JESUS' SALVATION

PSALM 13:5 (CEB)
My heart will rejoice in your salvation.

MARK 7:37 (NLT)
They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything (Jesus) does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Everything Jesus does is so marvelous that it all invites a response.

DAILY FODDER
What's the difference between being a Jesus-fan and a Jesus-follower? 

PRAYER
Marvelous Savior, I am amazed that your actions so perfectly line up with your words and attitude. If only I could be so consistent! Help me to move from fandom to following. I want to be a part of what you're  doing to save the world. 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.

HAND IN HAND

GENESIS 17:1 (ABP)
When GOD appeared before Abram he said, "I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Allow me to walk you faithfully through life and you'll truly live."

JOHN 20:27 (CEB)
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Believe for yourself.

DAILY FODDER
Why did Thomas have a hard time believing that Jesus had risen from the dead? How did the encounter with the risen Jesus change his life? What about all the people who don't get to look at Jesus' nail-pierced hands and wounded side, how do they come to believe in him?

PRAYER
Faithful and gracious God, you take our hands, and if we don't pull away, you lead us into the new and improved lives you've called us to. Forgive us for the impulse to pull away and walk on your own. With your nail-pierced hand, take my hand and lead me. I believe that I can get used to this kind of service. 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.

WE LIKE SHEEP

ISAIAH 53:6 (MSG)
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.

1 PETER 2:24 (MSG)
He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus took-on and disarmed our sins so we could start to heal and live healthy righteous lives.

DAILY FODDER
Even though Christ has removed the weight of sin from my life, why do I still occasionally wander like a clueless sheep? You, too? 

PRAYER
Christ our Savior, thank you for dealing with the disorienting sin that kept me lost. Forgive me for slipping back into the old lost ways at times. Help me to follow your shepherd voice into luchious and healthy pasture. I know that I depend on you and will stay close to 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.

GOD ALONE

1 SAMUEL 7:3 (MSG)
Then Samuel addressed the house of Israel: "If you are truly serious about coming back to GOD, clean house. Get rid of the foreign gods and fertility goddesses, ground yourselves firmly in GOD, worship him and him alone..."

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 (CEB)
There is one God the Father.
All things come from him, and we belong to him.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ.
All things exist through him, and we live through him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
While there are many alternatives, if you really want to live pour your life into serving the Lord God exclusively.  

DAILY FODDER
What are the "foreign gods" that need to be purged from your life?

PRAYER
Risen Savior, you've shown that God is all-powerful and yet merciful. You are the only one worthy of our attention and allegiance. Yet, we try to "hedge our bets" and give attention to the power brokers of our day. Help me to truly grook that the only thing that pays off in the long run is serving you. I only want to please 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.