EXCLUSIVITY OF GOD

ISAIAH 43:11 (MSG)
I, yes I, am GOD.
I’m the only Savior there is.

JOHN 17:3 (CEB)
This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is an exclusiveness about God, which is good news for those who know him.

DAILY FODDER
Would you say that you "know" God? Why or why not?

PRAYER
Awesome Savior, you're it! You are the only real God -- the only one worthy of our attention -- the only one I need to know. Success, according to the world's standards, is defined by autonomy; but real life only comes our way through you. Forgive me for being embarrassed by your exclusivity. And help me to graciously communicate what you the one and only God are offering to all who will accept it. You are at the same time exclusive and inclusive. 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!

FEAR AND LOVE CANNOT CO-EXIST

GENESIS 3:8 (CEB)
The man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God in the middle of the garden’s trees.

1 JOHN 4:18 (MSG)
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Fear and love cannot co-exist.

DAILY FODDER
The opposite of love, at least the way God does it, is not hate but fear. What are you afraid of? How does naming that fear subjugate it to love?

PRAYER
Loving God, the better I know you the less fearful I am. I admit that as I allow my mind to drift I get sucked into the realm of fear. Renew my experience of your love so that the things which make me afraid are in healthy perspective. Because of who you are and what you've done I'm not going to give fear a foothold in my life. To the contrary, I'm going to live as an agent of your love — the love most clearly expressed through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. 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!

WHEN YOU MEET...

PSALM 35:18 (CEV)
And when your people meet,
I will praise you
and thank you, Lord,
in front of them all.

EPHESIANS 5:19 (CEV)
When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The biblical assumption is that God's people will meet together to honor him. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is it important to God that there is a collective dimension to our relationship? Why is it important for you as an individual believer to participate in such a gathering? But what if you don't Iike the way that others worship — that it fails to move you spiritually?

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for calling us together to worship. I confess that I sometimes have a bad attitude about worship service. I find so many things to dislike about the way others do music, preach, or lead prayers. Help me to shift gears so that it isn't so much about me and my preferences. Help me to keep the focus on you and what you are doing in my life and the lives of others. When we meet I'm going to bring my worship and gratitude rather than my critical attitude. 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!

GOOD SHEPHERD

PSALM 23:3 (CEV)
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.

JOHN 10:14 (CEV)
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Like a master shepherd, Jesus lovingly leads us to where we need to be.

DAILY FODDER
What is it that you find to be so difficult about following?

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, thank you for leading. You know everything about me and everything about what lies ahead -- and you set a path. I confess that I have a bit of a sheep brain and I'm easily distracted by the things happening along the pathway. Give me the ability to focus and tune into your voice so I can stay on the path. I'm going to trust you to lead me to green pastures. 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!