PURE JOY

PSALM 5:11 (CEB)
...all who love your name can rejoice in you.

ACTS 5:41-42 (MSG)
The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name. Every day they were in the Temple and homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute.

THE ESSENCE
Great joy accompanies identifying with the name of Jesus.  

DAILY FODDER
Even when we're hassled because of our love for Jesus, and our eagerness to lift up his name, there is still joy. In the case of the apostles, the joy came as they realized they were being dishonored in the same way Jesus was. There is joy in the solidarity.  

PRAYER 
Jesus, it is an honor to know you and a joy when people treat me as they treated you. It shows that my life is really connected to yours. Although, sometimes I suspect that I'm dishonored because of my cockiness and inconsistent behavior. I give you total access to remake me so that ultimately people will identify my name with yours. That would be pure joy. 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 KINGDOM

Ascension Day

LEVITICUS 26:6 (MSG)
I’ll make the country a place of peace—you’ll be able to go to sleep at night without fear...

LUKE 11:20 (MSG)
But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.

THE ESSENCE
God's kingdom is characterized by a peace that drives out fear along with all things of the devil.

DAILY FODDER
Jesus wants us to think of his kingdom as present and coming. Anywhere that people put themselves under the authority of the Annointed King (Messiah/Christ) the Kingdom of God is active and the devil is on the run. 

PRAYER 
Jesus, on this day we remember how after your resurrection you gave your followers a mission to represent you and your kingdom; and then you ascended back to heaven to represent us there. Forgive us for our failure to stay on mission. We get distracted by every fad and trend. We're so afraid of missing out on what the world system has to offer or what it might do to us. I pledge allegiance to you and your kingdom and ask that you send all other influences away so that your peace can reign. 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.

MAKING PEACE A REALITY

ISAIAH 2:2, 4 (NLT)
In the last days... Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

HEBREWS 12:14 (ABP)
Strive to make peace a reality among all people—starting with yourself and those around you. This is a part of living a unique holy life dedicated to the Lord. There is no other way to see him.

THE ESSENCE
Strive to make peace a reality.  

DAILY FODDER
Peace doesn't seem realistic in our world. Regardless of how things appear,  our assignment as followers of Jesus is to focus on this unique pursuit—peace as defined by him during these last days.

PRAYER 
Gracious God, thank you for including us in your peace mission. You've restored humanity to yourself through the cross and resurrection. Now you want us to live this peace and restoration out in a way that everyone can see what you're up to. Forgive us for pursuing power and influence instead of peace. Restore your vision of peace among individuals and nations. I want to play a role in your peace mission, and with your driving Spirit that can happen. 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.

DEPEND ON GOD ALONE

PSALM 18:31 (CEB)
Now really, who is divine except the Lord?
And who is a rock but our God?

2 CORINTHIANS 1:9-10 (MSG)
It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

THE ESSENCE
Depend on God alone.  

DAILY FODDER
How are the circumstances you're in right now forcing you to trust God totally? 

PRAYER 
Great Deliverer, thank you for your mighty hand. When your people were pursued by the chariots of Pharaoh, you parted the sea. When our Lord was crucified and buried, you raised him from the dead. In my conflicts today, help me to stand on your hope and rest on your promises. 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.