SOLID

PSALM 81:13 (ABP)
GOD said, "I wish my people would listen to me and do what I ask them to do."

COLOSSIANS 1:23 (CEV)
But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Continue to listen to God and you'll become solid.

DAILY FODDER
Is one of your active goals to become a solid follower of Christ Jesus? What do you need to do to pursue that goal? 

PRAYER
God, I thank you for the good news of Jesus, which is how I stay connected to you. Forgive me for paying too much attention to the bad news propaganda that the world generates. It keeps me shaking. Help me to sink down solid roots that draw up the nourishing good news into my life. I want to become a solid Jesus person. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

TESTS AND TEMPTATIONS

JEREMIAH 30:11 (CEB)
I am with you and will rescue you,
declares the Lord.

HEBREWS 2:18 (ABP)
Since Jesus has endured testing and temptation when he suffered, he's able to help us when we are facing tests and temptations.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We don't have to tackle the trials and temptations alone. 

DAILY FODDER
What are some things that are testing you right now? How is Jesus helping you? 

PRAYER
Jesus, I appreciate the faithful way that you overcame all your trials and temptations. I need your help tapping into the faithfulness because my record isn't anywhere near as good as yours. I still buckle when tested and snap at people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm counting on your help. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD'S KIND AND UNRELENTING LOVE

PSALM 25:6 (ABP)
GOD, continue to disburse your kind and unfailing love, as you've been doing forever.

TITUS 3:4-5 (MSG)
But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Through God's kind and unrelenting love, Jesus' new life washes through and renews us. 

DAILY FODDER
What difference does it make that we look to God for transformation instead of making it happen from within ourselves?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm thankful that you have taken on the task of my growth and transformation. Yes, I get to cooperate but I don't have to make it happen. Forgive me for when I feel like I need to slip into the driver's seat to get things going on my own. I desperately need the kind of renewal that can only come from you. So, it is to you and your love that I turn. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

MIND-CHANGING

LAMENTATIONS 1:18 (ABP)
     GOD is spot on. I'm the one who blew off his instructions so that I could do my own thing.

MATTHEW 21:28-29 (CEB)
     Jesus told this story, What do you think? A man had two sons. Now he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
      "‘No, I don’t want to,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you've been blowing off God, the best thing to do is change your mind and follow his instructions.

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so hard to change your mind once a pattern has become entrenched in your life? How does God help us make necessary life-giving changes? 

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for letting me change my mind. You know my first thoughts are always to put myself as boss and you on my payroll. But your Holy Spirit reminds me of the joy of your employment. I get to be part of your blessing business. Your return on investment is eternal and unending. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.