Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them. – Luke 15: 1-2 (NRSV)

OBSERVATION: Poverty is not a sin; but any collection of the impoverished often includes those whom we associate with sin. While Jesus promises the poor will always be with us, in Luke’s gospel, a slew of Jesus’ parables promise even the “undeserving” end up paid, invited, fed, and found! Not only that, where people are impoverished, the Kingdom of God throws a party for them.  If we are not helping the poor, we are failing as followers of Jesus.

PRAYER: Holy One, help us to find room at our table for all.

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…then God raised up judges who saved them from their plunderers.  But they wouldn’t listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves to other gods—worshiped them!  They lost no time leaving the road walked by their parents, the road of obedience to God’s commands.  They refused to have anything to do with it. – Judges 2: 16-17 (The Message)

OBSERVATION: There is certainly every good reason for us to pray for Judges and our judicial system, especially in these days of cultural strife, injustices, differences of view, arguments over everything.  That God raised up judges who deliver God’s people is a biblical given.  That we do not to listen to our judges—especially if we believe they can’t, don’t, or won’t “judge” like we believe they should, is a human given—in the words of Burger King, we like to “have it our way.”  The trouble is, it was never supposed to be “our way;” this is God’s good creation!  The key to harmony may yet be what human beings were called to do first in creation—to walk with God.  What difference might it make if we were walking with God, rather than blaming “the other side.”  It’s not about what the judges do—it’s about what the people do.  Not about “them;” it’s about US.

PRAYER: Holy God, we are grateful for your care of us—for your deliverance, walking with us, and gifting us with commandments that lead to life for all peoples.  We pray, “teach us your ways and show us your paths;” but too often we choose our own paths and demand our own ways.  So, help us write a new ending to our story, your ending, that comes from walking with you.

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Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. – James 1:27 (NLT)

OBSERVATION: The CALL is an organization that recruits, trains and supports foster care families in Union & Ouachita County. Currently (report July 2020) Union County has 55 children in foster care. There are a total of 20 foster homes in Union County registered with the State to care for them (12 of these homes were recruited by the CALL). Family recruited and/or supported by The CALL foster homes are caring for 26 children. For more information about the CALL contact Karen Hicks, Union County Coordinator at 870-904-0581.

PRAYER: Father, thank You that You reached out to us, through Christ, when we were orphaned and all alone and adopted us into Your family, gave us a name and a forever home with You! Help us reach out with Your love to boys and girls who have no home and provide the love and nurture that they need to grow and flourish in You. Thank You for organizations like the CALL who provide training and care for foster families who answer Your call to provide foster care for children who so desperately need it. Thank You for those families who adopt children in foster care and show the world the greatest example of what You have done for us! We offer up this prayer to You…until no child is waiting! Amen.

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A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34 (NIV)

OBSERVATION:  Harmony is the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect.  Our community is a diversity of cultures, races, and beliefs, but when we work together, even though we have many differences, it’s like musical harmony, when many sounds together produce a pleasant symphony.

PRAYER:  Dear Heavenly Father we thank you for your agape love! The love that is unconditional and sees us as you created us all, in your image! We pray that we learn to see one another as true brothers and sisters, all your precious children!!! When we look at one another, may we see you, Our Father!!!

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And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. – Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

OBSERVATION: Non-profit agencies are making a difference in our community.  We are blessed to have so many who do so much to serve the needs of our community.  We live in a city where we can find a number of resources available to us.  We can go online and find many non-profit organizations in El Dorado.  It is great to be part of a community where so many are willing to put their faith into action by showing Christ’s love and meeting one another’s needs.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we bless and praise You that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from You.  May we continue to have a heart for each other.  Thank You for so many in our community who give so much.  We thank you for the churches and organizations dedicated to meet the needs of our community.  Continue to provide all that is needed so that others are touched and blessed through agency and church.  In Jesus name, amen.

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But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. – 2 Thessalonians 2:13

OBSERVATION: The Spirit’s work in our lives should produce in us thanksgiving, always.

PRAYER: Father God, we come to you with thanksgiving and praise for the work of the Spirit in our lives. We recognize that we are nothing had the Spirit not performed His work in our lives. We extend all glory and honor to You, and take not credit for ourselves. We were born again by the Spirit, function currently by the Spirit, and trust our future to the Spirit. Praise the Father, praise the Son, and especially today, we praise the Holy Spirit.

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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:1-6

OBSERVATION: In Ephesians 4:1-6 we find Paul urging the church at Ephesus to walk worthy of the calling they have received. This passage reminds us that we represent Christ in what we do, what we say, and how we respond to others. We are the Church and we are encouraged in this passage in how to respond and be together as one Church body reflecting ONE GOD.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, may Your Church be seen unified in peace. May we speak and act with humility, gentleness patience, and love. You are faithful and above all and in all. May we reflect You so well that the world may know You are God and You are on Your throne.

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But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ – Luke 10:33-35

OBSERVATION: Perhaps there is no passage that so clearly reminds us of Paramedics and EMTs. While others are wondering what to do or simply standing and staring, Paramedics and EMTs rush in to supply aid. They see things they wish they could forget. They do whatever is necessary. Untold lives are saved through their effort.

PRAYER: Father, we praise that You have supplied this world with Paramedics and EMTs. They remind us of You & Your action through Jesus. Please bless, comfort, and guide them on every situation they are called to. Thank You for so often working through their efforts. Protect their health and families. Please continue opening people’s hearts to be called to such blessed work. We pray these things through Jesus. Amen

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A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. – Psalm 112:15 (KJV)

OBSERVATION: Our local community depends so much upon our local business owners, especially when it comes to sponsoring events and giving back to the community. We, as a community, need to remember to help them when they help us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we ask that you bless the business owners of Union county. We ask that they seek your council and conduct their business according to Your Word and will. May we remember to help them as they have helped us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:10-12

OBSERVATION: I recently visited my relative’s grave at Rock Island National Cemetery, Moline, Illinois. George N. Johnson, 38th Infantry, Alabama, gave his life for a military cause in 1864. He died along with 2,200 others after suffering horrible conditions in the Rock Island Prisoner of War Camp after their capture in battle at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

PRAYER: “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend”, says Jesus. And who would know better? For He laid down his life once for all to atone for the sins of the world! He laid down his life for me and you! May we take up our cross daily, our military service daily, and serve the risen Lord by serving one another equipped with the military armor of God! Amen.

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