EVERYTHING

PSALM 104:14 (CEB)
You make grass grow for cattle;
you make plants for human farming
in order to get food from the ground...

EPHESIANS 5:20 (MSG)
Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Since God is the ultimate source of everything that we need there are unlimited reasons to offer him thanks and praise.
 
DAILY FODDER
Quick! Name ten things right now that God provides for you. Thank him.

PRAYER
Creator of all things, I thank you for the innumerable ways you sustain me and gift me with life abundant. You have redeemed me in Christ Jesus. His name assures me that I am yoked to you forever. Let my prayers of thanks blossom and flourish in me so that I may reveal your lovingkindness. 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.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE GOD

ISAIAH 44:6 (NLT)
I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.

MATTHEW 6:9 (ABP)
Pray in this way, Our Father in Heaven, we hold your name in the highest regard.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is so unique that he doesn't have a peer group.
 
DAILY FODDER
How can you know God if he is so far out there that he is unknowable within our realm of experience?

PRAYER
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Thank you for revealing your unique self to us through Christ Jesus the living Word. When I get frustrated by my inability to take it all in, redirect my attention to him. I can know you through him. 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.

CHRIST OUR SAVIOR HAS COME BEARING GIFTS

ISAIAH 60:16 (MSG)
You’ll know that I, GOD, am your Savior,
your Redeemer, Champion of Jacob.

2 TIMOTHY 1:10 (CEV)
Now Christ Jesus has come
to offer us God's gift
of undeserved grace.
Christ our Savior defeated death
and brought us
the good news.
It shines like a light
and offers life
that never ends.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ our Savior has come bearing gifts.
 
DAILY FODDER
What is the best Christmas gift you received?

PRAYER
Glorious God, we continue to celebrate with gratitude and faith the arrival of Christ our Savior into the world. Such a gift! I admit that at times my celebration is pretty shallow. But I'm looking to you to deepen my salvation. I'm expecting Christ to shine through me, drawing others into the life without darkness or end. 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.

A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN

Christmas—the Feast of the Nativity

ISAIAH 38:14 (CEV)
My eyes are red
from looking to you, Lord.
I am in terrible trouble.
Please come and help me.

LUKE 2:11 (NTE)
Today a savior has been born for you—the Messiah, the Lord!—in David’s town.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the Savior who has come to rescue us.
 
DAILY FODDER
How would you explain to an 8-year-old that Jesus is a savior and how his unique arrival is significant?

PRAYER
Savior Jesus, I join with the angels and all creation in celebrating your unique arrival into the world. Forgive me for allowing the story to become so routine that I fail to encounter the good news of it all. Restore the wonder and renew my faith so that I can experience your salvation 365 days a year. 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.