FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

PSALM 119:2 (ABP)
Those who give themselves to following God's instructions live happy and content lives. And we're not just talking about appearances but about pursuing his ways with 100% of who they are.

MATTHEW 5:19 (MSG)
Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Honor comes when we give ourseves to following God's instructions. 

DAILY FODDER
Is it even possible to live 100% according to God's law? How do we take both our inadequacies and the expectations of obedience seriously?

PRAYER
In your love, God, you have instructed us in how to live. For that I'm grateful. But I'm also frustrated that the bar is too high for me — even with my good intentions. I recognize that Christ himself is the only one who gets it 100%. So, thank you for sending him and allowing me to ride on his coattails. That good news energizes me to pursue your ways with all of who I am — the person you're reshaping into his perfect image. 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! 

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

JUDGES 8:23 (CEV)
“No,” Gideon replied, “I won't be your king, and my son won't be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler.”

MATTHEW 23:11 (CEV)
Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Great leadership is about stepping away from opportunities to be the authority in charge. 

DAILY FODDER
The notion of servant leadership sometimes feels romantic or noble until someone starts treating you like a servant.

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you led by setting aside your power and authority to step down into humanity. And we treated you like dirt. Forgive me for lusting after power and control — even when I want it so I can do good. Lead me to become the type of servant leader you are. I'm going to influence the world around me by following in your footsteps. 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! 

MAINTAINING HOPE

1 CHRONICLES 29:15 (MSG)
As far as you’re concerned, we’re homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 (MSG)
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Through Christ we maintain hope in spite of our temporal, sometimes painful, lives.

DAILY FODDER
What tries to whittle away at your hope? How do you resist?

PRAYER
Eternal God, left to myself I am utterly hopeless. Praise and thanks to you, I am never left to myself. My life is gathered into the risen life of Christ. Alleluia! Inspire me to proclaim my great confidence in word and deed today, so that your peace may reign in other hearts, and your name be blessed. 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 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! 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

PROVERBS 16:7 (CEV)
When we please the LORD,
even our enemies
make friends with us.

MATTHEW 5:44-45 (CEV)
But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we’re in sync with God and his ways we end up making friends out of enemies.

DAILY FODDER
Proverbs, such as 16:7, are intended to be rules of thumb rather than precise promises. But even if there are times when enemies succeed in resisting love, consider the overall positive impact that comes from loving our enemies.

PRAYER
Gracious God, while we were living as your enemies you were busy loving us and through Christ making a way for us to become a part of your family. I confess that I've been slow to adopt your approach to the negative people in my life.  It's really disruptive to my assumptions and attitudes. Give me a fresh vision for my enemies, and energy to pursue it. I'm going to do this Jesus' way. 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!