LISTENING

1 SAMUEL 3:9 (CEB)
Speak, LORD. Your servant is listening.

MATTHEW 7:24 (CEB)
Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock.

THE ESSENCE
The wise person listens to the Lord's direction and then acts accordingly.

DAILY FODDER
How has God spoken to you? What is he saying today? 

PRAYER
Thank you again, Lord, for sharing your wisdom with us. I regret that I am so busy trying to run my life that I often miss what you're saying. Teach me how to listen. Come run my life so that I can better listen and participate in your messaging to the world you love. May your words fill me and shape the way I live, bringing full honor to Christ Jesus, your living 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.

RESCUE AND REVIVE

PSALM 71:20 (CEB)
You, who have shown me many troubles and calamities, will revive me once more.

2 PETER 2:9 (CEB)
These things show that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials...

THE ESSENCE
The Lord is a rescue and revival specialist.

DAILY FODDER
After the firefighter rescues someone from a burning building, she turns her attention to reviving the victim with oxygen or CPR. In addition to fighting fires, firefighters are both rescue and revival specialists. Both rescue and revival are essential during a crisis. 

What in your life is dragging you down right now? How do you tap into the Lord's specialty to reset your life? 

PRAYER
Lord, how comforting to know that your eyes are upon me daily. Forgive me when I try to manage trials and troubles on my own and forget to turn toward you for help. You have promised to rescue and revive me when challenged by daily life — thank you! I turn to you, Lord, seeking wisdom, strength,  and encouragement. 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.

LOOK NO FURTHER

2 CHRONICLES 15:2 (ABP)
GOD will be with you as long as you stay with him. If you look for him, you'll find him. But if you decide you don't need him he'll let you stumble around on your own.

JOHN 4:25-26 (MSG)
The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”
“I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”

THE ESSENCE
Once you discover Jesus, there is no need to look further.

DAILY FODDER
Why stop looking when you've found Jesus? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for making yourself known through your Son. Forgive us for our mindless and endless search for all things new and novel. Help me to selttle down and fully embrace the greatest relationship there is. I know that I don't have to look any further and that I can rest 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.

UNENDING PRAISE

DANIEL 2:20 (GNT)
God is wise and powerful!
Praise him forever and ever.

REVELATION 7:12 (GNT)
“Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!”

THE ESSENCE
We never finish our praise to God.

DAILY FODDER
What does your praise look like? If it needs to go on forever, how are you building the stamina to carry on that long?

PRAYER
Praise you, God, forever and ever. That's easy for me to say but I need more training to be able to sustain it forever. I get easily distracted. Help me to offer ongoing praise as I become aware of even the smallest expressions of your grace. As I consider your wisdom, power, and mercy, I want to be able to offer unending praise. 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.