FRIENDS

LEVITICUS 26:13 (NCV)
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. I broke the heavy weights that were on your shoulders and let you walk proudly again.

JOHN 15:15 (NLT)
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We've been freed so live as friends of God.

DAILY FODDER
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Joseph M. Scriven (1855)

PRAYER
Befriending God, thank you for making our relationship possible. Forgive me for living as though I'm still a slave to the old ways. Help me to recognize my freedom and what it means to live with you as a friend. I'm a friend of 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.

GET MOVING AGAIN!

DEUTERONOMY 2:7 (MSG)
GOD, your God, has ...guarded you in your travels through this immense wilderness.

HEBREWS 12:12 (MSG)
So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You know God's history of protecting you along the way; so don't fart around and dillydally when he sends you to do something new.

DAILY FODDER
Where and to whom is God sending you these days?

PRAYER
Eternal God, help me to remember that all things pass and that times of loss will give way to fullness of joy and thanksgiving through your loving power. Forgive my unbelief and strengthen me to live this day in faith, hope, and above all love. In Jesus' name. 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.

NEW SONG

PSALM 96:1 (MSG)
Sing GOD a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to GOD—worship GOD!

LUKE 19:37-38 (MSG)
The whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:
   Blessed is he who comes,
      the king in God’s name!
   All’s well in heaven!
   Glory in the high places!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We join the psalmist in singing a brand new song.

DAILY FODDER
Assuming that this new song is more than a literal piece of music, what exactly is the new song? How do you sing it if you are not particularly musical?

PRAYER
You, O God, are worthy of fresh new music; for you are constantly refreshing our receptive hearts. But there are times when I am less than receptive to new music. I'm stuck in the oldies and the old familar ways that revolve around me and my antiquated tastes. Give me a new song that is so compelling I can't help but join the crowd of disciples who welcomed you into Jerusalem. Glory in the high places! 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.

LIVE EXPECTANTLY

PSALM 119:166 (MSG)
I wait expectantly for your salvation;
GOD, I do what you tell me.

REVELATION 22:20 (NCV)
Jesus, the One who says these things are true, says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our calling is to live expectantly.

DAILY FODDER
The second half of Revelation 22:20 contains a phrase which appears to be a translation of the Aramaic phrase maranatha! It appears without translation in 1 Corinthians 16:22. And it can be either a prayer ("Come soon, Lord Jesus.") or a declaration ("The Lord Jesus is coming soon."). Either way it is a call for us to live expectantly of the second grand appearance of Christ Jesus.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promised return to finish setting the world right. I admit that I get so caught up in the current drama that I'm not living expectantly. I'm satisfied with temporary cultural wins. Shift my focus back on to you and your ultimate agenda. I'm going to live expectantly today and from now on. 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.