THE FUTURE

EZEKIEL 36:11 (NLT)
I will make you even more prosperous than you were before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

ROMANS 15:29 (NLT)
And when I do arrive in Rome, I know it will be with the full blessings of Christ.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

When we're walking with Christ we have an usual confidence about the future, even with full awareness that there are rough patches ahead on the road.

DAILY FODDER
Does the future make you anxious, confident, or indifferent? What does that say about your faith?

PRAYER
Gracious God, the words of the hymn actively bounce around in my head. They are my prayer today.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
Thank you for giving me confidence about the future. 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.

ACCESS APPROVED

PSALM 22:1 (CEV)
My God, my God, why have you
deserted me?
Why are you so far away?
Won't you listen to my groans
and come to my rescue?

MARK 15:38 (NLT)
And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

The isolation Jesus felt on the cross resulted in access to God for us.

DAILY FODDER
What is the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died?

PRAYER
My God, my God, thank you for tearing open any barrier that keeps us apart. You know so well that when I despair, I question your care. My groaning becomes a curtain and makes me uncertain and forsaken. Open me to your grace and let me see your face in every place. 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.

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.