LIVE THE LIFE

PSALM 142:5 (NLT)
Then I pray to you, O LORD.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.

LUKE 20:38 (CEB)
He isn’t the God of the dead but of the living. To him they are all alive.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay alive by staying in Christ.

PRAYER
Jesus, give me eyes to see the world as you see it. Forgive me for classifying people as saved or condemned, alive or dead. Let me leave judgment to you and instead embrace others in the family of your life. Let me dance instead of doubt, sing instead of censure, rejoice instead of rebuke. This may not be a safe life, but it is good! Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

ENDURE

EXODUS 16:11-12 (CEB)
The Lord spoke to Moses, “I’ve heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat. And in the morning you will have your fill of bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

HEBREWS 10:36 (CEV)
Learn to be patient, so that you will please God and be given what he has promised.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Endure the tough times with patience and in the end what God has promised will be yours.

PRAYER
God, thank you for your faithfulness and your call to endurance. I confess that I'm inclined toward spiritual sprints -- occasional bursts of energy directed toward you and your goals. I know that you're looking for endurance runners who build up to running spiritual marathons. Coach me in patient endurance. I'm going to quit whining about the difficulties and embrace some long-term thinking. Amen.

FREEDOM

ISAIAH 61:1 (CEV)
The Spirit of the LORD God
has taken control of me!
The LORD has chosen and sent me
to tell the oppressed
the good news,
to heal the brokenhearted,
and to announce freedom
for prisoners and captives.

GALATIANS 5:1 (CEV)
Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves of the Law again.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ has set us free to serve him -- and him alone.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for setting us free from the things which truly oppress us. I acknowledge that I don't really understand what that freedom means and often confuse it with acquiring personal power. Help me to grasp the breadth of this freedom which Christ has secured -- and to more fully serve him and his agenda for the world. I'm going to live with real freedom. Amen.

GOD'S AID

PSALM 3:2-3 (CEB)
So many are talking about me:
     "Even God won’t help him."

But you, Lord, are my shield!
     You are my glory!
     You are the one who restores me.

LUKE 1:49 (NTE)
The Powerful One, whose name is Holy,
has done great things for me, for me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is no limit to God's aid when we are on his side.

PRAYER
God, when everyone is eager to blow me off you stick with me. Forgive me for getting caught up in the drama of the world and forgetting to stay close to you and your protective shield. Keep reminding me of how you have carried me through the turmoils of the past so that I can trust you in the present and the future. Amen.