BASKING IN THE GLORY OF JESUS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS

DEUTERONOMY 4:13 (CEB)
The Lord declared his covenant to you, which he commanded you to do—the Ten Commandments—and wrote them on two stone tablets.

MATTHEW 5:17 (CEB)
Jesus: Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus embodies and perfectly executes all of God's expectations, so if we align ourselves with him, we fulfill the commandments at the deepest level.

DAILY FODDER
So what? What difference does it make that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets? 

PRAYER 
Jesus, in your humanity, you did what none of us could do. You not only lived up to all of God's expectations, but you went beyond and established forgiveness for our failure. Forgive me for trying to live a good life on my own. Help me to continue to trust you each and every day so that I can live in the fullness you have established. I'm going to bask in the glory of your accomplishments. 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.

TRUST THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE

JOB 38:4, 11 (ABP)
   GOD asked Job, “So, Mr Know-it-All, where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"...
   "I've brought you to the shoreline, and you can't go any further. So turn off your prideful pounding waves."

MATTHEW 8:26-27 (NLT)
   Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
   The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

THE ESSENCE
In the midst of the chaos trust the one who can control the waves.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever been out on a body of water during a storm? How did you feel? How is that kind of a situation a metaphor for some of the chaos you're experiencing now? How do you trust Jesus when you're seasick? 

PRAYER 
Creative God, when you formed the world, you separated chaos from order. I invite you to take my mess and place it in an order that follows the plan you have for me. Calm me when I feel tossed around by the troubles of this world. I trust you. I will obey you. You are in charge. 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.

BELIEVE

ISAIAH 33:13 (MSG)
If you’re far away,
get the reports on what I’ve done,
And if you’re in the neighborhood,
pay attention to my record.

JOHN 11:40 (CEB)
Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Believing is seeing.

DAILY FODDER
Define believe.

PRAYER 
Glorious God, you continue to do great things in a troubled world. Forgive me for allowing the problems to distract me from daily believing. My faith is so up and down. Stabilize it and fill me with trust and expectancy.  I'm seeing your glory in the midst of an unbelieving 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.

EVENTUALLY

LAMENTATIONS 3:31-32 (MSG)
Why? Because the Master won’t ever
   walk out and fail to return.
If he works severely, he also works tenderly.
His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.

LUKE 1:63-64 (MSG)
Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, “His name is to be John.” That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah’s mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Eventually God's loving voice comes through. 

DAILY FODDER
Can you identify a season in your life when it felt like God was absent? What did you learn in that silence?  

PRAYER 
Compassionate God, I praise you. May you be glorified every time I open my mouth, and may your love and compassion pour out of me today. Make me steadfast, loyal, and unswerving in my faith. I praise you for who you are and what you are doing in my life. You give abundantly good things. 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.