NEW PRIORITIES

ECCLESIASTES 12:13 (CEV)
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God!
This is what life
is all about.

MARK 12:29-31 (ABP)
Listen up and act accordingly! God expects two things of you that transcend everything else. First of all, he is the one and only God; so he is to be your one and only master; and you must love him with the entirety of who you are—with all your heart, mind, and activity—your soul. Secondly, act with love toward your neighbor—no matter how distant, different, or despicable the person is. Use the same level of energy that you put forth to look out for yourself to look out for the wellbeing of these others.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make everything about loving God and loving others.

DAILY FODDER
How good of a job did you do yesterday at prioritizing love of God and others? Today is a new day.

PRAYER
Gracious God, you deserve total respect and obedience. I confess that my efforts in that direction can be pretty half ass. Renew my heart, mind, and activity so that the entirety of who I am is naturally caught up in loving you and others. I have a new set of priorities. In Jesus' name, 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.

BLESSED

PSALM 3:8 (MSG)
Real help comes from GOD.
Your blessing clothes your people!

LUKE 24:50 (CEV)
Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our God is a blessing God!

DAILY FODDER
What was it like for the disciples to experience Jesus blessing as he departed? How did they feel? What were they thinking? Why did Jesus do that?

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for placing me where I am. Sometimes it feels as if I am living in the wilderness, and other times in battle. But always I know that I live under the canopy of your love. Help me extend your umbrella of blessings to those around me so we can travel with your big benediction. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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.

DON'T BE AFRAID

ISAIAH 54:4 (MSG)
Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.

MATTHEW 28:5-6 (CEB)
But the angel said to the women, "Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead..."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't let fear drive your life—or even this moment.

DAILY FODDER
Which is more fear inducing to you, things known or things unknown? Does it make any difference when God is present?

PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my fear-based focus in life. I picture panic when actually angels are dancing with joy. Take my hand and lead me away from my glass-half-empty attitude. Especially in the shambles of life, I want to see Jesus today and dance with him. 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.

THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S PERFECT PLAN

PSALM 18:30 (NLT)
God’s way is perfect.

MARK 4:26-28 (CEV)
Again Jesus said:
God's kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field. The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn't understand how. It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's perfect plan continues to unfold whether we understand it or not.

DAILY FODDER
What to you is the biggest mystery about God's way of doing things? Does that mystery hinder or help your faith? 

PRAYER
God, you are great and beyond all understanding. I admit that sometimes I try to squeeze you and your ways into my human and broken framework. Relieve me of the desire to eliminate the mystery. Help me to step forward along your pathway in faith. I'm not sure about all the details but I'm trusting you for the present and the future. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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.