WHATEVER YOU DO

ECCLESIASTES 9:10 (ABP)
This is your one chance to pour your energy into living life. Once you're in the grave (which is where you're headed), there are no mulligans, and you won't have another opportunity to work things out, think through the challenges, or exercise wisdom.

COLOSSIANS 3:17 (NLT)
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

THE ESSENCE
Whatever you do with your life, do it on behalf of the Lord Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
The greatest privilege of my life is to represent the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Glorious God, there is no greater privilege than to represent you and your agenda for the world. Forgive me for living parts of my life as though it's all about me and what I want to see happen. Help me to take my sole responsibility as an ambassador of Christ and his kingdom seriously. With gratitude, I'm going to pour myself into the things you think are important. 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.

THE GREAT REVEAL

DANIEL 2:28 (CEB)
But there is a God in heaven, a revealer of mysteries...

COLOSSIANS 1:27 (GNT)
God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.

THE ESSENCE
Christ living in us is the great reveal of life's greatest mytery. 

DAILY FODDER
As we acknowledge and embrace Christ's presence in our lives, life starts to make sense. Yes, there will always be mysteries that we don't and can't understand, but they don’t rattle us in the same way. That is, the revelation of Christ is the key to living with the uncertainties of life. 

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for unlocking the mystery of life, through Christ. Forgive me for embracing the angst of a blind unbelieving world. Show me how to live without renting space in my mind to their worries over significance. I find my purpose and answers in you. 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.

JESUS' NEW LAW

NUMBERS 23:12 (CEV)
Balaam answered, “I can say only what the LORD tells me.”

JOHN 13:34 (TCEB)
I’m going to leave you with a new law to live by: Love one another. You’ve seen how I love you. Love each other like that.

THE ESSENCE
When Jesus lays down the law, it's time to live accordingly. 

DAILY FODDER
I wonder if we should read John 13:34 as somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Jesus said he was giving a new law or commandment. But it wasn't new to anyone who had spent any time around him. Perhaps it was new compared to how most people operated or new compared to the law of Moses. But it wasn't new in Jesus' world. He put it into practice before he said anything about it. Embrace his approach.

PRAYER
King Jesus, you have the right to issue new laws. I'm grateful that when you do so, your new laws aren't from a distant throne but from a room of friends. You've already shown us what you expect. Help me to love like you. I'm not always so good at that. But I know you are in the process of transforming me into your image. I'm eager to be a part of your love team. 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.

RAISED UP

JONAH 2:6 (GW)
But you brought up my life from the Pit...

ACTS 9:34 (NLT)
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly.

THE ESSENCE
We're saved from despair as we recognize that God raises people from the pits. 

DAILY FODDER
Even when we are not healed or spared physical death, we're still released from the grip of despair as we recognize that because of Christ Jesus, death is no longer the final word. 

PRAYER
Life-giving Lord, you heal me. You redeem me. You love me. Thank you. I don't want to wait a single moment before getting up to do your will. Guide my words and my actions today. Help me to walk with the freedom and purpose that only you provide. My life is yours. 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.