FORBEARING

ECCLESIASTES 12:1 (NLT)
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

LUKE 15:18-19 (NLT)
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If we are God-minded in our youth it will shape us so that we're gracious and forbearing during the challenging years of old age.

DAILY FODDER
Forbearing: showing patient and unruffled self-control and restraint under adversity; slow to retaliate or express resentment (Definition from Vocabulary.com)

PRAYER
Jesus, I love your story of the prodigal son and how the old father was so forgiving when he returned home. What a great picture of your grace! I'm not very forbearing. Help me become so God-minded that I act like the father in the story. I want to become gracious and forbearing like 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 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.

SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

PSALM 28:7 (ABP)
I trust GOD with all my heart.
He helps me, filling my heart with joy.
I'm so thankful!

HEBREWS 13:15 (CEV)
Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Keep on joyfully praising God.

DAILY FODDER
What is your favorite way to praise God? 

PRAYER
Glorious God, you are worthy of all praise! I confess that I let life drag me down rather than prompt me to praise. If you'll help me stay focused, God, I'll turn my life into an ongoing sacrifice of praise. In the name of Jesus, I pray and praise. 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 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.

CHANGE

ISAIAH 58:1 (CEB)
Shout loudly; don’t hold back;
   raise your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their crime...

MATTHEW 4:17 (MSG)
Jesus started preaching... “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
To change you need to acknowledge what needs changing.

DAILY FODDER
What needs to change in your life so that you are more closely aligned with God's kingdom agenda? 

PRAYER
I am so thankful, good and gracious God, that you call me back to you! Forgive me when I don't want to do an about-face with my sinful nature. I'm sorry I get stuck in myself! Turn my aberrant heart and mind back to you. Life is so much better there. Change my heart, for my good and your glory. 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 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.

REMEMBER AND GIVE THANKS

PSALM 105:5 (ABP)
Remember the miracles GOD has performed, the incredible creation he has crafted, and the justice he has dispensed.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 (ABP)
No matter what happens, keep on thanking God. This is what he wants those who are partnered with Christ to do.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is no shortage of reasons to continue with the gratitude.

DAILY FODDER
Quickly name five things that God has done, and for which you are thankful.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the life you've given to me—and this awesome world in which I've been placed. Forgive me for forgetting how much I've received. And when the challenging times come, with the help of our Savior, I'm going to keep on being thankful. 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 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.