HEART-ROOTED INTEGRITY

HABAKKUK 2:6 (CEV)
You're doomed!
You stored up stolen goods
and cheated others
of what belonged to them.

LUKE 16:10 (CEV)
Anyone who can be trusted in little matters can also be trusted in important matters. But anyone who is dishonest in little matters will be dishonest in important matters.

THE ESSENCE
Honesty, even in small less-significant matters, is an indicator of genuine heart-rooted integrity.  

DAILY FODDER
Integrity is who you are when you think no one is looking. 

PRAYER
Faithful God, you have been honest with us from the beginning and you expect honesty to be a part of who we are, made in your image, redeemed by the bood of Jesus. While we're grateful for your trustworthiness, we acknowledge that we often fail the integrity tests that come our way. Forgive us and create genuine heart-rooted integrity within us. I want to be completely trustworthy in all matters great and small. In Jesus' name I pray, 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.

REVERENTLY RESPONSIVE

The 4th Sunday of Advent

ISAIAH 66:2 (MSG)
"...I made all this! I own all this!"
   God’s Decree.
"But there is something I’m looking for:
   a person simple and plain,
   reverently responsive to what I say..."

TITUS 3:3-5 (MSG)
It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.

THE ESSENCE
Reverent responsiveness is an indicator of salvation taking root. 

DAILY FODDER
Would you describe yourself as "reverently responsive"? Why or why not? 

PRAYER
We are grateful, Savior, not just that you saved us from the grip of sin and death, but for the new life you have poured into us. I confess that I'm still playing with parts of the old life, even though they are but a memory. Continue to pry me loose from all such things and wash me clean. I want to be reverently responsive to your transformative work. 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.

KINDNESS

GENESIS 50:21 (ABP)
So, Joseph spoke kindly to his worried bothers, putting them at ease.

EPHESIANS 4:32 (MSG)
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

THE ESSENCE
Demonstrate genuine faith through kindness and gentleness.  

DAILY FODDER
We live in a world where the kind and gentle people are ignored or even mocked. Be that tenderhearted person anyway. It happened to our Savior Jesus and we're following in his footsteps.

PRAYER
Thank you, Father God, that you bring good from evil. It is easy to hold on to anger and resentment. Help me forgive others as you have forgiven me. Move me to be kind, tenderhearted, and reassuring to all. I trust you to use even bad things to bring about your good. 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.

STRENGTH BUILDING

1 SAMUEL 2:2 (MSG)
Nothing and no one is holy like God,
no rock mountain like our God.

EPHESIANS 6:10 (GNT)
Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.

THE ESSENCE
It's presumptuous to assume power apart from a connection with the Lord and his power.

DAILY FODDER
What does it look like, practically speaking, to "build up your strength in union with the Lord"?

PRAYER
I am grateful, God, that no one can match your holiness—your strength. No adversary can thwart you or those in solidarity with you. Forgive my weak moments when I attempt to muster strength to meet the challenges of life on my own. I'm too much of an independent operator. Strengthen my connection with you and the outflow of your power in my life so that I can 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.