SETTLED

PSALM 119:19 (MSG)
I’m a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1 (MSG)
For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can look foward with confidence to a permanent heavenly home. 

DAILY FODDER
How many times in your life have you had to relocate? What will it be like to have a permanent home where you're never an outsider?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the guarantee of a heavenly home. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what that means. In spite of all the good gifts of today I feel unsettled. I'm eager to have a place that is more real and more settled. I know that the resurrection of Christ makes it happen. 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.

STAY IN TOUCH

ISAIAH 48:10 (NLT)
I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.
Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

COLOSSIANS 4:2 (CEV)
Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay in touch with God even through the hard times.
 
DAILY FODDER
Don't misinterpret adversty as a sign of God's rejection but receive it as an opportunity to strengthen your connection with him.

PRAYER
I thank you, God, for your listening ear. Forgive me for interpreting the tough times as proof that you don't care or a sign of your rejection. My disappointment is misdirected. Help me to stay dilegent and connected to you. I'm going to lead with gratitude. 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.

PURSUE PEACE

PSALM 34:14 (CEB)
Turn away from evil! Do good!
Seek peace and go after it!

ROMANS 14:19 (CEB)
So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make the pursuit of peace and the well being of others a priority.
 
DAILY FODDER
Shalom is the Hebrew concept often translated into English as "peace." It is that, but so much more. It has to do with wholeness and well being. To us peace seems to be a grand unachievable ideal but if we think of it as lots of small things we do to contribute to the well being of others it is more in reach. Indeed, those small things, done in the name of Jesus, are the foundation of a grander achievable peace.

PRAYER
Prince of Peace, you came into the world to initiate a new kind of peace. Forgive me for giving up on the pursuit of peace because it is so hard and slow going. Strengthen my connection to you so that your shalom flows through me to everyone around me. I'm turning away from all thoughts and activities that are contrary to your peace, in order pursue goodwill and wellness for all—even our enemies. 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.

JUDGMENT

1 SAMUEL 2:10 (MSG)
GOD will set things right all over the earth,
he’ll give strength to his king,
he’ll set his anointed on top of the world!

JOHN 1:29 (MSG)
The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, "Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world!"

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus came into the world to set things right, starting with the problem of our sinfulness.
 
DAILY FODDER
How does Jesus' mission to set things right make you feel, given the trouble the world is in?

PRAYER
Lamb of God, I humbly thank you for taking away the shame of my faults and failures. Your promise of unconditional love calms my fear of judgment. I pause now to bring freely and fearlessly each of my cares, joys, and shortcomings to you. Thank you for loving me, faults and all. Help me to love others unconditionally. 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.