HEALING THE WORLD

GENESIS 8:21 (MSG)
GOD: "I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age, but I’ll never again kill off everything living as I’ve just done."

JOHN 3:17 (MSG)
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
While we're predisposed to doing evil, God is predisposed to healing the world. 

DAILY FODDER
How does God heal the world? What should my response to his actions be?

PRAYER
Dear Savior, thank you for coming into the world to introduce healing beyond what we imagined possible. Forgive our lack of imagination and ongoing fixation on the problems of the world. Free me to receive your healing and join your mission to restore the world. I'm going to follow you, Jesus. 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.

SACRIFICE

ISAIAH 50:6 (NLT)
I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.

JOHN 15:13 (NLT)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Love and loyalty involve sacrifice. 

DAILY FODDER
How have you experienced sacrificial love or loyalty in your life?

PRAYER
Loving Lord, you did lay down your life for us. We, on the other hand, are inclined to take the easiest and most comfortable routes to relationships. Help us to walk with you and in your footprints as we seek to develop genuine relationships. Show us what sacrifice means in our context. I understand that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. And you are my friend. 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.

THE WORD

JEREMIAH 23:29 (NLT)
Does not my word burn like fire?”
says the LORD.
   “Is it not like a mighty hammer
   that smashes a rock to pieces?

HEBREWS 4:12 (NLT)
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When God speaks creation listens because there is power in his word. 

DAILY FODDER
Who are the powerful voices in your head that continue to affect what you do and shape who you are?

PRAYER
Great God, thank you for sending your living Word to speak truth in our midst. And thank you for the Bible which reliably echoes him. Forgive me for tuning out your Word when the burning and cutting feels uncomfortable. Grant me the humility and vulnerability to accept and trust your life-giving message. I'm going to allow you to be the loving voice in my head cutting through the crap that I've allowed into my life. 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.

OPPOSITION

EZRA 8:31 (CEV)
Our God watched over us, and as we traveled along, he kept our enemies from ambushing us.

2 TIMOTHY 3:11 (CEB)
I put up with all sorts of abuse, and the Lord rescued me from it all!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord is our rescuer. 

DAILY FODDER
How often has God rescued you? More times than you realize?  

PRAYER
Almighty God, I'm grateful to be on your side. Forgive me for growing anxious when the opposition looks strong. Remind me of all the ways you have rescued your people in the past. I know I don't need to worry when I'm marching 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.