JOYFUL

PROVERBS 15:13 (MSG)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

ACTS 8:39 (CEV)
...he was very happy as he went on his way.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Interaction with God tends to foster a cheerful disposition.

DAILY FODDER
What blocks the joy from your life? How can you do an end-run around such blocks?

PRAYER
Lord of life, your grace bubbles up in baptismal waters. Come to me again today and push out the hate and hurt I hold in my heart. Let me see your face, that my face would reflect your joy. As I journey forward from this moment of grace, use me to bring others into your presence. 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.

GOD ALONE

JOB 9:8-9 (CEV)
God alone stretched out the sky,
stepped on the sea,
and set the stars in place—
the Big Dipper and Orion,
the Pleiades and the stars
in the southern sky.

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 (CEB)
However, for us believers,
There is one God the Father.
All things come from him, and we belong to him.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ.
All things exist through him, and we live through him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
All creation, including our lives, revolves around the activity of the one God.

DAILY FODDER
1 Corinthians 8:6 appears to be an early creedal statement, perhaps used in Christian worship. It is not just a statement of facts but an invitation to pledge your allegiance to the one God, including the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Creator God, we acknowledge that you have made everything and hold everything together through Christ Jesus. Forgive us for living as though the universe revolves around our personal worlds. Show us how to best fit into what you are doing. We want to go with your flow and live in a tight relationship with you. 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.

FORGIVENESS

PSALM 143:2 (MSG)
Do what’s right for me.
But don’t, please don’t, haul me into court;
not a person alive would be acquitted there.

LUKE 7:48, 50 (CEB)
Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We access forgiveness through faith.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus sent the woman off in peace. How much does forgiveness contribute to peace?

PRAYER
God, the Psalmist is correct, we don't have a leg to stand on when confronting judgment. But the good new is that you've given us a leg through Christ Jesus, who has dealt with all the judgment we deserve. Thank you. I regret that sometimes I still think of myself as a slick lawyer who can stand up for himself. Help me to see how even my faith is a gift from you. You are merciful. 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.

MORNING STAR

NUMBERS 24:17 (NLT)
A star will rise from Jacob;
a scepter will emerge from Israel.

REVELATION 22:16 (MSG)
I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is God's bright star, most visible as the new day is about to break.

DAILY FODDER
Have you been up early enough to see the Morning Star? This star is really the planet Venus, which becomes visible right before dawn. Why is the Morning Star a metaphor for Jesus?

PRAYER
Bright Morning Star, thank you for signaling the new day. Forgive my failure to notice your striking presence. I'm often too asleep to notice. Renew my energy for you so I can reflect your light to the dark world around me. I am encouraged by the hope of your glowing 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.