DRESS IN HUMILITY

ISAIAH 5:21 (ABP)
You think of yourselves as smart and clever, but the fact is that your arrogance seals your devastating fate.

1 PETER 5:5 (NLT)
Dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Self confidence doesn't get you very far in God's economy but humility opens all kinds of doors. 
 
DAILY FODDER
Why do you think Peter uses clothing as a metphor for humility? How do you know if you're dressing in humility?

PRAYER
Humble Savior, I aspire to dress like you. Thank you for offering grace to those who show humility to each other. Forgive my longing to appear wise in my own eyes. Help me think less of myself and focus more on your humble servant example. Today I will encourage my loved ones. 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! 

SIGH

PSALM 31:21-22 (MSG)
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.

ROMANS 8:26 (MSG)
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is there for us, even when we are overwhelmed to the point of paralysis.
 
DAILY FODDER
Have you ever felt like giving up on God only to surprisingly discover that he'd been there listening to your lame disjointed prayers the whole time?

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful that you are my friend even during the hardest of times. I admit that I easily give up on you when I'm overwhelmed and can't even pray. Help me to recognize your ongoing presence and assistance—assistance which is beyond words. You've given me cause to take the next step of faith. I know that I'm not alone.  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! 

WELCOME!

PSALM 118:26 (MSG)
Blessed are you who enter in GOD’s name...

JOHN 1:12 (ABP)
But everyone who opened their doors wide open to welcome Jesus (that is, those who entrusted their lives to him) he welcomed into his family as God's children.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we welcome Christ he welcomes us.
 
DAILY FODDER
How much of your personal identity is tied up in being a child of God?

PRAYER
Good God, thank you for welcoming me into your family. It's not anything I've done but all the work of Christ. When I get distracted help me to keep the door open to him and his ways. I'm going to follow your lead and seek to extend your hospitality to all I come across. 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! 

SHEPHERDING

EZEKIEL 34:23 (CEB)
I will appoint for them a single shepherd, and he will feed them.

MATTHEW 9:36 (CEB)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our protective and compassionate leader. 
 
DAILY FODDER
We know what God is up to but are we willing to follow him? What stands in the way of you accepting his leadership?

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, thank you for leading me closer to your loving, sheltering presence. You see to my every need. I don't deserve such care, but I gratefully receive it. Forgive my worry and grow my trust in your unending care and provision. Make me aware of how I can shepherd others toward you and for you. 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!