SERVICE

PSALM 100:2 (CEB)
Serve the Lord with celebration!
Come before him with shouts of joy!

GALATIANS 6:9 (CEB)
Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We're called to steady consistent service.

DAILY FODDER
The kind of good we can do fluctuates over time and the forms of worship seem to change with each generation, but the constant that matters is our presence and attentive availability to serve in the moment—even when things aren’t rolling in sync with our personal preferences.

PRAYER
Good God, thank you for calling me to seve you. I admit that I'm often blind to the opportunities in front of me because they don't all fit with my personal preferences or understanding of my gifts. Help me to stay steady at my post as the situation around me changes. I want to serve you no matter what. 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.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

PROVERBS 20:9 (CEV)
Can any of us really say,
“My thoughts are pure,
and my sins are gone”?

LUKE 5:22 (CEV)
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, "Why are you thinking this?"

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God knows what's bouncing around in our mind.

DAILY FODDER
Does the fact that God knows what's in your mind comfort or scare you?

PRAYER
Gracious God, you know what we're thinking and yet you still love us! Forgive us for thinking that we can keep secrets from you. Turn me around so that I have no cause to worry over my thought life. I want to live without shame. 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.

STAYING IN STEP

1 KINGS 19:18 (CEV)
But 7,000 Israelites have refused to worship Baal, and they will live.

JUDE 20-21 (CEV)
Dear friends, keep building on the foundation of your most holy faith, as the Holy Spirit helps you to pray. And keep in step with God's love, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to show how kind he is by giving you eternal life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Don't give into the anti-God influences and you will experience the life he gives.

DAILY FODDER
Who are the anti-God influencers who are attempting to influence you in their direction?

PRAYER
Holy God, thank you for the gift of life that comes to me through our Lord Jesus Christ. I confess, though, that I'm too often out of step with you and your life. Holy Spirit, help me to resist the anti-God influencers that court me. They want my thoughts and attitudes. But I'm determined to let you be my sole influence. 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.

DOING

PSALM 92:5 (ABP)
GOD, you are both a great doer and a deep thinker.

REVELATION 15:3 (CEV)
Lord God All-Powerful,
you have done great
and marvelous things.
You are the ruler
of all nations,
and you do what is
right and fair.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God is the great doer, worthy of our praise and imitation.

DAILY FODDER
As God empowers you do what he does. It's that simple. Love, create, care, reconcile...

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for your amazing ways. Forgive me for counting my days based on limitation, and hesitation. Grant me your deeper wisdom, inspired by your deeds. May what I do reflect you. Transform my narrow view to see you in every nation. Make care for all, my call, in Jesus' name. 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.