LIFE-GIVING WATER

JEREMIAH 2:13 (MSG)
My people have committed a compound sin:
   they’ve walked out on me, the fountain
Of fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns—
   cisterns that leak, cisterns that are no better than sieves.

JOHN 4:14 (CEB)
Jesus: Whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When it comes to the life-giving water of Jesus, accept no life-threatening substitutes.  

DAILY FODDER
How does one know that the water he or she drinks is the best water? How is Jesus' water received? 

PRAYER
Faithful God, you sent your Son into the world to refresh our lives with the water he gives. I'm grateful that it is so readily available. Forgive us for our feeble attempts to dig our own wells. Continue to send your water my way. I'm going to drink and bath in the life of Jesus until mine is forever saturated. 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.

GOD THE (COMPASSIONATE) FATHER

MALACHI 1:6 (MSG)
Isn’t it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I’m your Father, where’s the honor? If I’m your Master, where’s the respect?

2 CORINTHIANS 1:3 (CEB)
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is the compassionate Father, worthy of all honor. 

DAILY FODDER
It's interesting that the Apostle Paul says God the Father is worthy of praise because of his compassion and comfort. So often fathers want to be respected for their stature and absolute authority. But even God's approach to parenting is different. 

PRAYER
Thank you, merciful Father, for granting grace to love our fathers. Relationships such as these are often strained. We need help to forgive. Bond us in your great love that consoles and redeems us with mutual honor and respect. As we live in the land of forgivin' livin', find us on our knees in worship to 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.

GOD DELIVERS

PSALM 146:7 (ABP)
GOD delivers justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:10 (CEV)
God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so you can give even more to those in need.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God delivers.  

DAILY FODDER
If God is the one who delivers what we need, what is our role in the process? 

PRAYER
Generous God, thank you for all you've done and are doing for us. I regret how I get frustrated when the deliveries I've ordered from you aren't exactly what shows up. Help me to recognize how what I'm receiving is better than what I'm requesting. I trust you so much that I'm going to freely give to those in need. 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.

THANKFULNESS

PSALM 145:10 (CEB)
All that you have made gives thanks to you, LORD;
all your faithful ones bless you!

COLOSSIANS 3:16 (CEB)
Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
To be all that we were made to be, we need to allow gratitude to ooze from our lives—especially as we relate to God.

DAILY FODDER
What blocks the free flow of gratitude in your life? How do you address that blockage? While I strive to be thankful all the time I find it helpful to designate one day a week to be especially thankful. So, for me Thursday is always Thanksgiving Thursday. (I have similar designations on others days. For example, Fridays are for praying for my Family.)

PRAYER
Thank you, generous God, for the way that you have created the world and shaped my life. Forgive me for dashing along without so much as a thankful thought. Fill me with songs of gratitude. I'm  going to let thansgiving freely flow everyday. 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.