GOD'S GLORIOUS PRESENCE

2 CHRONICLES 5:13-14 (CEB)
The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the Lord as one. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, they began to sing, praising the Lord:
     Yes, God is good!
     Yes, God’s faithful love lasts forever!
Then a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. The priests were unable to carry out their duties on account of the cloud because the Lord’s glory filled God’s temple.

REVELATION 21:2, 23 (NLT)
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven... And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we're living in the light of God's glory nothing more is needed.

DAILY FODDER
What makes you so aware of God's presence that you have to stop doing everything else?

PRAYER
Good and faithful God, when you reveal your presence everything comes to a stop — our sinful propensities, injustices, controversies, pontificating, even our feeble attempts at worship. Help me to let go of the non-necessities so I can bask in your presence and serve as a mirror of your light. I'm going to live an undistracted life in your eternal loving presence. 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!

DEPEND ON GOD

PSALM 62:7 (ABP)
I'm depending on God for both my salvation and my reputation.

LUKE 8:48 (MSG)
Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we take the risk and depend on God we are not disappointed.

DAILY FODDER
When you are not depending on God, in whom or what are you trusting? How does that work out for you?

PRAYER
God, throughout history you have demonstrated your dependability. Forgive me for slipping into a self-reliant way of thinking and acting. I carry that weight on my shoulders and I need you to release me from it. I'm going to trust you for each and every detail in the world and my life so I can live well and blessed. 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!

GOD IS HERE

PSALM 74:2 (MSG)
Refresh your memory of us—you bought us a long time ago.
Your most precious tribe—you paid a good price for us!

MATTHEW 18:20 (MSG)
And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We may be a small group of misfits but God still remembers us, his precious people.

DAILY FODDER
What's wrong with thinking that in the church bigger is better? What's right in thinking that in the church bigger is better?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for being present with us—even though we're an unimpressive lot. Forgive us for thinking that we don't amount to much because we are a rag tag crew struggling to hold things together. Help us to recognize your presence and respond accordingly. We're not much to look at but because you're with us we can be a part of your operation to remodel the world through Christ. 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!

GOD'S ACTIONS

PSALM 150:2 (CEV)
Praise our God!
His deeds are wonderful,
too marvelous to describe.

ROMANS 1:20 (CEB)
Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's actions through creation speak loudly (to those willing to listen).

DAILY FODDER
How has the created environment spoken to you today about who God is?

PRAYER
All earth and heaven sing of your glory, O God. I am grateful to join the chorus of creation. I regret that I don't always pause to enjoy the holy harmony that hums around me. In this moment, help me to listen to the ways the environment surrounding me sings your praise. Maybe that's enough for today. 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 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!