JOURNEYING WITH GOD

DEUTERONOMY 1:31 (NLT)
And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.

LUKE 24:35 (CEB)
Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God reveals himself through his words and actions as we journey tother with him. 

DAILY FODDER
So many of us want God to answer all our questions before journeying with him, without realizing that he reveals what we need to know as we journey with him.

PRAYER
Ever-present God, thank you for spending time with us along the road of life. I confess that I am so short-sighted that I'm only interested in hearing about things that will speed up the journey. Help me to value the time we spend together sauntering along. I'm eager to hear what you say and see what you want to show. 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.

OWNERSHIP

DEUTERONOMY 10:14 (CEB)
Clearly, the LORD owns the sky, the highest heavens, the earth, and everything in it.

LUKE 2:14 (CEB)
Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord God owns the heavens, the earth, and everything in between.

DAILY FODDER
How is this good news?

PRAYER
Heavenly Creator, the majesty of belonging to you and your earhly creation fills me with gratitude, wonder, and awe. I hope one day to be part of your heavenly creation, even with my limited understanding of what that means. Fill me with the peace that comes from your favor. Help me share this peace of Christ with others. 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.

WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH

1 SAMUEL 2:4 (MSG)
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,
while the weak are infused with fresh strength.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:10 (MSG)
Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God fills weak people with strength.

DAILY FODDER
What does Paul mean when he says, "the weaker I get, the stronger I become"?

PRAYER
Mighty God, I'm grateful for the way you flip my weaknesses into strengths. I don't fully understand how that works, except when I'm weak I have to rely on you to keep me going. Forgive me for the times I fail to see the opportunities in the negative situations and turn to wallowing in my weaknesses. Prop me up and allow me to see how you're doing so in order that I might be encouraged. I'm going to rely on your strength. In Jesus' name I pray, 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.

QUIET!

ISAIAH 30:15 (CEV)
I will make you strong
if you quietly trust me.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:20 (NLT)
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We can live by God's power if we settle down and trust him.

DAILY FODDER
How is busyness and big talk the opposite of trusting God?

PRAYER
Listening Father, loud, untrue, and unkind words and actions are used to project an image of powerful leadership in this world. Thank you for trumping these misconceptions with your servant leadership, where strength and power come from quietness and trust in service. Following your humble servant example, show me opportunities to be a helper to those I encounter. 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.