FREED!

EXODUS 20:2 (NLT)
I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

GALATIANS 5:13 (MSG)
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.

THE ESSENCE
Through Christ, we're freed from serving the powers and impulses of evil so that we can lovingly serve one another. 

DAILY FODDER
Notice that in Christ, one form of slavery is replaced with another form of slavery. The irony, of course, is that we find freedom in the type of slavery associated with Christ Jesus. 

PRAYER
What a miracle that you, God, call me to rise up to live as your free child! Discipline me in the way I should live through love. Father, guide me by the liberating Spirit of Christ, to free me from slavery to myself. Help me to be enslaved to my neighbor in love. What a calling! What a Savior! 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 CANE

PSALM 37:23-24 (CEB)

A person’s steps are made secure by the Lord

when they delight in his way.

Though they trip up, they won’t be thrown down,

because the Lord holds their hand.

MATTHEW 14:30-31 (CEB)
   But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!”
   Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?”

THE ESSENCE
When we're walking with the Lord we can count on him to secure our steps.  

DAILY FODDER
As I've aged I have become aware of how prone I am to mis-step. So, I walk with a cane, which has become a true companion and has numerous times saved me from falling. Think of the Lord as the spiritual equivalent of a cane. When we walk with him he guards our balance and facilitates recovery on the occasions when we mis-step. I don't go anywhere without my cane, even though I might be okay for awhile. But it’s not worth the risk.

PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for steadying me when I lose my balance or slip. Forgive me for thinking that I'm so healthy that I don't need a cane. Guide my steps so I can live a new day. I'm not embarrassed that I can't make it on my own. 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.

THROUGH HIS SUFFERING

ISAIAH 53:5 (MSG)
Through his bruises we get healed.

ROMANS 4:25 (GNT)
Because of our sins he was given over to die, and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God.

THE ESSENCE
Through Jesus' suffering we experience forgiveness, healing, and relational restoration with God.  

DAILY FODDER
There is no need to try and prove your worthiness to God. He has already through his sacrifice, done everything that needs doing. Our role is to embrace him and own for ourselves the gifts he gives.  

PRAYER
Good and gracious Lord, you were broken and bruised for sinners like me. Forgive me when I think people owe me for loving and forgiving them.  Burst the limits of my love, O Lord. I want your everlasting light to overcome any darkness that is created by guilt and shame. Let me bring forgivin' livin' wherever you lead me. 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.

HIS WORD

PSALM 119:81 (GNT)
I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me;
I place my trust in your word.

MATTHEW 8:16 (GNT)
When evening came, people brought to Jesus many who had demons in them. Jesus drove out the evil spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

THE ESSENCE
Keep on trusting that God will take care of the problem, according to his word.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus just had to say the word and people were healed. Then the psalmist says he placed his trust in God's word. What is "the word" as used in this context? It must be a powerful word.  

PRAYER
Faithful God, you are a being of your word. From the beginning you spoke and everything came into existence. Jesus spoke and people were healed. Why is it that I allow circumstances to whittle away at my confidence in the power of your word? Speak and the forces of evil have to back down. Say the word, God, and I'm saved! I’m renewing my trust in you and your word. 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.