I’ll finish off all the godless nations
Among which I’ve scattered you,
but I won’t finish you off.
I’ll punish you, but fairly.
I won’t send you off with just a slap on the wrist.
ROMANS 2:4 (MSG)
God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.
THE ESSENCE
God is kind, but he’s not soft.
DAILY FODDER
Are you more likely to think of God as an eternal teddy bear or a vindictive wild beast? How is thinking of him as kind different from either of the other two approaches?
PRAYER
Forgiving Lord, I often misinterpret your disciplining hand. Unlike me, when confronting wrongs you work through lovingkindness to redirect. Unfortunately, I too often long for revenge. Open my heart to understand your ways of redemption rather than retribution. Today, school me in your loving plan and heal my wounded heart. 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.
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.
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.
