CRISIS CALLING

PSALM 94:19 (CEB)

When my anxieties multiply,

your comforting calms me down.

LUKE 22:42-43 (CEV)
  “Father, if you will, please don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup.But do what you want, and not what I want.”
  Then an angel from heaven came to help him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God meets us in the moments of crisis; so don't worry over the troubles. 

DAILY FODDER
What is the difference between worrying over a crisis and being properly responsive to it? 

PRAYER
Faithful God, just as you were there with your Son when was about to be arrested, so are you present with us even during the crises. Forgive me for thinking that I should be immune from all the difficulties. Save me from my anxieties. I'm going to rest in the awareness of your presence. 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 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.

ADVOCATE

PSALM 17:7 (MSG)
Paint grace-graffiti on the fences;
take in your frightened children who
Are running from the neighborhood bullies
straight to you.

1 PETER 4:14 (CEB)
If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory—indeed, the Spirit of God—rests on you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even when you're mocked because of your relationship with Christ, count on God's Spirit to be there for you — indeed, to bless you. 

DAILY FODDER
How does it feel knowing that you'll always have an advocate?

PRAYER
God, it is empowering to know that your Spirit is there for us even when the world turns against us. Forgive me for getting rattled everytime someone says a snarky thing about me and my faith. Save me from thinking of myself as a victim and embolden me to serve you, knowing that the jerks out there can't ubdermine your blessing. I'm going to live like someone who has the greatest advocate of all — because I do. 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 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.

GUSHING

PSALM 82:3 (NLT)
Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 (NLT)
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Might the love of Christ gush from our lives onto everyone around us — especially our Christian siblings, as well as the marginalized.

DAILY FODDER
What are the visible signs that the love of Christ flows from a person's life?

PRAYER
Most high God, you are in authority over all: the high and lowly, needy and content, rich and poor, hopeful and hopeless. I confess that often I am arrogant. I judge and critique others and their lives. Help me to increase and abound in love, being an advocate and encourager of all. Show me who to support 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 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.

DEEPLY REVEALING

PSALM 51:10 (ABP)
Purify my heart, God, and plant your faithful life deep inside me.

1 TIMOTHY 1:5 (MSG)
The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our desire is for a God-crafted life that reveals his life.

DAILY FODDER
Why does the Bible emphasize getting the interior life right? Isn't it enough just to do right?

PRAYER
Faithful God, you are busy renewing my life so that I'm as clean on the inside as the outside. I acknowledge that there is still work to be done. Enable me to cooperate with you. Purify my heart, God, and plant your faithful life deep inside me.  I want to live a life that reveals your life. 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 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.