ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

JEREMIAH 16:20 (CEB)
Can humans make their own gods?
If so, they are not gods at all!

COLOSSIANS 3:5 (CEV)
Don't be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don't be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don't be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We have a problem with creating substitute Gods.

DAILY FODDER
How is it possible that greed is the same as idolatry? 

PRAYER
Glorious God, you have no peers in your being or your generosity. Yet, we have a propensity to turn the thrilling things of life into controlling gods. Even I do this. Help me to identify the things I have elevated and made so important that they have a say in how I live and who I am. Help me to reserve my adoration and worship for you. For you are the one who is truly worthy of it. Jesus proves your unlimited worth. 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.

CREATOR

PSALM 102:25 (CEB)
You laid the earth’s foundations long ago;
the skies are your handiwork.

COLOSSIANS 1:16 (ABP)
Everything was created by Christ—everything in the skies above and the earth below—everything that is visible and everything invisible.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you're seeking the ultimate authority, you can't do better than Christ; for he is the creator.

DAILY FODDER
What happens in your head when you try to wrap your mind around the claim that Christ is the creator? 

PRAYER
Wondrous Creator, you are the one true God who laid the foundation of the earth. You formed the whole universe and all that is in it. My mind cannot comprehend it, but I can believe through faith in Christ Jesus. He is the eternal Word of God. Thank you for giving me life. Praise be to God. 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.

WISDOM

DANIEL 2:21 (ABP)
GOD is the source of wisdom for the wise and knowledge for the learned.

1 CORINTIANS 1:30-31 (NLT)
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Tap into Jesus for the wisdom that transforms.

DAILY FODDER
How might you benefit from additional divine wisdom?

PRAYER
God, you are the source of the wisdom that keeps everything working. Forgive us for thinking that we're smart enough to keep things going on our own. Give me enough wisdom and knowledge to understand how dependent I am on your wisdom. Strengthen my connection with Jesus so that I can become the kind of person you're calling me to be. 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.

THANKS!

PSALM 116:12 (CEB)
What can I give back to the LORD
for all the good things he has done for me?

LUKE 17:15-16 (MSG)
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Return gratitude to God for what he's done for you.

DAILY FODDER
What is one thing you can thank God for today?

PRAYER
Generous God, your gifts are amazing. I confess that I can be somewhat indifferent about all I've received. It's that I'm so caught up in using what I've been given that I don't often think of being grateful. Stir up gratitude in my heart. Help me to notice even the small gifts. I'm going to be the one who returns to Jesus to say thanks. 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.