AWESOME AND HOLY

ZEPHANIAH 3:7 (NET)
‘Certainly you will respect me!
Now you will accept correction!’

REVELATION 15:4 (GNT)
Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord?
Who will refuse to declare your greatness?
You alone are holy.

THE ESSENCE
Respect and awe for God involves embracing his holiness. 

DAILY FODDER
Many sing praise songs declaring the awesomeness of God, but few allow his holiness to shape their lives. How do you deal with this inconsistency in your life? 

PRAYER
Awesome God, I love declaring your greatness. But I admit that I'm don't get as excited about how you’re  trying to redirect and reshape my life according to your image. Help me to let go of the things that are offensive to your holy self. I want to honor you with both my words and life. 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.

PATIENCE WITH GOD

PSALM 90:4 (MSG)
Patience! You’ve got all the time in the world—whether
a thousand years or a day, it’s all the same to you.

2 PETER 3:8-9 (TCEB)
Don’t miss this, dear friends: With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years; and a thousand years are like a day. Our leader isn’t late, as some claim. He didn’t break his promise. Instead, he’s being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone annihilated. He wants everyone to reject sin instead of rejecting him.

THE ESSENCE
Be patient with God, because the reality is that he is exercising patience with us. 

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, what does patience with God mean? What does impatience with God look like? Why are we so insistent that he right the all wrongs now, even at times acting to try and force his hand?   

PRAYER
Loving God, your time and ways are incomprehensible. Thank you for your promises. I'm sorry I am impatient for you to answer my prayers. You watch over me; you want me to walk with you. Today I will say yes to your forgiveness and will receive all you have for me. I live with expectant hope. 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.

ADVOCATES FOR THE VULNERABLE

PROVERBS 31:8-9 (MSG)
Speak up for the people who have no voice,
for the rights of all the misfits.
Speak out for justice!
Stand up for the poor and destitute!

MARK 2:3-4 (TCEB)
Some people came to the house with a paralyzed man, carried by four men. They couldn’t work their way through the crowd, so they broke through the roof. They tore open a hole above where Jesus was standing. Then they lowered the paralyzed man, who was laying on a mat.

THE ESSENCE
God expects us to advocate for the vulnerable.

DAILY FODDER
I'm thinking of the four men who advocated for the paralyzed man by trying to get him to Jesus. But the crowd of people listening to Jesus wouldn't make way. 

It makes me wonder if those in the crowd were really listening to Jesus or if they were just there because of the excitement. 

PRAYER
Jesus, you care for every person and do not discriminate between who deserves your love and healing. I regret I do not speak up for the compromised. Open my heart to be sensitive to those who are repressed and in need of your healing. May I be a friend that helps those in need and connects them with you. 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.

GOD’S WELCOME

DANIEL 9:4-5 (MSG)
O Master, great and august God. You never waver in your covenant commitment, never give up on those who love you and do what you say. Yet we have sinned in every way imaginable.

JOHN 6:37 (GNT)
Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me...

THE ESSENCE
God's loving welcome, even of sinful people, is mind-boggling. 

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever been turned away by someone you considered important? How did that make you feel? How does it make you feel when you hear that God will never turn you away when you turn to him?

PRAYER
Kind God, I'm refreshed by the knowledge that you welcome even people like me into your life. Forgive me for how inconsistent I am in taking you up on your offer. Draw me closer so that turning to you is my first inclination in every moment. I want to be with you because you want to be with 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.