FLOURISHING

JEREMIAH 23:3 (CEB)
I myself will gather the few remaining sheep from all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.

JOHN 10:10 (CEB)
The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.

THE ESSENCE
God's goal is that his people flourish.  

DAILY FODDER
What characterizes the full life that God envisions for people? What does it look like?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, that your vision for us goes beyond the bare necessities for survival. You want us to flourish. Forgive us for accepting an adequate but second-rate approach to life. Help us see how we can flourish even while the forces of evil attempt to drive forward around us. I'm looking to you for the kind of fruitfulness that characterizes a full and rich life — no matter what is happening in the world. 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.

ACCESS

PSALM 86:16 (MSG)
So look me in the eye and show kindness,
give your servant the strength to go on,
save your dear, dear child!

JOHN 16:23 (NLT)
At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

THE ESSENCE
As God's children, we have unprecedented access to him and his generosity. Jesus proves it.

DAILY FODDER
What are you asking of God in Jesus' name? Can you request something in Jesus' name that is contrary to Jesus' way and agenda? What happens when we ask for something like that?

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you that through Jesus and our relationship with him, we've been given direct access to you. Forgive the silly superstitious games we unnecessarily play to get your attention. Help us to learn how to trustingly turn to you. I know that it's not about what I do but who you are. Praise be to 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 THE LIFE-GIVER

DEUTERONOMY 32:39 (CEB)
Now, look here: I myself, I’m the one;
there are no other gods with me.
I’m the one who deals death and gives life;
I’m the one who wounded, but now I will heal.
There’s no escaping my hand.

JOHN 17:1-2 (GNT)
After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you. For you gave him authority over all people, so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him."

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the life-giver.  

DAILY FODDER
Eternal life isn't primarily about longevity — that is, living forever after we die. Yes, it includes that, but it is first and foremost a quality of life rooted in the eternal. It is so rich, because it flows from Jesus, that it never ends. Not even death can diminish it.

PRAYER
Eternal God, thank you for sending your Son into the world to establish a new regime based on eternal life. Forgive us for trying to live life apart from him. Help me to live into the gift of eternal life as you have given it. I'm going to honor Jesus with my life by allowing him and his eternal life to live through me. 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.

FORMED BY GOD'S WORD

PSALM 71:17-18 (MSG)
You got me when I was an unformed youth,
God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.

2 TIMOTHY 3:15 (NLT)
You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

THE ESSENCE
Through the scriptures God forms us into wise and faithfilled people. 

DAILY FODDER
Since God's instruction is so powerful and life altering, it makes sense that we'd stick with it without wavering.  

PRAYER
Lord, your faithfulness to me from birth to death is too wonderful to wrap my mind around. Your deeds are the bedrock of my Christian faith. Open my ears to hear again your word rooted in the Bible. Build my faith on you, my solid rock, the Word made flesh. You are Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition, adapted)

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.