RELIABLE GOD

PSALM 9:10 (CEB)
Those who know your name trust you
because you have not abandoned
any who seek you, Lord.

JOHN 6:37 (NLT)
However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God never abandons those who turn to him.

DAILY FODDER
What makes God so reliable?

PRAYER
Faithful God, the world is so full of disappointment and unfulfilled promises. I admit that I've been a disappointment to others and myself but you are the opposite. You are totally reliable. Help me to recognize the implications of your reliability for my life and entrust myself to you. I don't regret putting my faith in Jesus. 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.

NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE

PSALM 60:2 (MSG)
God! You shook earth to the foundations,
ripped open huge crevasses.
Heal the breaks! Everything’s
coming apart at the seams.

MARK 4:38-39 (MSG)
And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Despite the responses of some, as disciples we are called to be an unanxious presence in the midst of storms.

DAILY FODDER
What sorms are you currently facing? What keeps you calm?

PRAYER
God, I don't know if things are getting crazier or if it just seems that way, but I'm glad that I follow someone who can calm storms. Forgive me for allowing the storms we're facing to stress me out. Sometimes I end up saying things that I shouldn't because I'm stressed. Calm my soul so that I can act as the non-anxious presence in these crazy times. I'm going to ride in the boat with Jesus. 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.

TURNING

JOEL 2:11-12 (CEB)
The day of the LORD is great;
it stirs up great fear—who can endure it?
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your hearts...

MARK 1:14-15 (CEB)
Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make a complete turn to God and you'll experience his kingdom!

DAILY FODDER
What do you need to turn away from to completely turn to God?

PRAYER
Lord, I confess my constant, ongoing need to repent and believe. I find many reasons to see only the worst or most hopeless future. Cleanse my heart and mind of useless and despairing thoughts, that I may share the light of Jesus' grace, peace, and merciful power wherever I go.  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.

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.