STRENGTHENING

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

PSALM 28:8 (CEV)
You give strength to your people, Lord...

2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 (GNT)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.

THE ESSENCE
Turn to God for the strength needed to do the right thing. 

DAILY FODDER
What is something you know God wants you to do, but you feel too weak to do it? How do we tap into the strength that he generously offers? 

PRAYER
Almighty God, I'm thankful that you've carried me this far in life. You've given me strength to overcome some incredible obstacles. I don't  know why it is that I still feel overwhelmed by the challeges that continue to come my way. Help me to look directly to you for the strength I need to live out the new life of Christ today. I'm going to focus on that for today and not worry over the possible problems headed my way. 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.

WAITING

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

PSALM 40:1 (MSG)
I waited and waited and waited for God.

    At last he looked; finally he listened.

JOHN 5:7-8 (NLT)
   “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

   Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”.

THE ESSENCE
Eventually, we realize that God hears us. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do we have to wait so long to get a response from God? What's the point in that?

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you do listen to us. I admit, though, that I'm impatient and that I don't like waiting for an answer. And it’s even more frustrating when your response isn't exactly what I thought I wanted. Help me to embrace the waiting so that I can experience the type of healing that only you know I need. I'm going to treat all the waiting experiences as opportunities to expand 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.

LIVING ACCORDING TO TRUTH

The Tenth Day of Christmas

JEREMIAH 5:3 (MSG)
But you, God, you have an eye for truth, don’t you?

3 JOHN 5 (MSG)
Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.

THE ESSENCE
Faithfulness is living according to the truth. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think John uses hospitality extended to strangers to illustrate the notion of faithfully living according to the truth? 

PRAYER
My Lord, you are the way, the truth, and the life. You see through my times of hypocrisy, pretense, and going through the motions. Help me to be open and honest with you always. I want to live the truth, not just believe it. Let me see opportunities to serve faithfully my brothers and sisters in 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.

THOSE WHOM GOD BLESSES

The Ninth Day of Christmas

PSALM 115:13 (GNT)
God will bless everyone who honors him,
the great and the small alike.

1 PETER 3:9 (NLT)
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

THE ESSENCE
God blesses those who honor him through their radical Christ-like actions.  

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, what does it look like to bless those who abuse you? How do we do that so it doesn't appear that we are condoning their actions? 

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are so good to me. Thank you for countless blessings day after day. I seek to have your mind and attitude, yet I succumb to my sinful nature. Please turn my pride into humility. Instead of reacting in anger, lead me to pray for and to bless others. Shine your love and light through me. 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.