PROTECTION

PSALM 7:1 (NLT)
I come to you for protection, O LORD my God.
Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!

MATTHEW 10:19 (NLT)
When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God will take care of us as we face opposition; so there is no need to stand down.

DAILY FODDER
What kind of protection are you currently needing from God?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for your protection—even giving me the right words to say at the right time. You are definitely involved in the lives of your people. Forgive me for the times when I try to assume the responsibility of my own protection detail. Show me how to give you the appropriate room to do your thing. And just as you give me words to say when I'm confronted, give me, too, the wisdom to remain silent. I'm not going to try to defend myself or talk my way out of the situation. I'm going to rely on your protection. 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.

MERCY AND JOY

PSALM 51:2 (MSG)
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.

LUKE 15:7 (MSG)
Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You clean up well and that makes God happy.

DAILY FODDER
As we turn to Christ and ask him to scrub us clean we tap into his unrelenting mercy and grace. It makes God really happy to do this for us.

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful for the forgiveness that is ours through what Christ has done and I'm pleased that you find joy as I trust you and your mercy. I confess that I can be a bit of a curmudgeon when people get so blessed even after all the outrageous self-absorbed things they've done. Grant me a deeper appreciation for your kindness. I want to be so shaped by your mercy that it bubbles out of me. 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.

SEE AS GOD SEES

2 CHRONICLES 16:9 (MSG)
GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him.

EPHESIANS 1:18-19 (MSG)
I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
See as God sees.

DAILY FODDER
What would you need to see in order to trust God more?

PRAYER
Thank you, God of glory, for your watchful eyes. Forgive me for my narrow vision, seeing everything through lens that are self focused. Expand my vision and enlighten my heart so that I can follow you with faith, endless energy, and boundless strength. 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.

TUNING INTO THE SPIRIT

The Second Sunday in Lent

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7 (MSG)
Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.

JOHN 14:26 (CEB)
The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Let God be your teacher as you chew on all that he's already said.

DAILY FODDER
What has God been saying to you recently? Are you listening or tuning out? How do we overcome the tuning-out behavior?

PRAYER
Thanks, Lord, for the Spirit that fills my heart and informs my sharing. Remind me to care when I share. Grant me an accepting perspective when I'm tempted to be directive. Forgive my anxiety when your timing and grace are not at my pace. Teach me to live in the sunshine of your face. 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.