RESTORATION

PSALM 80:18 (NLT)
Revive us so we can call on your name once more.

LUKE 17:15 (NLT)
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”

THE ESSENCE
Restoration should lead to praise.

DAILY FODDER
Restoration should lead to praise. But only one of the ten who were healed returned to Jesus with praise. So often we ask God for help, with promises to serve him in one way or another. How often do people keep such promises? The amazing thing is that God responds to our requests, knowing full well that he usually won't get so much as a "thank you." His faithfulness is impressive.

PRAYER
 I praise and thank you, God, for the truth that, "underneath are your everlasting arms." Jesus has revealed that your grace and life surround me on every side. Forgive me for my doubts and fears. Set me free to praise you with a loud voice that all around me may hear. 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 CHOICE

PROVERBS 11:19 (ABP)
Right-living people are on the road to life, but those who chase evil are on the freeway to death.

GALATIANS 6:8 (MSG)
What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

THE ESSENCE
You can plant seeds that produce toxic deadly plants or you can sow seeds that produce life-giving plants.  

DAILY FODDER
Whether the metaphor involves roads or plants, the choice is clear. You have to choose the things of life or the things of death. Death is not so much a penalty but a consequence of choosing an existence apart from God and his ways. God graciously gives us a choice.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for giving us a choice. I can choose to embrace you and your ways or I can choose to make my own way, embracing deadly characters and characteristics as I stumble along. I regret that I weave back and forth across lanes of traffic. I'm such a flake. Help me to completely embrace you and your ways. I'm trusting you to set me on the right path and to guide me. I can't make it on my own but you are life-giving. 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.

HONOR

PSALM 34:1 (CEB)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.

EPHESIANS 1:5-6 (CEB)
God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves.

THE ESSENCE
Life is all about honoring God.

DAILY FODDER
In many, if not most, cultures the most important things you do are to give and receive honor. The biblical authors are writing from such a context. So, honoring/praising God is of the utmost importance.  

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as your adopted child it is the greatest honor to praise you. The love of Christ demonstrates that you are worthy. Forgive me for the times when I fail to acknowledge you, focusing my energy on ways I can receive recognition. Grant me the parental gift of self-forgetfulness, received when I welcome Christ each moment and allow him to dominate my life. That is most honorable. 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.

RESURRECTION

PSALM 9:19 (NLT)
Arise, O Lord!
Do not let mere mortals defy you!

MARK 9:31 (GNT)
Jesus was teaching his disciples: “The Son of Man will be handed over to those who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life.”

THE ESSENCE
Resurrection is the final defining word. 

DAILY FODDER
Death couldn't keep Jesus down. And when we're partnered with him, it won't keep us down either.  

PRAYER
Your resurrection power, Lord, is hidden from all who don’t know you. Keep my faith strong. I don't want any fear of others or even of death to hold me back from witnessing to your risen presence. Give me courage to follow you wherever you lead me. My life is hidden in you. 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.