RESTORATION

JEREMIAH 17:14 (NLT)
O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed;
if you save me, I will be truly saved.

LUKE 5:24-25 (MSG)
Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.” Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the God who both saves and heals. 

DAILY FODDER
Healing (of any sort) and forgiveness are both expressions of God's mission of restoration. Through Jesus God restores humanity to himself. Ultimately, that restoration involves complete healing.

PRAYER 
Jesus, you speak, and your words become reality. I am grateful that you speak wholeness, forgiveness, and salvation into a new reality for me. Since I fall short and am broken, I need to hear and embody your good news. Re-create me in your image and make me whole. I will share your healing love with all the world. 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.

STABILITY

PSALM 127:1 (CEB)
Unless it is the Lord who protects the city,
the guard on duty is pointless.

1 TIMOTHY 2:1-3 (MSG)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

THE ESSENCE
Pray that God would send us honest and competent leaders who will stabilize society in accordance with God's agenda.

DAILY FODDER
What characterizes a simple and humble society?  

PRAYER 
God, it's  good to know that you're  in charge. Our earthly rulers don't  seem to have a clue and are hell-bent on tearing things apart so they can profit from the ruins. I confess my anxiety over the state of the world. I pray that you would care for all the people who are being hurt. Send us honest leaders who will excercise wisdom. We want to live simple and quiet lives that honor 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.

LITTLE BOXES

1 KINGS 8:27 (CEB)
   Solomon said, "But how could God possibly live on earth? If heaven, even the highest heaven, can’t contain you, how can this temple that I’ve built contain you?"

JOHN 4:23 (MSG)
   But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
   “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

THE ESSENCE
God is way bigger than any of the little boxes we try to build around him.

DAILY FODDER
How aware are we of the boxes we build around God? How do we keep ourselves from becoming so small-minded?  

PRAYER 
Creator God of the universe, I’m grateful that you make yourself known. Forgive us for taking the miniscule amount of information we have about you and using it to construct restrictive systems that get in the way of people meeting you. Open my heart to the possibility that I know less than I think I do. I want to be the kind of person who worships you in spirit and truth. 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.

FALSE GODS

JEREMIAH 2:28 (CEB)
Where are the gods
   you have made for yourselves?
Let’s see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:14 (CEB)
So then, my dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods!

THE ESSENCE
Run from anything that involves honoring false gods.

DAILY FODDER
What are the false gods that are ubiquitous in your culture?  

PRAYER 
Gracious Father, I thank you for your steadfast love despite my shortcomings. I repent of chasing idols of power, pride, protection, and pleasure. Help me turn away from these distractions and fix my gaze on you. May my actions align with you alone, finding strength in your word while resisting the fleeting desires of this world. 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.