INCREDIBLE JOY

ISAIAH 51:11 (MSG)
In the same way GOD’s ransomed will come back,
come back to Zion cheering, shouting,
Joy eternal wreathing their heads,
exuberant ecstasies transporting them—
and not a sign of moans or groans.

1 PETER 1:8-9 (TCEB)
You’ve never seen Jesus, but you love him. You don’t see him now, either. But you believe in him. And you’ve got an incredible joy, which you can’t begin to put into words. God will reward your faith by saving your soul.

THE ESSENCE
Saving faith in Jesus is characterized by incredible joy. 

DAILY FODDER
What does this joy look like? Dancing? Laughter? Quiet confidence with a smile? Does everyone have to express it in the same way? Maybe it's so big that it can't be put into words.

PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from captivity to sin and gloom. I rejoice in your faithful sacrifice, overshadowing all other sacrifices in history. I regret that much of the time my joy has become an internal experience with little external expression. Free me to fully participate in the excitment of this incredible joyous remaking of the world. I'm not going to let the internet gloomsayers drag me down with every new revelation of social corruption. I'm going to allow your joy to transcend it all. 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.

GOD'S CHILDREN

EZEKIEL 37:27 (MSG)
I’ll live right there with them. I’ll be their God! They’ll be my people!

JOHN 1:12 (ABP)
God extends familial rights and priveleges to everyone who welcomes Jesus and puts their trust in him. They are hereby called "God's children."

THE ESSENCE
Because of Jesus' intervention, we have a family connection with God.

DAILY FODDER
What kinds of privileges come with our inclusion in God's family? Make a list. 

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for setting up a home here among us humans and for through the advocacy of Christ Jesus welcoming us into it as your children. You are close. Forgive us for thinking and living like abandoned orphans. Help me to step into my role as one of your children. I know that this outlook will change the way I live. 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.

READINESS

JOEL 2:21 (CEB)
The day of the LORD is coming. It is near.

MATTHEW 24:44 (NLT)
You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

THE ESSENCE
Since Jesus' big day is right around the corner, we need to maintain a constant state of readiness.

DAILY FODDER
Maintaining a state of readiness isn't so much a special activity. Rather, it is allowing life in the shadow of his return to become the norm that shapes our lives.  

PRAYER
I'm glad, Jesus, each time I hear about your return. I confess, though, that I haven't fully integrated this hope into my daily life. It's more of a special emphasis or occasional awareness. I want to live a more integrated life where I make all decisions and breathe every breath in light of this coming reality. I no longer have to be frustrated with the world as it is because your coming is a done deal. 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.

GOD-LISTENERS

ISAIAH 50:5 (TCEB)
The LORD gave me ears
And I don’t resist using them.
I don’t ignore what he says.

LUKE 10:39 (TCEB)
This woman had a sister named Mary, who set herself near the feet of Jesus and listened as he taught.

THE ESSENCE
We have to become good listeners if we’re to become devoted doers of what Jesus says. 

DAILY FODDER
We often think of prayer as talking to God, but what if we rethought of it as mostly listening to God talk? How can you become a better God-listener?  

PRAYER
Thank you, patient and loving Jesus, for releasing all my senses to learn from you. I'm sorry that sometimes I turn away in rebellion or fear, whether I realize it or not. Draw me near to you this day that I may open my ears to listen, my eyes to see, and my mind to know you more. 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.