THE EMERGING GENERATIONS

DEUTERONOMY 31:13 (MSG)
And do this so that their children, who don’t yet know all this, will also listen and learn to live in holy awe before GOD...

EPHESIANS 6:4 (NLT)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

THE ESSENCE
Prioritize passing the ways of the Lord on to the emerging generations. 

DAILY FODDER
How do we bring up children "with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord" without provoking them to anger? Can you summarize what that looks like in a sentence or two?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for my parents and all the adults who gently led me to faith as a child. Forgive us for treating children's ministry as a necessary after-thought. Give us hearts for children and their salvation. I'm looking for ways to pour my life into the kids around me. 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 SPIRIT

NUMBERS 11:29 (GNT)
I wish that the Lord would give his spirit to all his people...

ACTS 1:8 (CEB)
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...

THE ESSENCE
The presence of the Holy Spirit is central to powerful ministry.  

DAILY FODDER
How do you know if the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your life?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Holy Spirit. I admit that I sometimes run ahead and do things on my own. Please help me to wait and to listen for your clear guidance. Then I can accomplish your plans and purposes for me in the timing and power of your Spirit. 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.

ENROUTE

JEREMIAH 31:18 (GNT)
Bring us back;
we are ready to return to you,
the LORD our God.

ACTS 14:15 (NLT)
We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

THE ESSENCE
Steer your life toward the living God because all other destinations are disappointing.  

DAILY FODDER
You can't turn to God and visit all kinds of worthless attractions along the way because there are no worthless attractions on the route to him. 

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful for the good news—the forgiveness and new life that is ours through Christ Jesus. Forgive us for zig zaging on our way back to you. Keep me on the straight and narrow so that I can experience the new life, even while I'm enroute. 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 PROMISED LIGHT

PSALM 43:3 (CEB)
Send your light and truth—those will guide me!
Let them bring me... to your dwelling place.

LUKE 2:29-32 (NLT)
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the light, revealing God to all nations.  

DAILY FODDER
Luke 2:29-31 is a caution to all who would reduce or limit the light of God to a single group, nation, or tribe. Fundamental to our faith is: 1) Jesus is the light and 2) the light can't be contained.

PRAYER
Jesus, you are the promised light, revealing God to all the nations. Forgive me for being content to simply sit in your light here in my place. Share your passion for the world with me. Your light can't be contained. 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.