HOLISTIC FAITHFULNESS

JOSHUA 22:29 (MSG)
Rebelling against or turning our backs on GOD is the last thing on our minds right now.

1 TIMOTHY 4:16 (ABP)
Pay ongoing attention to how you live and what you teach. This kind of holistic faithfulness is essential for your own salvation, and for that of those you teach.

THE ESSENCE
It's essential to maintain integrity of life AND communication. 

DAILY FODDER
What you believe/teach is as important as how you live. How you live is as important as what you believe/teach. If a good theologian has a reputation for being obnoxious and unChrist-like in the way he treats people, I decline to use his textbooks in my classes, even if they are well written. 

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for entrusting us with a measure of your truth. Forgive us for pouring so much energy into advancing the content of that truth that we don't realize how lacking we are when it comes to living it. Help us to embrace both sound doctrine and sound living. I want to present myself and my message as that of Jesus. 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.

TURNING HARD TIMES AROUND

JEREMIAH 31:13 (CEB)
I will turn their mourning into laughter
and their sadness into joy...

2 CORINTHIANS 1:7 (MSG)
When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.

THE ESSENCE
Live confidently with the knowledge that God turns the hard times into good times, in his time.

DAILY FODDER
For most people the hard times tend to zap their confidence. How is it that God's people can so confidently exude hope during hard times?

PRAYER
Faithful God, I'm grateful that you stick with us in both the good and bad times. I admit that I experience unnecessary anxiety if suffering persists over time. Recharge my batteries so that by your power I can move forward with life until you turn my sadness into joy. You intentionally entered into our suffering when Christ Jesus was crucified, so that we can experience the hope generated through his resurrection. Praise be to him! 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 MYSTERY OF GOD

DEUTERONOMY 3:24 (NLT)
‘O Sovereign LORD, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant...

JOHN 17:24 (CEB)
Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am.

THE ESSENCE
God wants to be with his people and to reveal himself.  

DAILY FODDER
Why is it that sometimes God seems eager to reveal himself to his people but at other times he cloaks himself in mystery?

PRAYER
Glorious God, thank you for reaching out to us — especially in those moments when we need to see your strength. I regret, though, that I squirm when I realize how much of a mystery you remain, even after experiencing your salvation. Teach me to be content and to trust you to drive our relationship. My faith doesn't require that I need to know every little detail. 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 LIGHT

EZEKIEL 33:11 (ABP)
Israel, do you have some kind of death wish? Put a stop to your evil ways!

JOHN 3:21 (ABP)
Those who live according to the truth have walked into the light, revealing the light of God for what it truly is.

THE ESSENCE
When we live rooted in God's truth, rather than the demands of the world system, we reveal God's light for what it is.  

DAILY FODDER
What does living by light look like in your life?

PRAYER
Holy God, thank you for allowing me to choose life over death. You assure me of forgiveness. When I repent, you turn my darkness into light. I regret slipping back into sinful attitudes and behaviors. Empower me to live by your light. Let others clearly see you working in me and 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.