidarity with him. What does it mean when we have no energy for right-living and pursuing God's version of justice?

PRAYER
Faithful and true God, you don't ever disappoint me. I, on the other hand, am full of disappointment. Release your Spirit to move freely in my life, erasing all the disappointment. I obviously can't live a Christ-life on my own. But I'm aiming to stand in solidarity with you on everything. 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.

GOD IS RIGHT

DANIEL 9:14 (CEV)

...the LORD our God has been right in every move he’s made...

ROMANS 3:25-26 (CEV)
And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
By nature God is always right; so trust him.

DAILY FODDER
At least someone has a 100% righteous track record which means our only chance of being on the right side is to hook our train car to his engine.

PRAYER
Righteous God, you don't make mistakes. My greatest mistake is in thinking I can get through life on my own without your assistance. I do say that my faith is in Christ but then when I encounter challenges I get sucked into thinking I've got more pull than I do. Show me how to live into my professed faith. I want to experience the righteousness of Christ in my daily 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.

UNCONENTIONAL

MICAH 5:2 (MSG)
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

1 TIMOTHY 3:16 (CEV)
Here is the great mystery of our religion:
   Christ came as a human.
   The Spirit proved
   that he pleased God,
   and he was seen by angels.

   Christ was preached
   to the nations.
   People in this world
   put their faith in him,
   and he was taken up to glory.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The coming of Christ the Savior, as unconventional as it was from a human perspective, set us on a fresh trajectory.

DAILY FODDER
In your mind does the mystery surrounding Christ add credibility to his message or detract from it?

PRAYER
Almighty God, it is beyond comprehension that you would become one of us. I'm sorry that I still struggle to wrap my mind around how this could be. Help me to embrace the mystery of who you are and how you do things. I know that through the coming of Jesus the Christ into the world you've set things on a new trajectory and I'm trusting him so I can go with your flow. 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.