THE BIRTH OF RIGTHEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, LOVE, AND FAITHFULNESS

Christmas Eve

PSALM 89:14 (GNT)
Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice;
love and faithfulness are shown in all you do.

JOHN 1:14 (MSG)
The Word became flesh and blood,
   and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
   the one-of-a-kind glory,
   like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
   true from start to finish.

THE ESSENCE
Through the birth of Jesus, God came into his world to reveal his righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness.

DAILY FODDER
How are you planning to keep the focus on the arrival of Jesus during your Christmas celebration?

PRAYER
Glorious God, I join the world in celebrating the arrival of your Son as one of us. Through his words and deeds he revealed your righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness. Forgive us for mindlessly celebrating the holiday without even thinking of these qualities. Ring a bell in my head and wake me up to what you're doing through the Word who became flesh and blood. Because of his neighborly presence I can have a part in his world-shattering kingdom. 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.

DON'T HESITATE

HAGGAI 2:4 (ABP)
Step up! Don’t hesitate to throw yourself into the work because I, GOD-All-Powerful, am with you.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 (CEB)
What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.

THE ESSENCE
When it comes to doing the work of God's Kingdom, don't hesitate to throw yourself into it, even though you don't see how all the details are going to work out.

DAILY FODDER
There is an idiom in English, "He who hesitates is lost." The point is, if you fail to act definitively the opportunity will disappear. Likewise, when God tells us to do something, if we hesitate or delay (for whatever reason—good or bad), the opportunity to participate in what God is doing in that moment will be gone and we’ll  miss out.

PRAYER
God of abundance, thank you for countless blessings. I know you are always with me. Yet I am often hesitant about getting involved in service and ministry opportunities. Give me courage to sow my small seeds of faith. I trust you to multiply those seeds into a bountiful harvest. May all I do give glory and honor 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.

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.