GOD'S PRESENCE

JEREMIAH 23:23 (NLT)
Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord.
"No, I am far away at the same time..."

MARK 15:34 (CEB)
At three, Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani,” which means, “My God, my God, why have you left me?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It doesn't always feel like it, but God is present in both the good and the bad times. 

DAILY FODDER
Why did Jesus feel abandoned on the cross? He quotes the first verse of Psalm 22, a psalm which ultimately swings around to affirm God's presence, sovereignty, and a global revival of people turning to him. 

PRAYER 
Almighty God, you are everwhere. Thank you that wherever I go, near or far, east or west, inside or outside, you are present. You are with me. Close by. Available. I cannot run from you or hide from you. I am loved deeply by you. You are my awesome God, and I am your grateful child. 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.

FAIRNESS

EZEKIEL 33:17 (MSG)
Your people say, “The Master’s way isn’t fair.” But it’s the way they’re living that isn’t fair.

ROMANS 9:14 (NLT)
Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When things aren't going our way it is tempting to accuse God of being unfair but we should treat such an impulse as a prompt to check ourselves. 

DAILY FODDER
When a young child complains that a situation is unfair it's usually because the child lacks perspective. When we complain that something is unfair to us as adults it often means we're being childish.  

PRAYER 
Faithful God, you are completely fair and totally just. You define what is right! Forgive me for the times when I get bent out of shape because life is not unfolding according to my plan. Teach me how to deal with disappointment in a healthy way. I want to give up my childish ways and embrace your plan, even when I lack full perspective. 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.

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.