EXTREME FORGIVENESS

2 CHRONICLES 30:18-19 (TCEB)
May the good LORD forgive them all. They aren’t in line with our laws about ritual cleansing, but they have come here looking for the LORD and God of their ancestors.

LUKE 15:20 (TCEB)
So the young man left that pig farm and went back to his father. The young man was still a good distance from home, yet close enough for his father to see him coming. In that moment, his father melted into compassion. He raced to his son and collapsed onto his shoulders and neck, kissing him as he held him tight.

THE ESSENCE
Those who return to God receive the extreme forgiveness that he is known for. 

DAILY FODDER
What keeps people from turning to God? How might you reassure someone that God accepts and forgives them?

PRAYER
Merciful Father, your forgiveness knows no bounds. We confess that we project our own attitudes on you and assume that there must be a hidden catch. Free us from our reluctance so that we can turn to you each and every day. I don't understand how you can be so generous to such sinful people, but I'm going to enjoy the party anyway. 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

BEYOND CONTROL

JEREMIAH 10:23 (TCEB)
LORD, I know this much:
We have no control over our own lives.
We have no idea where we’re headed.

LUKE 12:19-20 (MSG)
Then the rich man said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’

“Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’

THE ESSENCE
By nature, we're all fairly clueless, lacking self- and situational-awareness.

DAILY FODDER
What have you acquired that lacks eternal value? How can you separate yourself from it? Or should you even try? 

PRAYER
Eternal God, I am thankful that every day your blessings overflow. Many of them I don't even see; I get too busy creating my own false security plan — not simply with goods I think I need but also with fear, resentment, and selfishness. I ask for your help to rest my future in the only hands I can trust. 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

RESURRECTION LIVING

JOB 19:25 (MSG)
Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life—
and eventually, he’ll take his stand on earth.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20 (TCEB)
Listen up. The Messiah was raised from the dead. He was the first of a huge crowd of souls that will rise.

THE ESSENCE
Through Jesus, the resurrection life has started.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus' resurrection doesn’t just mean that he is stronger than death; it means that because of our relationship with him, we'll follow him into resurrection. Thus, it just makes sense to start living according to the resurrection way of life even now. IOW, Jesus' resurrection changes both your short-term and long-term futures.

PRAYER
Risen Savior, your resurrection changes everything about the future. Forgive me for allowing the forces of despair to affect my outlook. Kindle in me a full-blown resurrection lifestyle starting now. I'm going to live as though sin and death are defeated enemies with no remaining power over my life. It's all because of what you've already done for us. 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.

SUPREME BEING

EXODUS 15:11 (CEB)
Who is like you among the gods, Lord?
Who is like you, foremost in holiness,
worthy of highest praise, doing awesome deeds?

1 CORINTHIANS 8:5-6 (TCEB)
Even if there are so-called gods in heaven and on earth, and people certainly do worship a lot of different gods and masters, for us,
   There is just one God,
      the Father.
   He created everything that exists.
   We exist for him.
   There is just one Lord,
      Jesus Christ.
     Through him everything was created.
   We exist because of him.

THE ESSENCE
God is without peer.  

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, what difference does it make if we’re dealing with but one supreme being? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, you are willing to reach down, making me your child. I exist only for you, yet I worship false Idols of my own making. Please take away my appetite for things I think I can't live without. Grant me the clarity to distinguish the gift from the Giver. Help me desire the comfort of your presence alone. 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.