OVERCOMERS

PSALM 66:12 (ABP)
You, God, let the outsiders run over us—
   we’ve been through fires and floods.
But you brought us out these trials to a place of freedom!

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-12 (MSG)
We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Through our connection with Jesus we overcome evil assaults, to serve as he did. 

DAILY FODDER
The temptation is to believe that opposition is a sign that we're operating outside God's will, the opposite of the reality. 

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, bring me into your gracious space. May I join others in giving thanks for bringing us through so much. May my life and even my wounds show your helping and healing. May I be a wounded healer and not a wounded wounder. Make my struggles a source of helping and not hurting for 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.

DON'T DO STUPID

1 SAMUEL 12:20-21 (CEB)
But Samuel answered the people, "Don’t be afraid. Yes, you’ve done all this evil; just don’t turn back from following the LORD. Serve the LORD with all your heart. Don’t turn aside to follow useless idols that can’t help you or save you. They’re absolutely useless!"

EPHESIANS 5:17 (CEV)
Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Major in following the Lord's direction rather than in stupidity.

DAILY FODDER
Why are we so attracted to stupid?

PRAYER
God, the only thing that makes real sense is serving you. Yet, we're so easily attracted to useless and stupid alternatives. Save us from the fake newsmakers and pseudo-solutions offered by stupid self-serving leaders. Keep us tuned into you — the only true and faithful voice. All divine-sounding alternatives are useless distractions so I'm going to serve you with everything I've got and everything I am. 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 UNCONTAINABLE GOD

ISAIAH 40:13 (MSG)
Who could ever have told GOD what to do
or taught him his business?
What expert would he have gone to for advice,
what school would he attend to learn justice?

JOHN 3:8 (NLT)
The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You can't keep God or his Spirit in a box.

DAILY FODDER
Does the unpredictability of God make you nervous or give you hope? How so?

PRAYER
Lord, I am thankful that you are God and I am not.  Forgive my desire to direct. When the Spirit moves, adjust my sails. When I struggle to discern and decide, Calm my inner whirlwind to a calmness of being.  Help me keep calm and carry on in you. 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.

SING!

PSALM 118:14 (MSG)
GOD’s my strength, he’s also my song,
and now he’s my salvation.

JAMES 5:13 (MSG)
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Singing is a great response to God's blessings.

DAILY FODDER
Why are we told to sing?

PRAYER
It is good to give thanks to the Lord! I declare God's love every morning and seal the deal each night! Lord, transform my suffering into singing, my joy into praise. Be my strength and my song. Be my salvation in Jesus' name.  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.