ARMOR UP IN COURAGE

JOSHUA 1:9 (TCEB)
Here are your orders. Be strong. Armor up in courage.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:9-10 (TCEB)
I kid you not, I felt like someone had sentenced me to death. That’s when I decided to let go. I stopped trusting in myself. I started trusting in the God who can raise the dead. He saved us from the brink of death. He’ll keep on rescuing us. We’re counting on him to save us once again.

THE ESSENCE
Our collective past history with God strongly suggests that we have good reason to act courageously when facing opposition. 

DAILY FODDER
This is the kind of courage rooted in trust of God rather than some kind of personal inner strength or self-confidence. 

PRAYER
My source of strength, you have commanded me to be strong and courageous, yet too often I rely on my own strength instead of yours. In times of despair, you have been my rescuer, delivering me repeatedly. When I do not have the answers, help me move forward with faith, relying on you as my true source of strength. 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.

DRINK!

ISAIAH 55:1 (ABP)
Hey, everyone who's thirsty should come. Here's drinking water!

JOHN 6:35 (ABP)
Jesus said, "Whoever puts their trust in me will never get thirsty."

THE ESSENCE
When we accompany Jesus through life we never have to worry about getting thirsty.  

DAILY FODDER
Why is physical thirst used so often in the Bible as a powerful metaphor for spiritual neediness? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm thankful that I don't need to worry about either physical or spiritual thirst. You take good care of me. But I confess that I don't drink enough of the water you so freely supply. I can't be bothered to pause throughout the day to drink. And frankly, I often just forget — until I get dangerously thirsty. Remind me to take frequent small sips so I can stay hydrated. I'm trusting that you will meet all my needs because that's the kind of God you are. 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.

SOMETIMES GOD SENDS ANGELS

GENESIS 32:1 (GNT)
As Jacob went on his way, some angels met him.

ACTS 27:23-24 (GNT)
For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship came to me and said, ‘Don't be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Emperor. And God in his goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you.’

THE ESSENCE
Sometimes God sends angels.

DAILY FODDER
Just thinking out loud — could it be that God sometimes sends angels to do his bidding because he knows that we'd be overwhelmed by his direct glorious presence?

PRAYER
Great and glorious God, thank you for intervening in my situation, even if it sometimes involves angels. Forgive me for limiting my perspective to what I in my narrow view can see. I want to trust you when I'm facing "situations." I'm not going to limit my thinking to the conventional. 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.

NO WASTED EFFORT

ISAIAH 49:4 (MSG)
But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.
I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.
Nevertheless, I’ll let God have the last word.
I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

LUKE 5:5 (ABP)
Simon replied, “Master, we’ve been busting our butts all night and haven't caught a single fish. But because you say so, I’ll toss the nets again.”

THE ESSENCE
When we’re working in harmony with the Lord, nothing we do is a waste of effort.

DAILY FODDER
If God has called you to do something, even if you’re not seeing any fruit, don't give up until he releases you from the assignment. 

PRAYER
Jesus, like the disciples who you told to cast their nets again after a fruitless night, I come to you, knowing you have power and authority over my life. When my efforts feel in vain and hope fades, help me persevere with unwavering faith. Increase my confidence in your word and steadfastness to follow all your ways. 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.