GOD'S GUIDANCE

2 CHRONICLES 18:4 (MSG)
“But before you do anything, ask God for guidance.”

2 TIMOTHY 3:14 (CEB)
You must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Above all, stick with the guidance that God has provided.

DAILY FODDER
In your experience, what distracts you from taking God's guidance seriously? How do you deal with those distractions?

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, for the way that you have led me to this spot in my life. I asked and you delivered the guidance that I needed. I want to acknowledge, though, that I still have a way to go and that I could easily get distracted. Help me to continue to take your guidance seriously. I want everything I do and think to line up with your biblical direction for our lives. 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,

BUILDING UP OTHERS

ZECHARIAH 8:16 (ABP)
This is what you need to do:

• Make sure that what you say is completely true.
• Make sure that every pronouncement you render in your realm of influence, whether it be between friends talking over coffee, or during proceedings in a court of law, sways things to truth, justice, and peace.

ROMANS 14:19 (ABP)
So, let's pour our energy into nurturing harmonious relationships and things that build each other up.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Highlight things that honestly build people up rather than dragging them down.

DAILY FODDER
Why does God want us to prioritize harmony in his church?

PRAYER
God, you are both a straight shooter and a highly relational being.  I OTOH am prone to exageration. I prioritize building myself up over nurturing others. Help me to adopt your priorities. As a follower of Jesus I want my life to mirror yours.  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! 

OBEDIENCE

JEREMIAH 7:23 (CEV)
If you listen to me and do what I tell you, I will be your God, you will be my people...

JOHN 8:31 (MSG)
If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
True discipleship has little to do with wearing the right symbols, using Christianese language, or attending Christian events; but it has everything to do with actually doing what Jesus says to do.

DAILY FODDER
Have you heard the Texas expression, "He's all hat and no horse"? What do you think it means? How is the expression related to what Jesus is saying?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for calling me to be one of your followers. Forgive me for latching onto peripheral Christian things while ignoring the core aspect of obedience. Guide me along a pathway devoted to obedience. I want my life to be about living according to the radical way of 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 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! 

RE-ESTABLISHED

ISAIAH 44:22 (MSG)
I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings.
There’s nothing left of your sins.
Come back to me, come back.
I’ve redeemed you.”

COLOSSIANS 2:14 (ABP)
God erased the record of our offenses, canceling out the legal consequences. It's all gone — nailed to the cross with Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Turn your life back to living the God-defined way because through Jesus he has re-established us as good-standing citizens in his realm.

DAILY FODDER
List all the benefits of what Jesus has done for us.

PRAYER
I'm grateful, Jesus, that you have nailed the record of all my sin to the cross and it is no longer in the way of living a free life. Forgive me for allowing the ghosts of long-canceled personal debts to haunt me. Help me to fully embrace your forgiveness and freedom. I'm not going to allow canceled warrants to hold me back. 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!