IMPROVED LISTENING

JEREMIAH 23:35 (ABP)
Don't presumptously declare what's on my mind. Instead, ask others what I'm saying to them or if I've said anything at all.

MATTHEW 26:75 (MSG)
Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

THE ESSENCE
Listen and remember what the Lord is saying, even if it's not what you want to hear. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you know if you're tuning out something important that you don't want to hear? How do you correct your selective listening? 

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being communicative. I confess, though, that I shut down when you say something I don't want to hear. Bring faithful listening partners into my life to keep me honest — people in-tune with your word. I want to take listening to the next level. 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.

RELEASED!

PSALM 142:7 (CEB)
Get me out of this prison
so I can give thanks to your name.
Then the righteous will gather all around me
because of your good deeds to me.

ACTS 12:5 (CEB)
While Peter was held in prison, the church offered earnest prayer to God for him.

THE ESSENCE
Look to God for release. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the desperate siuation you're facing today? How does the Bible offer hope for such moments? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful that you have the wisdom and power to intervene on my behalf when it makes sense in your loving scheme. Even when you don't act in the way I want, I am confident that you want the best for me and your church, and act accordingly. Help me to turn with earnestness to you whenever I encounter a desperate situation. I know that Jesus is the great liberator. He's already established that. 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 GATE

PSALM 33:22 (TCEB)
Keep the love and kindness coming, LORD.
As we put our trust in you.

JOHN 10:9 (NLT)
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

THE ESSENCE
Trust the Lord to provide your forever safe place.

DAILY FODDER
What constitutes "good pasture" in Jesus' mind? What does "good pasture" look like for you? How do those two pastures line up?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming into our world to create a gateway into your safe pastures. Forgive me for failing to take full advantage of your care and protection. Save me from trying to go it on my own. Sheep can be so stubborn. I'm trusting in you, for you are the best option. 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.

KEEP CALM AND...

EXODUS 14:14 (ABP)
GOD is going to fight the battle for you. Your orders are to stand down and do nothing.

MARK 13:11 (TCEB)
When you do get arrested, don’t worry about the testimony you’ll need to give. No need to practice your speech. Whatever words come to mind when you have to stand up and speak, go ahead and speak those words. They won’t be coming from you. They’ll be coming from the Holy Spirit.

THE ESSENCE
Calmly tune into what the Lord is saying and let him handle the battles.  

DAILY FODDER
Is Jesus saying we should never prepare for things? What seems to be his intention behind the words recorded in Mark 13? 

PRAYER
Lord, when you stood trial before the Sanhedrin, you were calm and still, even though they falsely accused you and condemned you. When I'm accused wrongly, I grow agitated and defensive. Jesus, keep me in your calm and trust. For I know you will fight for me and vindicate me. Let me rest in you alone. 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.