BLESS GOD

PSALM 103:22 (MSG)

Bless GOD, all creatures, wherever you are—

everything and everyone made by GOD.

And you, O my soul, bless GOD!

EPHESIANS 1:5-6 (MSG)
Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We are by design created to bless God, and when we do so we experience his glorious Christ-revealed grace. 

DAILY FODDER
Is it possible to experience God's grace apart from a place in the family of Christ?

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for securing a place in your family through the advocacy of Christ Jesus. I regret that I need to be reminded to praise you. Rewire my being so that your blessings freely flow from my mouth and your grace defines my life. With all that I am I bless you, Lord God. 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.

FAKE GODS

JOSHUA 24:14 (CEB)
So now, revere the LORD. Serve him honestly and faithfully. Put aside the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and serve the Lord.

GALATIANS 4:8-9 (CEV)
Before you knew God, you were slaves of gods that are not real. But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. How can you turn back and become the slaves of those weak and pitiful powers?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Avoid getting tricked into serving the fake gods that are so ubiquitous.

DAILY FODDER
What are the fake gods that lure people today? If they are fakes how are they so powerful?

PRAYER
Liberator God, thank you for freeing me from the fake gods that aren't about my best interests. They are fakes and frauds! Although, I admit that my old attachments to these frauds resurfaces at times. Teach me how to be consistently loyal in my attachment to you. I'm going to serve Christ Jesus alone. 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.

GOD'S TRUSTWORTHINESS

2 CHRONICLES 14:11 (NCV)
Help us, LORD our God, because we depend on you.

HEBREWS 10:23 (NCV)
Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Count on God to be faithful.

DAILY FODDER
How has God already demonstrated his faithfulness in your life?

PRAYER
Loving Father, thank you for faithfully keeping your promises to me, which grows my hope built on relying on you. I regret when I allow my trust to be shaken and doubts to creep in. Forgive me and renew my hope. Help me to recognize opportunities to share your faithfulness with others and to point them to Jesus. 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'S PRESENCE

PSALM 84:4 (ABP)
Those who live in your presence, GOD, are truly happy, constatly singing your praises.

ROMANS 8:26 (MSG)
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groan

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When we live in God's presence he helps us through even the most confusing of times.

DAILY FODDER
When you're too overwhelmed so that even paying is near impossible, do you feel guilty orvrelieved?.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I'm thankful that you live in my life. I confess that sometimes things feel so overwhelming that I fail to take full advantage of your presence. Help me to find relief in your compassionate intervention. You even keep my prayers active when I'm  unable to think clearly enough to come up with words. Your presence is my solace. 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.