UNWAVERING PRESENCE

PSALM 102:26 (ABP)
The earth and sky will eventually disappear but you, God, will still be here.

MATTHEW 28:20 (CEB)
Jesus: "Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age."

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We can count on Jesus to not ghost us.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever been deserted by someone you were counting on? How did that feel? How does Jesus' promise make you feel?

PRAYER
Enduring One, thank you for your presence always and in all ways. Like the heavens and the earth, I  too will pass away. And as I grow in age, I often question my purpose in life. Reveal to me a way I can be of service to others. Send me a message today of reassurance that my life has meaning. 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.

FORGIVENESS

PSALM 25:11 (CEB)
Please, for the sake of your good name, LORD, forgive my sins, which are many!

MARK 2:5 (MSG)
Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God majors in forgiveness.

DAILY FODDER
How heavy does sin weigh on you?

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm thankful that forgiveness is a part of your nature. I confess that I don't think a lot about my sinfulness and that it doesn't weigh heavily on me. Help me to confess my failures without wallowing in them. I'm going to move forward because your grace is so evident. 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.

ANTICIPATORY LIVING

ISAIAH 45:8 (NLT)
Open up, O heavens,
and pour out your righteousness.
Let the earth open wide
so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.
I, the LORD, created them.

2 PETER 3:13 (NLT)
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Anticipation of God's full salvation defines how we approach life now.

DAILY FODDER
How will day-to-day living be different on the new earth? How should this future reality affect your present life?

PRAYER
Just and holy God, your promise to bring forth righteousness fills me with hope. I easily despair at the many injustices in our world. Poor, abused, and displaced people are often scorned. Bless those who dedicate themselves to righting the wrongs of society. Direct me to the way I can be part of your kingdom building. 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.

THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES

The Third Sunday after Epiphany

JOB 2:10 (MSG)
We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?

ROMANS 8:28 (CEB)
We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We gain confidence as we recognize that God weaves together both the good and bad things that happen to work out his plan.

DAILY FODDER
How have the difficult times in your life increased your confidence in God's planning?

PRAYER
Loving Father, it's good to know that from your eternal perch above the world, you're able to weave order from chaos. Even though I know this, it is still hard to accept that you're fully present in the hard times. Restore my sense of call so that the tough times don't drain me but recharge my faith in you. I'm going to trust you through the good and the bad times. 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.