KINDNESS

JONAH 4:4 (ABP)
GOD replied to Jonah, "What qualifies you to be so angry over my mercy?"

LUKE 6:36 (MSG)
Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

THE ESSENCE
Don't bypass an opportunity to show kindness. 

DAILY FODDER
What God-acceptible criteria is there for disqualifying someone from receiving your kindness and mercy? 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, there is an incomprehensible wideness to your mercy. I, on the other hand, struggle to muster enough empathy to live out basic kindness. Open my eyes to the depths of your kindness and through the prompting of your Spirit nudge me into that lane. I want to be kind, as you are kind. I can only do that in partnership with 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.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE GOD

1 KINGS 1911-12 (CEB)
A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet.

JOHN 1:18 (GNT)
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

THE ESSENCE
Even though God is an unknowable mystery, Jesus makes him known. 

DAILY FODDER
If you really really want to know what God is like, you'll  pay attention to Jesus. He's the starting point and ending point for all our inquiry. 

PRAYER
Almighty God, the power in nature alerts us to your presence, even though we can't  see you in nature. But then you make yourself known in a definitive way through Jesus. Forgive us for demanding additional signs. Help me to become a thoroughly committed apprentice of Jesus. I want to know him and make him known. 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.

ADMIT IT

2 SAMUEL 24:10 (MSG)
And David prayed to God, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I’ve been really stupid.”

1 JOHN 1:9 (MSG)
On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

THE ESSENCE
When we own up to our failures — our sins — God repairs our relationship.

DAILY FODDER
What stands in the way of admitting our sin to God? 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, some days the realization of the depths of my guilt overwhelms. As I speak my confession, I am cleansed. Gratitude fills my soul from your redeeming words of love. Like David, I continue to pray for any shame or guilt to be removed from my soul. Today is a new beginning! 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.

THE FUTURE

PSALM 31:15 (CEB)
My future is in your hands.

EPHESIANS 5:15 (CEB)
So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly.

THE ESSENCE
Live as though your future is really up to God.  

DAILY FODDER
I feel free, knowing that ultimately my future is not my responsibility.  

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you pass along some of your wisdom to us. Forgive me for ignoring it and for trying to make a future on my own. Help me to tune into the wisdom you share as I make choices about the future. I'm going to trust you for my future, indeed, for the future of everyone. 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.