GOD HEALS

ISAIAH 38:16 (GNT)
Lord, I will live for you, for you alone;
Heal me and let me live.

ACTS 28:8 (GNT)
Publius' father was in bed, sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went into his room, prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him.

THE ESSENCE
God heals.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever seen someone healed after praying for them? Who should you be praying for today?

PRAYER 
Great healer, thank you for your restorative power to cure. I am humbled that you chose me as your minister, through whom others can be healed by my prayers. Like Paul, I pray earnestly for those who are sick. Bring to my mind those who need prayers of physical, mental, or spiritual healing. I lift them up to you. 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.

LORD OVER CREATION

ISAIAH 37:16 (CEB)
Lord of heavenly forces... You alone are God over all the earth’s kingdoms. You made both heaven and earth.

JOHN 1:3 (MSG)
Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is God over all creation and all that happens within it. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the personal implications of Jesus' dominion over the created order?  

PRAYER 
Lord Jesus Christ, you were involved in every aspect of creation. Nothing came into being apart from you. I confess that I sometimes believe the hype that the world is spinning out of control. Help me to trust you, even though there are a lot of terrible things happening in the world you created.  I'm going to allow the beauty of creation to recharge my faith in 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.

THE GREATEST HONOR

ISAIAH 62:3 (MSG)
You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of GOD’s hand,

LUKE 14:10 (ABP)
Jesus advised, "When you're invited to banquet, instead of taking the most prominent seat avaiable, seat yourself in the least important place. When your host sees you there, he'll say, 'What are you doing way back here? I want you up with me at the head table.' As you're ushered to your new seat, every guest in the hall will notice what's happening and you'll be even more respected than if you had presumptously seated yourself up front to begin with."

THE ESSENCE
The greatest honor and respect come when we pursue humblness. 

DAILY FODDER
What does the pursuit of humbleness look like in your situation? 

PRAYER 
Lord, I'm thankful you realize my true worth. Forgive me for thinking that I have to elevate myself in order to be signififcant. Show me how to humbly wait for the honor that you'll reveal. It's all because of what Christ has done. 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.

LOVE AND FAVOR

PROVERBS 3:12 (ABP)
GOD corrects those he loves, as parents correct a favored child.

LUKE 15:31 (GNT)
"My son," the father answered, "you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours..."

THE ESSENCE
Receive God's correction as a sign of his love and favor.

DAILY FODDER
How does God "correct" people? How do you know that he is correcting you?

PRAYER 
Thank you, gracious God, for your correction in my life. You make me feel uncomfortable when I'm not doing the right thing. Forgive me for doing everything I can to muffle the discomfort. Help me to respond with a good and receptive attitude. I'm going to receive your discipline as a sign of your love and favor. 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.