TESTING

Ascension Sunday

PSALM 66:10 (CEB)
But you, God, have tested us—
you’ve refined us like silver...

JOHN 21:17 (CEB)
   Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
   Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.’

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God often takes us along the more strenuous paths to build our spiritual endurance.

DAILY FODDER
How has God been testing you? What do you think he hopes to accomplish through this training regiment he's putting you through?

PRAYER
God, you are the great refiner. Amind my doubts and failures, you know my heart. Instead of tossing me aside, you expertly scrape away my impurities and seek your reflection in my melted metal. Thank you for purifying me through these trials. With your spirit, strengthen my faithfulness and restore me to serve you and your kingdom. 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.

GLORY TO CHRIST

JOB 5:17-18 (MSG)
Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God!
True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound;
   the same hand that hurts you, heals you.

ROMANS 11:36 (MSG)
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
   Yes. Yes. Yes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Everything that happens ultimately ends up glorifying God. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you find encouragement in the sovereignty of God?

PRAYER
Glory to you, the risen Christ. No matter what happens the glory ends up bouncing your direction. You deserve it because you've taken on the sins of the world and in your love have conquered it all -- flipping what was life-destroying into something life-giving. Forgive me for my attachment to the old ways. Free me to live in the flow of the redeemed -- the flow that glorifies you. 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.

FOMO

LEVITICUS 26:9 (CEV)
I will treat you with such kindness that your nation will grow strong, and I will also keep my promises to you.

LUKE 12:32 (MSG)
Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't be afraid of missing out because God is eager to bless you with his greatest gift. 

DAILY FODDER
FOMO—fear of missing out. It's a real fear for many of us. What are you afraid that you'll miss out on? What can reduce or eliminate that fear for you? 

PRAYER
Generous Father, I'm thankful that you are not only all-powerful but that you also have our best interests in mind. Forgive me for the worry that drives me to work out my own solutions. Save me from the FOMO that distracts me from noticing your interventions. I'm going to trust you and your generosity. 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.

JOY

Ascension Day

EZRA 6:22 (CEB)
The LORD had made them joyful...

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16 (NLT)
Always be joyful.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If we're in relationship with the Lord, we'll be living joyfully.

DAILY FODDER

What does joyfulness look like? Does it mean that you're always upbeat and bubbling with happiness or what?

PRAYER
Awesome God, you are setting a great feast to gather your people. Your activity should be the cause of a constant joy that transcends even the worst of situations. We can be joyful even when we're sad. I confess, though, that I allow the sin and negatvity of the world to suck the joy from my life. Restore the joy so that I'm ready for your party. 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.