PATIENCE AND TRUST

PSALM 62:1 (MSG)
God, the one and only—
I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?

2 THESSALONIANS 1:6-7 (MSG)
When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for.

THE ESSENCE
Wait for Jesus to make things right.. 

DAILY FODDER
It's all about patience and trust. 

PRAYER 
Thank you, God, for the promise of justice. I confess that I lose my cool when I see how the marginalized and poor of the world are being treated, too often by people who claim to be Christians. Help me to act with prophetic wisdom while I'm confidently waiting for you to make the world right again. I'm trusting that you will keep your word. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Maranatha! 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.

OUR HEAVENLY ADVOCATE

ISAIAH 59:12-13 (MSG)
Our wrongdoings pile up before you, God,
our sins stand up and accuse us.
Our wrongdoings stare us down;
we know in detail what we’ve done:
Mocking and denying GOD...

1 JOHN 2:1 (NLT)
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

THE ESSENCE
When we mess up and slip into sin, Jesus, the completely righteous one, is completely on our side, securing mercy and grace from the Father.

DAILY FODDER
If Jesus is our advocate, what is our role when we mess up?

PRAYER 
Thank you, Jesus, for being our heavenly advocate on retainer. Forgive us for stressing out when we mess up. As we turn back to you, restore our confidence in what you have done and are doing to neutralize the impact of our sinfulness. You're still there, always on duty to keep our relationship with God in tact. 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.

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.