LIGHT

ISAIAH 60:2 (MSG)
Put your face in the sunlight.
GOD’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But GOD rises on you,
his sunrise glory breaks over you.

JOHN 8:12 (MSG)
Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”

THE ESSENCE
When God turns on his glorious light, as he does through Jesus, we have plenty of light to live by.  

DAILY FODDER
It's interesting that even though God gives us plenty of light to live by, we have a tendency to fixate on dark corners, where there are unanswered questions or cowering manifestations of evil. 

PRAYER
Light of life, I'm grateful for the way that you have used your light to chase the darkness from my life. Forgive my curiosity of dark things. They are so foreign and novel. Free me to focus on the light you have given me and to ignore the remnants of darkness. I am confident that all darkness will be totally and permanently vanguished, according to your schedule. 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 ❤️

The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

JEREMIAH 24:7 (TCEB)
I’ll give them a heart that’s open to me. And with all their heart, they’ll devote themselves to me. I’ll be their God, and they will be my people.

LUKE 24:32 (CEB)
They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

THE ESSENCE
When it comes to relating to God, the heart is the heart of the matter. 

DAILY FODDER
God isn't just looking for people who obey him, but for people who have a heart for obeying him. These are the people who are truly connected to him and that connection is what matters. 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for giving me a heart for you. I recognize that I can't muster up this kind of heart-felt devotion on my own. And there are days when my faith is half-hearted. But I'm asking and trusting that you'll fan the flame for you. I want to be wholeheartedly and deeply devoted 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.

THE RACE

ISAIAH 40:30-31 (TCEB)
Even the young will fail,
Collapsed, with nothing left inside.
But if you trust in God
You get a second wind.
You catch a breeze, a lift, and sail on
Like an eagle in the sky.
You run your race with energy.
You walk and you never get tired.

HEBREWS 12:1-2 (TCEB)
   Take a hard look at this crowd. They’re watching us. We’ve got a race to run. Let’s strip down and get going. Take off everything that slows you. Peel away every sin that distracts you. This is a marathon, so get ready for the long run.
   Focus on Jesus. He wrote the book on faith. He’s the one who will refine our faith to perfection. He willingly suffered on the cross. He didn’t care about the shame of it. He knew he was racing toward joy. He’s sitting now beside God’s throne, in the seat of greatest honor.

THE ESSENCE
The stamina we have for running life's race so well comes from keeping our focus on Jesus, who has already finished the race in unbeatable time. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you keep your focus on Jesus, minute by minute, when there is so much demanding your attention? How do you do it? 

PRAYER
Lord who provides, I need you to renew my strength. When the race is long and I rely on my own strength, I fall. With Jesus as my goal, help me persevere, knowing when and how to serve. Guide me to rest in hopeful expectation, trusting that Jesus will make all things right. 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 CARE

DEUTERONOMY 8:7 (TCEB)
The LORD your God is escorting you to a wonderful land. You’ll see streams of water flowing down the hills and into the valleys. You’ll see fountains there, gushing up out of the underground springs.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 (TCEB)
God is kind and absolutely able to give you everything you need—all the time and in every situation. He can help you take care of yourself and others who are depending on you.

THE ESSENCE
God provides all we need to care for ourselves and others.  

DAILY FODDER
How does it benefit God, if at all, to provide so much? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, it's a part of your nature to care so well. I'm blessed to be under your care. I regret that at times I elevate my wants to the need level. Help me to trust that you know exactly what I need and when. I'm eager to share your blessings with others. I'm not worried about depleting your blessings warehouse. 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.