REVEL

The First Sunday in Lent

PSALM 68:3 (ABP)
Let the God-loving right-living people rejoice!
Let them be glad hanging out in the presence of God.
Let them bubble over with joy.

MATTHEW 25:21 (CEV)
“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Revel in the the approval of God.

DAILY FODDER
How does your desire for God's approval shape the way you strive for the approval of others?

PRAYER
God, I'm so glad that you want me in your life. I'm not always in touch with that joy and my expressions are akward.  You know that about me and yet you still offer me a place at your table. Help me to grow in awareness of the privelege and in the kind of life that reflects the honor you bestow. I want the joy to bubble over and encourage others to join us at the party. 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.

PATIENCE

EZEKIEL 36:8-9 (CEV)
Trees will grow on you mountains of Israel and produce fruit for my people, because they will soon come home. I will take care of you by plowing your soil and planting crops on your fertile slopes.

JAMES 5:7 (MSG)
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Patience is always evident when we do things according to God's plan and timing.

DAILY FODDER
TRICK QUESTION: What is the fastest route to becoming more patient?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for being the source of harvest and healing. You are patient and understanding. I confess I am an impatient patient. Grant me the perspective of the farmer. After sowing and resting in your provision, turn me over into your hands. Mold me and create me to be a vessel for you. 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.

GROWING IN WISDOM

PSALM 90:12 (ABP)
Show us how to increase in wisdom as our time here rapidly decreases.

ROMANS 14:8 (MSG)
It’s God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Use your short time here on earth to grow in wisdom, so that you're prepared to serve God forever.

DAILY FODDER
To what extent is growing in wisdom a working goal in your life? How are you doing with that?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for yet another day to serve you and grow in your wisdom. Forgive me for taking my time here for granted. Teach me how to grow in wisdom so that that I might be better prepared to serve you here and beyond. I want to spend my remaining days accumulating divine wisdom. 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.

RECONCILIATION WITH GOD

NUMBERS 21:7 (CEV)
Some of the people went to Moses and admitted, “It was wrong of us to insult you and the Lord. Now please ask him to make these snakes go away.”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 (CEB)
We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Take reconciliation with God seriously.

DAILY FODDER
God has made peace with the world through the sacrifice and resurrection of his Son Christ Jesus. What keeps you from fully receiving that peace?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you've extended a hand of peace. Forgive me for being so casual about the whole reconciliation thing. Show me what it looks like to go all the way into the water with you. Energize me to be both a recipient and an ambassador of your reconciliation. I want to shake your hand. 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.