HOUSE CLEANING

HABAKKUK 2:4 (NLT)
Look at the proud!
   They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

JAMES 1:21 (MSG)
So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Toss out the trash in your life so that God can faithfully do his thing.

DAILY FODDER
The hard part seems to be parting with the sinful and negative stuff. We feel so powerless when it comes to purging. What can a person do?

PRAYER
God, thank you for the promise of renewal all-ready-complete through Christ and in the process of coming into my life. I am so powerless when it comes to cleaning my house to make room for you. But I know that as I let you in the door you'll take charge and do what I can't do. I'm so grateful. I'm trusting that you'll make it happen. 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 in heaven.

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!

LIFELONG LEARNING

PSALM 119:165 (CEB)
The people who love your Instruction enjoy peace—and lots of it.
There’s no stumbling for them!

COLOSSIANS 3:16 (NLT)
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
A well-formed soul is the result of allowing God's message of Christ to fill and shape your life.

DAILY FODDER
Do you experience God's instruction as an obligation or as a gift? Does emphasizing one aspect over another change things?

PRAYER
God, I love your message to the world. It has changed my life. I haven't progressed as far in the wisdom you impart as I need to be. Show me what to do next. I want to be a full time student of Christ's wisdom. 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 in heaven.

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!

GIFTS

JEREMIAH 31:14 (NLT)
"My people will feast on my good gifts.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"

1 PETER 4:10 (CEB)
And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is full of good gifts.

DAILY FODDER
How does your relationship with God change when it hinges on his generosity? 

PRAYER
Generous God, you're full of good gifts — gifts of life, daily food, homes, abilities and talents that allow us to serve you. Forgive me for failing to be satisfied — living as though I've been short-changed. "If only..." Help me to conciously embrace the gifts you've given to me. I'm going to use what I've been given to serve others in your name. 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 in heaven.

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!

JAIL TIME

GENESIS 39:20-21 (CEB)
While he was in jail, the Lord was with Joseph and remained loyal to him.

ACTS 16:25 (CEB)
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even jail time is redeemable in God's economy.

DAILY FODDER
Can you think of a bad situation from which God didn't immediately spare you but which turned out for the good?

PRAYER
Faithful God, you stick with us through all our troubles. Forgive me for displaying my frustration when you don't immediately rescue me from the difficult situations. Help me to trust you while I'm in "jail." I'm going to be encouraged knowing that you're in the process of turning the negatives of the situation into positives that draw people and honor to Christ. That's redemption. 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 in heaven.

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!