TRUST

JEREMIAH 39:18 (NRSV)
I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have trusted in me, says the LORD.

LUKE 23:43 (CEB)
Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Life is the reward for faith, even during the most desperate times.

DAILY FODDER
What does trusting in Jesus mean in today's world? When do the rewards come for our faith? 

PRAYER
Faithful God, you are worthy of our trust. You are tried and proven. Forgive me for panicking when the wind appears to be blowing in an unsettling way. Restore my confidence in your reliability. I will keep my faith in Jesus, no matter what happens and I know that you'll take good care of me. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

SURVIVING FLOODS

GENESIS 6:22 (CEB)
Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.

MATTHEW 7:24 (MSG)
These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus' instruction is foundational for a solid flood-proof life. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you work Jesus' words into your life? 

PRAYER
Lord God, help me put a "For Sale" sign on my petty projects of instant gratification. With your love in my heart, let me find the solid grounds for hope today. And let me start building arks of fellowship and faith. Your word is waterproof. Your wisdom is fear proof. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD LIVING AMONG US

ISAIAH 12:6 (MSG)
Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion!
The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel.

JOHN 1:14 (MSG)
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The great thing about salvation is that God executed his plan through his presence among us.

DAILY FODDER
What difference does it make that God chose to live among us rather than sending a decree from a distant throne? 

PRAYER
Merciful God I'm grateful that you choose to carry out your agenda by being close. You're  not a distant landlord but a loving Savior. Forgive me for my lack of hospitality. I have no excuse for ignoring you. Help me to receive you and in turn welcome others. Because you are present I can be, too. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

WHOLE SOUL BLESSING

PSALM 103:1 (MSG)
O my soul, bless GOD.
From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!

1 PETER 1:3 (CEB)
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Bless our generous God, for he is most worthy of everything we've got.

DAILY FODDER
How do you bless God? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the eternal living hope that we've received through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. You are worthy of all recognition and honor—indeed the entirety of our lives. Yet, so much of the time our worship is half-hearted—dependent on whether we like the music or the preacher or the donuts. Help us to shift the focus from our preferences so that we can bless you with every ounce of energy that inhabits our souls. You deserve nothing less. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)o
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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen