SATISFIED

PROVERBS 30:8 (CEB)
Don’t give me either poverty or wealth;
give me just the food I need.

1 TIMOTHY 6:7-8 (CEV)
We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The wise person is satisfied with the basics.

DAILY FODDER
Are the basics for a content life different from place to place or at various stages in our lives? I live a fairly simple life but I have access to technology and comfort that even the wealthiest person of 200 years past would never have dreamt of. I need to live a simple life in the time and space in which God has placed me.

PRAYER
Generous God, you have given me more than enough. Yet, I struggle to be satisfied. My desire for more newer and better distracts me from my desire to know you more. Give me the wisdom needed to live a content life in this time and space. I think I'll be surprised at how little I actually need. 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.

SINGLEMINDEDNESS

1 KINGS 18:21 (CEB)
Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hobble back and forth between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow God. If Baal is God, follow Baal.”

MATTHEW 6:24 (CEB)
You cannot serve God and wealth.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Serve the Lord with singlemindedness.

DAILY FODDER
What or who competes with God for your allegiance?

PRAYER
Glorious God, you have proven that you are worthy of our focused attention. But I'm not so good at focusing on anything for more than a few seconds. I've allowed the disjointed world to shape how I deal with every relationship. Reshape my life at the foundational level so that I can become a consistent singleminded follower of Jesus. 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.

ABANDONED NOT

HOSEA 11:3 (NLT)
I myself taught Israel how to walk,
leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
that it was I who took care of him.

JOHN 14:18 (MSG)
I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Whether we notice or not, God doesn't abandon his people.

DAILY FODDER
Looking back over your life, how can you see the hand of God leading you?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for sticking with me through both the good and bad times. I confess that I'm often so self-absorbed that I don't notice. Save me from the distractions and open my eyes to your parental presence. I'm going to relax, knowing that you have my back. 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.

CALLING ALL MISCREANTS

ISAIAH 43:1 (ABP)
Don’t be afraid, I’m reviving you.
I’ve called you by name. You’re mine.

LUKE 19:5 (MSG)
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God is calling all miscreants.

DAILY FODDER
Why would God want to call you?

PRAYER
Awesome God, just as you called the scampy nation of Israel... just as you called the sinner Zacchaeus down from his perch... so you continue to call questionable people. It's in your nature to partner with the unreliables and transform them. Help me set aside whatever I have going for me so I can hear your call and join your glorious company of miscreants. I want to follow Jesus. 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.