THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

PSALM 89:15 (MSG)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of GOD.

JOHN 8:12 (CEB)
Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Jesus is all the light we need to experience life.

DAILY FODDER
What is one way that Christ has brought light into your life?

PRAYER
Your light, O Christ, is all that we need to move forward with our lives. Forgive me for stepping out of the beam to explore the darkness. Help me to walk inside the light beam without drifting. My goal is to faithfully walk in the light of Christ. 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.

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.