CHILDREN OF GOD

DEUTERONOMY 14:1 (CEB)
You are the Lord’s children.

GALATIANS 3:26 (CEB)
You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our identity as children of God changes everything about us.

DAILY FODDER
How would your life be different if God had not embraced you as one of his children? 

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for going to such extreme measures to welcome me into your family. I confess that I don't take my status and identity as one of your children seriosly enough. Pull me tighter to yourself and share an encouraging word with me so that my place in the family feels even more real. I'm going to set aside all other measures of status and focus on living into my Christ-created identity in your family. 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.

GOD'S RESPONSIVENESS

ISAIAH 30:19 (CEV)
People of Jerusalem, you don't need to cry anymore. The Lord is kind, and as soon as he hears your cries for help, he will come.

MATTHEW 15:28 (CEV)
Jesus answered, “Dear woman, you really do have a lot of faith, and you will be given what you want.” At that moment her daughter was healed.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God responds to our cries for help.

DAILY FODDER
What does God's responsiveness tell us about him? How does his responsiveness affect your future? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm grateful that I can count on you to respond when I need extra help. Calm my unwarranted anxiety over health issues, the political situation, and the problems of the world. Help me to relax and think more clearly as I grow in awareness of your merciful presence. I know that you hear my cries for help; so thanks to you I'm not going to let the pressures of today crush 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.

GETTING IT RIGHT

GENESIS 18:19 (ABP)
The LORD said, "I've chosen Abraham and his progeny to keep my ways by doing right and living out justice."

1 TIMOTHY 1:8 (CEV)
We know the Law is good, if it is used in the right way.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If God's instructions are misapplied they can become toxic rather than life-giving.

DAILY FODDER
What are you doing to imrove your ability to accurately apply God's word? How do you know if it is misappled?  

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for including me in Abraham's faith family and for sending your Son Jesus into the world to perfectly live out your law. I confess that I'm among those who have used your instructions to further my own self and agenda—without realizing it at the time. Reorient my life toward pursuing what is right and just in alignment with Jesus' interpretation of the law. He did it perfectly so I want to follow him. 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.

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.