COUNTERING COWARDICE

ZEPHANIAH 3:15 (CEB)
The LORD, the king of Israel, is in your midst;
you will no longer fear evil.

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (CEV)
God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The presence of the Lord squashes fear.

DAILY FODDER

• “I have always thought myself very big and terrible, yet such small things as flowers came near to killing me, and such small animals as mice have saved my life. How strange it all is!”
  - Cowardly Lion, ‘The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz’
• When it comes to using the gifts that God has given to you why are you reluctant to put yourself out there? Practically speaking how does one counter this kind of cowardice?

PRAYER
King of Israel, you are in our midst; therefore, I need not succumb to fear or cowardice. You have given me yourself. In you, my fears and my reluctance are replaced with a renewed spirit. Rule and reign in me. Pour forth your power, love, and self-discipline in all I say or do. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

REMEMBER...

JEREMIAH 51:50 (NLT)
Remember the LORD, though you are in a far-off land,
and think about your home in Jerusalem,

EPHESIANS 2:19 (MSG)
You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Regardless of circumstances, remember who you are as members of Christ's household.

DAILY FODDER
So many of the bad things which happen in the Bible can be traced to people forgetting who the Lord is or what he's done. It's no surprise, then, that one of the most frequent commands in the Bible is to "remember." What hinders you from remembering your place as a beloved member of God's family? What can you do about your memory lapses?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for including me at the table of Christ. But I sometimes forget who I am and where I belong. I get sucked into trying to blaze my own trail forward. Continue to refresh my memory of all that Christ has done to secure for me a place at the family table. With your help, I'll not forget. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

HONOR GOD

The Second Sunday of Easter

PSALM 99:5 (MSG)

Honor GOD, our God;

worship his rule!

Holy. Yes, holy.

ACTS 4:31 (MSG)
While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you want to shake things up worship God and him alone.

DAILY FODDER
Why is it that some moments of worship are so transformative and others feel routine? Is that good or bad?

PRAYER
Glorious God, we honor you as none other for there is none like you. Yet we hesitate at times. Refill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can honor you by courageously sharing your good news with all in our realms of influence. Expand our networks so that the whole world is shaken by the news of the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Nothing is going to stop me from worshipping you through word and deed. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

GOD IS ABOVE ALL

JOB 9:4 (CEV)

God is wise and powerful—

who could possibly

oppose him and win?

ROMANS 9:20 (CEB)
You are only a human being. Who do you think you are to talk back to God?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even though God graciously makes himself available to us that doesn't mean that we're on the same level.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever told God what he should do? How did that work out?

PRAYER
Gracious God, because you are so accessible it is easy for me to slide into presumptuousness -- to act like my opinion is equal to yours. I confess that I pretend to know more than I do so that I can save face and get ahead in the world. Gently help me put things in perspective so that I can become less concerned about advancing my own agenda and more committed to listening to you. I'm going to do less talking and more listening, Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.