GRACE

EZEKIEL 20:44 (MSG)
But, dear Israel, you’ll also realize that I am GOD when I respond to you out of who I am, not by what I feel about the evil lives you’ve lived, the corrupt history you’ve compiled.

ROMANS 5:8 (CEV)
God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God deals with us according to his love rather than our history.

DAILY FODDER
How do you respond to God's love?

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful you don't hold our sins against us. Forgive me for my efforts to prove myself to you and others. No matter how hard I try, or how subtle I am, I can't live good enough. Help me to embrace your grace as the theme for my life. Despite my failure to live according to your standards, I find my satisfaction and contentment in what Christ has done. 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.

GOT WATER?

ISAIAH 43:20 (CEB)
I have put water in the desert
   and streams in the wilderness
to give water to my people,
   my chosen ones...

JOHN 4:14 (MSG)
Jesus said, "Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus wants to quench our thirst.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever experienced dehydration? What was that like? Why is rehydration such a powerful metaphor for what happens to us when God renews us?

PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for your promise of beautiful, important water. Today I'm thirsty for your presence. Life in you is green and flourishing, yet, often I am dry and parched. Then, into my desert life your living water springs. It's a geyser of grace! Today let me share a cup of your living water. So many are thirsty. 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.

WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 KINGS 8:57-58 (ABP)
May GOD work on our hearts so they choose to do his will...

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3 (ABP)
No one can acknowledge Jesus as Lord apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We can't even take credit for our obedience to Christ; it's all the work of God.

DAILY FODDER
Are there things you allow into your life that get in the way of the Holy Spirit's activity?

PRAYER
Come. Holy Spirit, do your thing in my heart! Forgive me for allowing stuff into my life that blocks your activity. I need you to reveal the dirt and energize me to clean house. Apart from you, I can accomplish nothing of value, but I trust you are present and active. 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.

NO FEAR

The 10th Sunday after Pentecost

PSALM 118:6 (CEV)
The LORD is on my side,
and I am not afraid
of what others can do to me.

ROMANS 8:35 (CEV)
Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With Christ on our side, we needn't fear ANYTHING!

DAILY FODDER
What is your greatest fear? How do you deal with that fear daily?

PRAYER
Jesus, friend, thank you for giving yourself for me. Nothing I do, nothing done to me, can ever separate me from you. By lifting my burden of fear, you restore my life. I am loved for who I am, not what others think of me. Help me know the full embrace of your promise. Let me share your love. 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.