WORDS

EXODUS 20:16 (CEV)
Do not tell lies about others.

EPHESIANS 4:29 (ABP)
Eliminate all sharp or foul language. Let only helpful and edifying words flow from your lips. In that way your listeners will actually benefit from what you say.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Rather than talking to advance your personal agenda or to vent your frusration, carefully speak in ways that benefit others.

DAILY FODDER
If you had to assign numberical values to your speech, what percentage of your words are spoken to benefit yourself and what percentage are spoken to lift up others?

PRAYER
God, your words are life-giving. Too often, though, my works suck life out of others. And I'm not even aware of it until they come out of my mouth, if at all. Grant me, please, the wisdom to recognize what's going on before I speak and the humility to apologize when I speak too quickly. Because I'm attached to you through Jesus, the Living Word, I'm going to pay more attention to my words. 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.

FOMO

2 KINGS 19:34 (MSG)
The Lord says, "I’ll shield this city, I’ll save this city,
for my sake and for David’s sake."

LUKE 12:32 (MSG)
Jesus says, "Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't be afraid because you aren't in power but be ready to share in Jesus' reign.

DAILY FODDER
Over what do you feel powerless? How do people typically respond to their lack of power in a given situation? How does Jesus advise his followers to respond in situations where they don't have control?

PRAYER
God, over and over again you remind us that we don't need to be afraid. Yet, we let fear inch into our lives and end up making ungodly decisions in our attempts to take control of desperate situations. Calm me down and teach me how to live without panic. Because of you, I'm going to maintain a non-anxious presence, no matter what happens. 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.

BLESSED TO BLESS

ZECHARIAH 8:13 (NLT)
Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:5 (CEV)
We don't have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all we do.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is the source of all the good that flows through us.

DAILY FODDER
How does an overestimation or an underestimation of the good flowing through us obstruct the flow?

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for all the ways that you have blessed us. I confess that I sometimes feel prideful about how talented and gifted I am -- as though I've brought it all on myself. But I am looking to you to keep me straight on that matter. I want to acknowledge that you are the sole source of all the good I have and to look for ways of passing those blessings on to others. 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.

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.