F.O.G.—Friend of God

EXODUS 33:11 (ABP)
GOD would carry on conversations with Moses, speaking to him face-to-face, just like one talks with a friend.

JOHN 15:15 (MSG)
I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Through Christ Jesus, God relates to us as friends.

DAILY FODDER
How does it make you feel when you realize that God calls you a "friend?" What does that change about the way you relate to him?

PRAYER
Even when no one else is interested in being my friend, you, the God of the universe, call me "friend." I'm honored by your attention—even though I'm a flakey and self-centered companion. Show me how to live as a faithful friend and how to enjoy true friendship with you. I'm going to allow our relationship to alter the way I live. 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! 

KIND BUT NOT SOFT

1 SAMUEL 2:30 (MSG/alt)
GOD says,
I honor those who honor me;
those who scorn me I demean.

ROMANS 2:4 (MSG)
You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
"God is kind, but he's not soft."

DAILY FODDER
God is radical in his kindness but he is not a carpet that we can walk on. What exactly does God expect us to do?

PRAYER
Glorious God, I am grateful that your kindness is so vast and far-reaching. Forgive me for taking it for granted and living as though I can do as I please because you understand me. Help me to turn away from everything that is contrary to you and your ways. Through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit I'm going to do things your 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! 

ADVOCATING FOR THE POOR

PSALM 140:12 (CEV)
Our LORD, I know that you
   defend the homeless
and see that the poor
   are given justice.

LUKE 6:20 (CEV)
God will bless you people
   who are poor.
His kingdom belongs to you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God takes up the cause of the poor.

DAILY FODDER
If God defends the poor, what does that suggest about our relationship with those who are needy?

PRAYER
Protector of the powerless, forgive me for thinking my job is to be successful, strong, and immutable. Jesus came for those who were poor, powerless, and vulnerable. Realign my perspective to the reality of my true condition. Teach me to embrace what you value and become your follower so true justice reigns and gives hope to the lost. 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! 

ANGELS GUARDING YOU

PSALM 91:11-12 (CEV)
God will command his angels
   to protect you
   wherever you go.
They will carry you
   in their arms,
   and you won't hurt your feet
   on the stones.

MATTHEW 2:13 (NLT)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God has angels assigned to look out for his people.

DAILY FODDER
How does the idea that God has angels guarding his people make you feel?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for caring so much about us that you'd assign angels to guard us. Forgive me for assuming that you don't care just because there are troubles in my life. Help me to be aware of how much you are doing behind the scenes to keep us safe. Even though I may never know what your angels are up to on my behalf I am going to assume that they are there and that I'm safe because of your gracious attention. 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!