LIGHT WITH CHRIST

ISAIAH 50:10 (MSG)
For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going,
anyone groping in the dark,
Here’s what: Trust in GOD.
Lean on your God!

1 JOHN 2:8 (CEV)
But it really is a new commandment, and you know its true meaning, just as Christ does. You can see the darkness fading away and the true light already shining.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

When we walk with Christ we're blasting away the surrounding darkness.

DAILY FODDER
Why is light such a powerful metaphor for our experience with Christ?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for being the true light of my life. You redeem the world and bring me your gracious light. When I confess the darkness of sin in my heart, forgive me. Shine on me so I can trust you even when darkness looms on the horizon. Make me a beacon of light to someone today. 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.

SECOND CHANCES

JOEL 2:13 (MSG)
God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot,
This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe.

LUKE 13:8-9 (NLT)
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God wants us to take advantage of his generous second-chances nature.

DAILY FODDER
How many second-chances is God likely to give?

PRAYER
Generous God, I'm grateful that your mercy is beyond what any of us expect or understand. I'm prone to project my impatient vindictive self onto you. Free me from my faulty perceptions of self and you. I want to be the fig tree that finally produces good fruit for you—in spite of my slow starts. 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.

ESCAPE!

PSALM 124:7 (CEB)
We escaped like a bird from the hunters’ trap;
the trap was broken so we escaped!

LUKE 6:18 (CEV)
These people had come to listen to Jesus and to be healed of their diseases. All who were troubled by evil spirits were also healed.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is in the business of releasing people from the traps that ensnare them.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever escaped from an oppressive situation—health, debt, or otherwise?  What did that feel like? 

PRAYER
Savior God, you have a history of rescuing individuals and groups from the traps that ensnare them. We confess that much of what oppresses us is of our own doing. Even when we didn't create the problems, we give into fear and further entangle ourselves in the panic. Calm us down. Talk us into trusting you and your timing. I'm going to escape because I have faith in what you, Christ, have done and are doing. 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.

CELEBRATE GOD!

PSALM 9:2 (ABP)
I'm going to let the bubbling joy overflow out of my heart as I celebrate you!
I'm going to sing praise songs to you, the highest and greastest God.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 (MSG)
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Celebrate God!

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so important for believers to celebrate God? How does this happen in your life?

PRAYER
O Most High, you have crowned me and all your children with glory and honor. Yet too often I live in fear for my future and for my loved ones. Instead of rejoicing, I cling to my "what ifs" and "if onlys." Today let me trust that in everything that happens to me, you are working for good. 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.