THE NEW COMMANDMENT

DEUTERONOMY 5:29 (MSG)
What I wouldn’t give if they’d always feel this way, continuing to revere me and always keep all my commands; they’d have a good life forever, they and their children!

JOHN 13:34-35 (MSG)
Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus' new old command: love one another.

DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus feel the need to command people to love one another? How would his first listners have undersood this directive? What is "new" about the command?

PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for sharing your love with people—even hard to love people—including me. Forgive me for my hohum response. It's not that I don't love you or the people around me but I can be pretty self-absorbed. Help me to get outside myself so that I become a mighty flowing river of love. I understand that this is possible, not just because you command it, but because you love us. 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.

GROWING SPRITUALLY AWARENESS

DEUTERONOMY 8:2 (MSG)
Remember every road that GOD led you on for those forty years in the wilderness, pushing you to your limits, testing you so that he would know what you were made of, whether you would keep his commandments or not. He put you through hard times...

MARK 1:12-13 (MSG)
At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God uses wilderness experiences to build our spiritual stamina. 

DAILY FODDER
What constitutes a wilderness experience? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for pushing us as your partners in training to more fully rely on you. Forgive our constant griping about the difficulties we're having. Help us to more consciously rely on the Holy Spirit and the cadre of your angels who are looking out for us. I want to become more spiritually aware. 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.

PRAISE

PSALM 108:1 (CEB)
My heart is unwavering, God.
I will sing and make music—
   yes, with my whole being!

ACTS 3:8 (ABP)
The man who had been unable to walk went into the Temple with Peter and John. He was so worked up over his healing that he couldn't stop pacing back and forth. Then his walking errupted into dancing and his mouth with words of praise for God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
As you experience what God is doing, allow your heart to overflow into words of praise.  

DAILY FODDER
How do you praise God?

PRAYER
Glorious God, as I reflect on my life I become aware of some of the amazing things you've done. I admit, though, that I hold back my praise because I don't want to make a scene. Help me to get over that fear so that praise freely flows from my lips. I'm going to make a big deal of honoring you for all I've seen you 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.

IMPACTFUL WORDS

PROVERBS 3:11 (MSG)
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.

MARK 1:22 (MSG)
He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The authoritative instruction of Jesus will change your life if you accept it for what it is. 

DAILY FODDER
What has Jesus said that has had the most impact on your life? 

PRAYER
Jesus, I have faith in your authority. Help me receive correction from you graciously. When reproof comes to me, I am often distressed. Set me free from being so locked in my ways that I refuse to change. Great Teacher, thank you for instructing me in how to be open to change in my life. 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.