GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS

PROVERBS 3:29 (ABP)
Don't scheme against your unsuspecting neighbors.

1 THESSALONIANS 2:8 (NLT)
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
True religion is marked by genuine relationships.

DAILY FODDER
Why does religion without relationship feel so hallow?

PRAYER
Loving God, I'm grateful for the great people you've sent into my life. They've been with me through good and bad times. I consider them to be a gift. Excuse me for being an inconsistent friend to you and my neighbors. Keep reminding me of the relational nature of your good news. It's not just about agreeing to certain doctrines or having a common mission. It's a matter of all of us living your life together. 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.

WAKE UP

GENESIS 28:16-17 (CEB)
When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The LORD is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it. He was terrified and thought, This sacred place is awesome. It’s none other than God’s house and the entrance to heaven.

EPHESIANS 5:14 (MSG)
Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
     Wake up from your sleep,
     Climb out of your coffins;
     Christ will show you the light!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Wake up to the presence of Christ and his light.

DAILY FODDER
What are some visible signs of Christ's active presence in the world around you?  

PRAYER
Awesome God, you are present in ways and places that have escaped our awareness. I confess that I'm so caught up in my own world that I miss seeing yours. Awaken me to the light of your presence so that I can move forward aware of reality.  I want to become so heavenly-minded that I'm finally of some earthly good. 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.

NO MORE TEARS

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

ISAIAH 65:19 (MSG)
I’ll take delight in my people:
No more sounds of weeping in the city,
   no cries of anguish...

REVELATION 7:17 (CEV)
The Lamb in the center
   of the throne
   will be their shepherd.
He will lead them to streams
   of life-giving water,
   and God will wipe all tears
   from their eyes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our sorrows are not a permanent fixture in the God-controlled universe.

DAILY FODDER
Some say that the only constant in life is pain in its various expressions. But the good news is that God is busy rewriting the future, removing all pain and sorrow from the script. Be encouraged!

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm grateful for a future without sorrow. Forgive me for pushing to get there before I can actually learn the lessons that come through the school of pain. But I do pray that you would encourage me through the difficulties. While I allow them to rub off my rough edges I'm going to savor the hope of a future without tears. 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.

CHRONIC PAIN

JEREMIAH 15:18 (MSG)
But why, why this chronic pain,
   this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You’re nothing, God, but a mirage,
   a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!

EPHESIANS 3:12-13 (CEV)
Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so we can come to God by faith. This is why you should not be discouraged when I suffer for you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our relationship with Christ allows us to move forward despite our various and chronic pains.

DAILY FODDER
What kinds of suffering do you have? How does the suffering that Christ endured enable us to transcend what we endure?  

PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you that I may cry out to you in times of pain and suffering. I can bring you tough questions with the boldness of a child who trusts her parent's love. Keep me going forward in faith and help me remember in prayer others who are wounded and need the healing that only comes from 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.