INNER RENEWAL

HABAKKUK 3:19 (MSG)
Counting on GOD's Rule to prevail,
   I take heart and gain strength.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 (CEB)
So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Avoid discouragement with big-picture thinking. 

DAILY FODDER
How are the troubles you're experiencing now contributing to the inner renewal God is working out in you?

PRAYER
Lord God, you are my strength even as I am slowing down. I lose heart, I think I am of little use to you. These verses remind me that you keep renewing my inner nature day by day. Thank you for the assurance that whatever the circumstances, you have a purpose for me and for all people. 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.

VALUABLE

1 SAMUEL 26:24 (CEB)
David: "And just as I considered your life valuable today, may the Lord consider my life valuable, and may he deliver me from all trouble.”

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 (NTFE)
For you know the grace of our Lord, Messiah Jesus: he was rich, but because of you he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Life is so valuable in God's economy that it is worthy of sacrifice.

DAILY FODDER
What makes human life so valuable? 

PRAYER
Messiah Jesus, I'm grateful that you set aside your position of ultimate power to come live among us; and to sacrifice your life for us. Forgive our indifference to the lives around us. Sometimes we feel overloaded at the amount of suffering we have to process. Keep us close so that your life-giving compassion can flow through us.  I'm trusting that you are looking out for me and so I am looking out for others. 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.

LIFE GUARD

PSALM 17:8 (CEV)
Protect me as you would
   your very own eyes;
hide me in the shadow
   of your wings.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 (CEB)
But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live as though God himself is your protector.

DAILY FODDER
What do we do differently once we realize that God always has our back?

PRAYER
Protector God, I'm grateful that you have my back. Forgive me for allowing fear to get the best of me. Keep reminding me of your faithfulness so I don't forget everytime the boogie man surprises me. I don't need to live in fear because you are my life guard. 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.

ASKING APPROPRIATELY

PSALM 65:5 (NLT)
You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our savior.

1 JOHN 5:14 (CEB)
This is the confidence that we have in our relationship with God: If we ask for anything in agreement with his will, he listens to us.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is eager to answer our prayers when we ask for that which he considers healthy.

DAILY FODDER
So, how do we improve the percentage of God-answered prayers? 

PRAYER
God, your eagerness to respond to us is impressive, especially considering that we're flakey and unwise in our requests. Fill us with your wisdom so we can comfortably approach you with confidence, knowing that we're asking appropriately. 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.