WORRY FREE

PSALM 63:7 (MSG)
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
I’m free to run and play.

ROMANS 8:31 (CEV)
If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With God on our side we don't need to worry over the future.

DAILY FODDER
What about the future worries you? Box up the worry and put it on the shelf. Pull the box off periodically to ask God if there is something new he wants you to do about the conern. But then reshelf it, assuming that he's going to work out the future.

PRAYER
Faithful and trustworthy God, I celebrate your unrelenting attention. Forgive me for occasionally losing sight of your protection and for worrying over what's to come. Save me from this worry and the recklessness that surfaces when I try to handle things myself. I know that my enemies, real and imagined, are powerless when you're on our side. So I want to be on your side.  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.

STAY

PSALM 11:1 (CEB)
I have taken refuge in the LORD.
   So how can you say to me,
   "Flee to the hills like a bird..."

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay the course with Christ and reap the rewards.

DAILY FODDER
What could potentially derail your trust in Christ? What can you do to avoid that?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for being a refuge more firm than my confidence. Forgive me for my anxiety, which prompts my worry. Help me to cast these fears into your hands of peace. Help me simplify so I simply fly. In your name I pray, looking to the reward of your 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.

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.