FORGIVEN

DANIEL 9:9 (CEV)
Lord God, you are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you...

EPHESIANS 1:7 (GNT)
For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God...

THE ESSENCE
Through the sacrifice of Christ we are set free and forgiven.  

DAILY FODDER
Why would God want to forgive rebellious people—who at best ignore him, but mostly are operatives attempting to undermine his agenda? Is that a lapse of judgment on the part of God?

PRAYER
Lord God, you are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you. I acknowledge that I'm among the rebellious—although my rebellion is usually pretty subtle. Help me to recognize my ongoing need to live into your forgiveness so I can experience your freedom. I want my life to be about celebrating your grace. 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.

TENACITY

GENESIS 32:26 (CEB)
Jacob said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”

MATTHEW 19:13 (GNT)
Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them...

THE ESSENCE
When seeking God's blessing tenacity pays off. 

DAILY FODDER
Tenacity is persistence and determination, gripping onto something or someone firmly. How was Jacob tenacious when he was wrestling with God in Genesis 26? How were the parents who brought children to Jesus in Matthew 19 acting with tenacity?

PRAYER
Gracious God, like Jacob, I have foibles, yet you love me. As I wrestle with you, these become your blessings to the world around me. You use them to bring hope to imperfect people. Your prayers bless my new identity. I am your beloved child. Help me share your way of blessing with those I may struggle with today. 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.

BLESSINGS

GENESIS 26:24 (NLT)
Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you.

EPHESIANS 1:3 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

THE ESSENCE
Through our union with Christ we experience all the heavenly blessings available. 

DAILY FODDER
What is a spiritual or heavenly blessing? How is it different from what people often consider to be a blessing? 

PRAYER 
Gracious God, you've tapped into the vaults of heaven to bless us. Praise be to you! Forgive us for twisting the notion of blessing so that it becomes about fulfilling personal wishes and desires. Clean the lenses of my glasses so that I can see more clearly the greatness of the blessings that are ours through Christ Jesus. Keep me close to yourself so that your holiness—your generosity—your blessings slosh over into my life. Bless 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.

THRILLING

ISAIAH 55:12 (ABP)
   God is going to turn things around so that you'll be celebrating peace.

LUKE 10:17, 20 (CEB)
   The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.”
   Jesus said, "Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven."

THE ESSENCE 
When we follow God's leading we discover moments of celebration. 

DAILY FODDER
In the Luke account of the disciples returning from a successful mission trip, what is the point?—that they succesfully followed Jesus' instructions and saw Jesus-like results or that they got caught up in celebrating? 

PRAYER 
Almighty God, we're grateful that you include us in both your mission and your celebrations. Help me to keep these thrilling moments in perspective because it's so easy to make them about me. I'm going to stay focused on celebrating your mercy and grace. 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.