OVERCOMING DEATH

PSALM 71:20-21 (ABP)
When I'm tottering on the edge of the grave, you'll restore my life.
You'll make me greater and more comfortable than ever.

LUKE 7:14-15 (CEB)
Jesus said,“Young man, I say to you, get up.” 

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus' sovereignty extends even to the realm of death. 

DAILY FODDER
Jesus not only temporarily restored dead people back to life but he permanently overcame death himself, paving the way for the permanent bodily restoration of all people.  

PRAYER
Sovereign Lord, I'm grateful that you even control death and that when the time is right we'll all join in your resurrection. Forgive me for living as though death is the final word. Start now restoring eternal life in me so that the fear and culture of death are totally disarmed — even before my resurrection moment. This is life greater than ever. 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.

KINDNESS

JONAH 4:4 (ABP)
GOD replied to Jonah, "What qualifies you to be so angry over my mercy?"

LUKE 6:36 (MSG)
Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

THE ESSENCE
Don't bypass an opportunity to show kindness. 

DAILY FODDER
What God-acceptible criteria is there for disqualifying someone from receiving your kindness and mercy? 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, there is an incomprehensible wideness to your mercy. I, on the other hand, struggle to muster enough empathy to live out basic kindness. Open my eyes to the depths of your kindness and through the prompting of your Spirit nudge me into that lane. I want to be kind, as you are kind. I can only do that in partnership with 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.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE GOD

1 KINGS 1911-12 (CEB)
A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet.

JOHN 1:18 (GNT)
No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

THE ESSENCE
Even though God is an unknowable mystery, Jesus makes him known. 

DAILY FODDER
If you really really want to know what God is like, you'll  pay attention to Jesus. He's the starting point and ending point for all our inquiry. 

PRAYER
Almighty God, the power in nature alerts us to your presence, even though we can't  see you in nature. But then you make yourself known in a definitive way through Jesus. Forgive us for demanding additional signs. Help me to become a thoroughly committed apprentice of Jesus. I want to know him and make him known. 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.

ADMIT IT

2 SAMUEL 24:10 (MSG)
And David prayed to God, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I’ve been really stupid.”

1 JOHN 1:9 (MSG)
On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

THE ESSENCE
When we own up to our failures — our sins — God repairs our relationship.

DAILY FODDER
What stands in the way of admitting our sin to God? 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, some days the realization of the depths of my guilt overwhelms. As I speak my confession, I am cleansed. Gratitude fills my soul from your redeeming words of love. Like David, I continue to pray for any shame or guilt to be removed from my soul. Today is a new beginning! 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.