SOLIDARITY

PROVERBS 24:11-12 (MSG)
Rescue the perishing;
don’t hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,”
will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know—
Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:26 (NCV)
If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God calls us to stand in solidarity with people in need.

DAILY FODDER
What kinds of excuses do you use to keep from helping?

PRAYER
Gracious Savior, thank you for rescuing the perishing! You've called us to join you in your rescue work but I confess I experience compassion fatigue. There is so much hurt all around me. Recharge my personal batteries and energize me for the calling. I want to join you in standing with those who are hurting. 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.

SUCCESS

GENESIS 39:23 (NCV)
The LORD was with Joseph and made him successful in everything he did.

GALATIANS 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God defines success and gives it to us.

DAILY FODDER
If God gives us success (the fruit of the Spirit), why does it seem so elusive for us?

PRAYER
God of abundance, thank you for the riches of eternal life that you constantly pour into my lap. I regret that I sometimes prize what is worthless, but you always restore me to sanity and reveal again the treasures of your love and presence. Move my heart to share your goodness with others today. 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.

THE SOURCE OF WISDOM

PROVERBS 15:33 (ABP)
You receive wisdom by showing respect for GOD.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:21 (NLT)
Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The only kind of wisdom that matters is what comes from the Lord.

DAILY FODDER
What is your goal for wisdom in life? How do you expect to attain such wisdom?

PRAYER
Since you, O God, are all wise, it is no surprise that wisdom is found in you. I'm grateful that you share it, even though I am not always so good at receiving it. I look in lots of wrong places for that which is already mine through a relationship with Christ Jesus. Keep my relationship with him fresh so that I can acquire the wisdom needed to live eternally in your presence. You are my only hope for all that matters. 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.

JESUS OBSESSION

PSALM 63:6 (NCV)
God, I remember you while I’m lying in bed;
I think about you through the night.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:10 (CEB)
Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is all-consuming, 24/7, alive or asleep.

DAILY FODDER
Why would someone want to become obsessed with Jesus when there are so many interesting people and ideas in the world?

PRAYER
Jesus, I'm obsessed with you. My life revolves around you and I think often of you throughout the day and night. Yet, there are gaps when I lose contact. So, I'm asking you to strebgten the mental and spiritual connection between us so that I'm living in full communion with you 24/7. I know that such a union will transcend death itself. 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.