ROOTS

PSALM 25:3 (MSG)
Don’t embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.

LUKE 8:13 (TCEB)
Seeds that fall on rock represent people who hear the words about God’s kingdom and are happy to believe the message. But they believe it for only a short while. That’s because the message doesn’t take root in their life. When the storms of life blow in, the seeds blow away.

THE ESSENCE
Those who sink down roots in the Kingdom of God have staying power.

DAILY FODDER
How does one sink down roots in the Kingdom of God? How do storms in life actually help us sink down roots? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, you're totally faithful. I never have worries about your reliability. I am concerned, however, about whether my roots go down deep enough to weather a storm. Nurture depth in my life so that my faith is more than a passing fad. I want to be more than enthusiastic about you and my place in Jesus' kingdom. 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.

WORSHIPER OR WHINER?

PSALM 113:3 (MSG)
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
   keep lifting all your praises to GOD!

REVELATION 14:7 (GNT)
Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!

THE ESSENCE
Our universal assignment is to offer worship and praise to God, the creator of all.

DAILY FODDER
How does ongoing worship of God play out in your life? What does it look like? How do you keep it going? 

PRAYER
Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything in between, you are worthy of all praise and worship. I confess, though, that I let the worries of the world preempt my praise. I get distracted and end up whining about everything wrong instead of focusing on what you're up to. Refocus my life so that my whining diminishes and my praise rises. You deserve as much. 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.

DEATH

PSALM 141:8 (GNT)
I keep trusting in you, my Sovereign Lord.
I seek your protection;
   don't let me die!

1 CORINTHIANS 15:55, 57 (GNT)
“Where, Death, is your victory?
Where, Death, is your power to hurt?”
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

THE ESSENCE
Because of our connection to Jesus, death is no longer the final word in our lives.  

DAILY FODDER
On a scale of 1-10, how much anxiety does the idea of your death produce? How does Jesus' resurrection affect your place on that scale? 

PRAYER
Lord, you overcame sin, death, and the evil one. I am often fixated on death, afraid because death feels so final. Help me to fix my eyes on you and your promises. You are my living hope. You have promised me victory over the grave. In you I have life everlasting. 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 LOVES...

ZECHARIAH 2:8 (GNT)
Anyone who strikes you strikes what is most precious to me.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:28 (GNT)
He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.

THE ESSENCE
God loves and chooses to partner with the weak and marginalized.

DAILY FODDER
What are the implications of God's choices for how we prioritize our energy?

PRAYER
Lord, how is it that you love me so much? I feel unworthy of your love because of my sin, and yet, you forgive and renew me and make my lowly life beautiful in Christ. By your grace, I am the apple of your eye. Teach me to love others as you love 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.