RESCUED

DEUTERONOMY 9:26 (GNT)
And I prayed, "Sovereign LORD, don't destroy your own people, the people you rescued and brought out of Egypt by your great strength and power."

MATTHEW 1:21 (CEB)
She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

THE ESSENCE
God makes a habit of rescuing people. 

DAILY FODDER
List all the ways God has some how rescued you? What does this list tell you about God? About yourself?  

PRAYER
Amazing Savior, thank you for rescuing me from myself — from my sins and the consequences of my sin. I want to live as one who has been snatched from death. Guide me into the freedom that comes from being rescued. 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.

EXAMINE YOUR LIFE

PROVERBS 1:7 (ABP)
The foundation of wisdom is reverence for GOD.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:5 (TCEB)
Take a long, hard look at yourself. Examine the state of your faith. Is Jesus the Messiah living inside you? If not, give yourself an F in faith.

THE ESSENCE
Examine your life for indicators of genuine faith and wisdom. 

DAILY FODDER
If examination shows that you're lacking, shift your focus onto who God is and what he has done. Or, if you’re on your game, start the whole examination process by looking first at the amazing character of God, and his Son, Jesus the Messiah-king.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for making my heart your home. Create in me a clean heart. Examine it. Guide me toward deeper faith. Teach me your ways, so I may grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help me to understand and experience your faithfulness and love. Open my eyes to your work in my life. You are good. 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 CHILDREN

JEREMIAH 3:14 (CEB)
Return, rebellious children,
declares the Lord,
for I’m your husband.
I’ll gather you —
one from a city and two from a tribe —
and bring you back to Zion.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 (GNT)
Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

THE ESSENCE
We can live as either rebellious and distant children of God or as close children, who act just like him.

DAILY FODDER
Our status as children of God seems unaffected by our response to him. His love does not depend on us. But our ability to thrive as his children is definitely affected by our eagerness to embrace his loving agenda and lifestyle.  

PRAYER
Our Father in Heaven, thank you for welcoming me into your family. Forgive me for distancing myself from you so that I can do my own thing. But, frankly, a distant relationship never seems to work so well. Help me to stay close to you. Gently remind me when I step away that I want to be close. I want to live a Christ-like life — loving and sacrifical.  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.

PARTNERS IN GOOD

AMOS 5:15 (NLT)
Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.

2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 (MSG)
Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark?

THE ESSENCE
Restrict your partnerships to those who are on the same godly page. 

DAILY FODDER
If your primary purpose is to partner with God to carry out his good, what happens if you add a partnership with different priorities or values? Why does it make practical sense to restrict your partnerships to those who accept God's agenda? What kinds of partnerships might this affect? Are there any exceptions? 

PRAYER
Lord of justice, thank you for sending the Spirit to advocate on behalf of those who are oppressed. I have not done enough to speak out for those without a voice or to seek justice for the poor. Forgive me! Equip me with the light of your love to dispel the darkness surrounding myself and my neighbors. 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.