FRUITFULNESS

JEREMIAH 17:7-8 (CEB)
Happy are those who trust in the Lord,
   who rely on the Lord.
They will be like trees planted by the streams,
   whose roots reach down to the water.
They won’t fear drought when it comes;
   their leaves will remain green.
They won’t be stressed in the time of drought
   or fail to bear fruit.

GALATIANS 5:22-23 (CEB)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Fruitfulness is the measure of a healthy relationship with the Lord.

DAILY FODDER
How fruitful is your life? How can you increase fruitfulness in your life? 

PRAYER
Jesus, how satisfying it is to be planted and rooted in you. Forgive me for choosing to indulge the old nature instead of the new one you lovingly implanted in me. Your Spirit flowing through me gives me life and joy—I want more, Lord! May my life, words, and actions display you at work within me. 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! 

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!