LOVE IS THE BOTTOM LINE

HOSEA 6:6 (MSG)
I’m after love that lasts, not more religion.
I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.

ROMANS 13:10 (MSG)
When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God isn't as interested in good religion as he is in consistent love.
 
DAILY FODDER
Why is it easier to get caught up in getting our faith practices right than it is in loving the unlovable?

PRAYER
Steadfast Lord, I am filled with awe that you want me to know you. My distracted desires turn your words into a to-do list that keeps you and my neighbors at a distance. Change me, Lord Jesus. Warm my heart by the loving gift of your sacrifice. May your love lead me to love others. 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.

LISTEN, DO, BLESSING

1 SAMUEL 12:14-15 (MSG)
If both you and your king follow GOD, no problem. GOD will be sure to save you. But if you don’t obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.

JAMES 1:25 (CEV)
But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Listening to God + acting on what he says = great blessing
 
DAILY FODDER
What is God's word saying to you these days?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for all the instruction that you've  given to us. Forgive us when we treat your message as a lifeless set of rules which we use to condemn ourselves and others. Indeed, we're all inconsistent and your instructions whistle through our heads without lodging into our hearts. Slow me down so that your message sticks and becomes a part of my life. I know how things go sideways when I don't listen, so, empowered by your Spirit I'm going to listen and do. 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.

THE SPIRIT

EZEKIEL 37:14 (CEV)
My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the LORD, have spoken.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:17 (CEV)
The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets us free.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's Spirit sets us free from everything that sucks life from us, restoring life in his people.  
 
DAILY FODDER
What is sucking life out of you? Have you asked God to set you free from such things?

PRAYER
Holy Lord, thank you for placing your life-giving Spirit within me. I often mistake real freedom as living according to my own spirit. But then I am captive to myself. Come, Holy Spirit. Resettle my heart in the promised land of your forgiving presence. My true freedom comes only from being known by 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.

GOD'S GOOD DEEDS

PSALM 103:2,3 (NLT)
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.

1 JOHN 4:10 (CEV)
Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Continue to remember all that God lovingly does for us.  
 
DAILY FODDER
What is the most significant thing, to date, that God has done for you? How do you celebrate that?  

PRAYER
Loving God, we can't possibly know all that you've done for us. Everything from creation, to partnering with us to oversee the creation, to the forgiveness that Christ secured through the cross—it's all a gift to be remembered and celebrated. I confess, though, that I'm easily distracted by lesser matters, and forget what's truly important. Grant me, please, an active memory and a heart eager to rejoice in your good deeds. May I never forget the good things you do for me. 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.