FREEDOM

PSALM 31:8 (ABP)
You put me in a safe spot where I can catch my breath and turn off the hyper-vigilance.

GALATIANS 5:1 (MSG)
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

THE ESSENCE
Christ has positioned us to live lives free from oppression.

DAILY FODDER
The oppression in Psalm 31 involves unfaithful political forces. The oppression in Galatians 5 involves influencers who are trying to impose their understanding of God's expectations on others. How does Christ free us from these kinds of oppression? How do we claim that freedom?

PRAYER
Liberating Lord Jesus, thank you for the freedom that is mine because of the sacrifice you made on our behalf. Even though I can drift back toward slavery to sin and personal ambition, I claim your freedom for myself. Position me in a spot where I can stand firm under your watchful care. I feel like I can finally breathe. 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.

UNBELIEVING HEARTS

EXODUS 9:34 (NRSVUE)
But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned once more and hardened his heart, he and his officials.

HEBREWS 3:12 (GNT)
My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God.

THE ESSENCE
Unbelieving hearts lead to all kinds of problems. 

DAILY FODDER
What exactly is an unbelieving heart? How does someone avoid this kind of heart?

PRAYER
Guardian of my soul, I am grateful for your love that fills my heart. I regret how easily my heart can turn to stone when I feel threatened or afraid. Help those who are controlled by their fears, and call to account those who use fear to manipulate and control. Help me to choose faith over fear. 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.

SAVIOR

ISAIAH 60:16 (ABP)
You’ll know exactly who GOD is — your Savior, your Redeemer, your Champion.

1 TIMOTHY 4:10 (CEB)
Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.

THE ESSENCE
God is the one who saves us.

DAILY FODDER
From what, other than sin, are you counting on God to save you? 

PRAYER
Great God, thank you for your saving presence in the world — especially in my life. You've redeemed me from a sin-centered existence and shifted my allegiance to Jesus, who sacrificed his life and rose again on our behalf. I need your assistance to learn how to live into the salvation you've established. I’m trusting that your salvation will penetrate into every aspect of my life and that all will come to recognize you as Savior, Redeemer, and Champion. 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.

GOD'S CIRCLE OF PROTECTION

PROVERBS 14:26 (ABP)
Self-confidence emerges from reverence for GOD, generating security for your family.

1 JOHN 5:18 (MSG)
We know that none of the GOD-born makes a practice of sin—fatal sin. The GOD-born are also the GOD-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them.

THE ESSENCE
God's people live in the circle of his special protection. 

DAILY FODDER
If God is protecting us, we don’t want to compromise his protective shield by playing footloose with sin.

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for holding me in your loving embrace. Sin lurks at the door and the evil one knocks with temptation, but in your presence, evil is silenced by your love and grace. Strengthen me to resist sin and renew my heart to live as a beloved child of God. Today, I open myself to your liberating love. 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.