GREAT LOVE

JOB 37:5 (ABP)
God does incredible things that are beyond human comprehension.

MATTHEW 5:45 (TCEB)
For he shows his love to everyone. He brings the sun up in the morning and makes it shine on the bad and the good. And he sends the rain to shower the innocent and the guilty.

THE ESSENCE
The depths of God's love and care are incomprehensible and inexplicable. 

DAILY FODDER
Even though God's actions are incomprehensible he reveals enough that anyone can turn to him. 

PRAYER
God, I don't understand your ways. But while I have only a point of view, you have the full view. Thank you for the grace that covers everyone, even people I struggle to love. When injustice oppresses me and others, remind me that I already have all I need. Grant me the joy of celebrating your love for all. 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 ALONE

DEUTERONOMY 10:21 (NLT)
He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise...

JOHN 16:27 (GNT)
The Father himself loves you.

THE ESSENCE
We can always look to God because he loves us.  

DAILY FODDER
What does God get out of loving us? What does God need to get? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, as your beloved child I am thankful I can talk with you anytime, from any distance. I regret that I distrust and distort the clear line of communication made possible by Jesus. Grant me the courage to claim your word with authority. Help me to see the people who need assurance they can call on 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.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

PSALM 150:2 (TCEB)
Thank him for his awesome work.
Praise him for how awesome he is.

COLOSSIANS 3:16 (TCEB)
Keep the stories and teachings of Jesus alive in your life—vibrantly alive. Draw from them wisely as you teach each other and as you correct each other when necessary. You’ll also find help by singing psalms, hymns, and other spiritual songs. Sing them all with gratitude in your heart for what God has done.

THE ESSENCE
Praise God through your thankfulness. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the difference between thankfulness and praise? How does thankfulness fuel praise? How do we maintain a high level of thanksgiving and praise in our lives? 

PRAYER
Awesome God, when I consider all that you have done and are doing I'm thankful. And when I think about it, it helps me recognize who you are as a being. Forgive me for failing to make the connections because I'm so caught up in everything that I am unaware. Fill my life with the kind of teaching and singing that draws out the gratitude and ultimately the praise that is rightfully yours. I'm going to allow the Jesus story to nurture thanksgiving and 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.

TELLING

PSALM 89:1 (TCEB)
I will never stop singing of the kindness of the LORD.
I’ll tell people young and old that they can trust you.

MARK 16:20 (TCEB)
The disciples hit the road, telling the story of Jesus everywhere they went. The Lord worked alongside them, backing up their message with miracles.

THE ESSENCE
When you have the story of God's faithfulness through Jesus inside you, you can't help but tell it.

DAILY FODDER
Telling definitely involves words but it's more telling if words are backed up with action. There is a saying attributed to St Francis which, even though there is no evidence he actually said it, rings true. "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words."

PRAYER
Risen Savior, thank you for partnering with us to bring your good news to the world. Forgive us for being so self-consumed that we worry over our ability to effectively share your story. Unleash your Spirit in our situations so that we might naturally and confidently tell your story, backed up by miracles appropriate for the moment. I’ll tell people young and old that they can trust 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.