THROTTLED ANGER

ISAIAH 57:16 (CEB)
I won’t always accuse,
nor will I be enraged forever.

1 JOHN 2:1 (CEB)
But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.

THE ESSENCE
God throttles his own anger as his love breaks through on our behalf.

DAILY FODDER
How does it change your life knowing that whatever anger God might have, it's not permanent? 

PRAYER
God of creation, your holy law maintains the good order of all you have made. Turn aside from your anger, even though I deserve nothing better. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, who advocates on my behalf. May I always be an advocate for those without voices. 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.

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.