LIVING FOREVER

PSALM 138:2 (MSG)
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.

1 PETER 1:23 (NLT)
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The eternal living word of God is the source of our new forever lives. 

DAILY FODDER
In this context what exactly is "the eternal living word of God"? If you knew that you were already living an eternal life, how would that change the way you go about living today?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for Christ the living Word, who establishes us in our forever lives. I don't fully understand the implications of forever, so I get hung up on the ever-changing temporal crisis of the moment. Speak to me through your written word so that I might more fully see what you're graciously doing on our behalf. I'm going to live now recognizing that death is merely a portal into the greater part of my life. 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 there.

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 would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

GO...

ISAIAH 49:26 (CEV)
Then everyone will know
that the LORD is our Savior;
the powerful God of Israel
has rescued his people.

MATTHEW 28:18-20 (MSG)
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We've been commissioned to go and train everyone, everywhere, in the ways of our Savior.

DAILY FODDER
Think of one person who needs to grow in their relationship with Christ as Savior. Pray for them and ask God to open the door for a conversation about Jesus. If nothing happens keep praying until opportunity and words come together.

PRAYER
Thank you, Savior God, for trusting us with the task of spreading your good news around the world. I confess, though, that I have a hard time seeing across the table. Expand my vision and energize me for this great mission, even while I'm engaging the person across the table. I want to be a part of helping everyone, everywhere experience the new life that has come into the world defeating the forces of death. 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 there.

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 would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

DARK DAYS

PSALM 23:4 (ABP)
Even on the darkest of days, when I'm staring down death, I remain unrattled knowing that you're at my side. Your big shepherd's stick keeps me feeling safe.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 (CEB)
We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even on the darkest of days God's presence keeps us going.

DAILY FODDER
How or when has God carried you through a difficult time? 

PRAYER
Dearest Savior, you've  accompanied me through the darkest moments I've experienced. I don't know why it is, then, that I get anxious about what the future might bring. Keep your loyal faithfulness fresh and active in my mind. I'm going to trust you for the future. 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 there.

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 would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!

SEMPER PARATUS

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

HABAKKUK 2:3 (MSG)
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time.

1 PETER 4:7-8 (ABP)
Since the culmination of everything is at hand double down on self-control. And keep your head clear so that through prayer you can tune into what God is doing. Make sure that you stoke the flames of love for each other through constant attention.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay focused on what is coming. 

DAILY FODDER
I love the motto of the US Coast Guard — Semper Paratus — "always ready!" That is, they want to maintain vigilance so they can rescue people and protect the country. It's not a matter of "if" a crisis occurs but of "when" a crisis occurs. Coasties allow the inevitable to define what they are doing right now. So it should be for followers of Jesus.

PRAYER
God, you've  promised to wrap things up at some point and through Christ to right all the wrongs. I confess that I'm among the short-sighted people who lose focus if I have to wait too long. Keep me self-controled and tuned into what you're doing and saying during the lead up to the grand finale. I'm going to be semper paratus. 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 there.

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 would protect us from all forms of evil.
Amen!