HONORS

1 SAMUEL 2:30 (ABP)
God declares, "I'll honor those who honor me and despise those who despise me."

JOHN 14:23 (GNT)
Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them."

THE ESSENCE
The greatest honors belong to those who honor God with their love and their lives. 

DAILY FODDER
How important to you is it to be honored by God? What might be the benefits of such recognition? 

PRAYER
Great God, I'm grateful for your instructions. I admit that my obedience and love of you can at times be half-hearted. Help me to give serious attention to your direction. I want to be with Jesus in all that I am, all that I say, and in all that I do. My affections belong to you and I look forward to the recognition that can only flow from 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.

GOD CAN'T BE INTIMIDATED

2 CHRONICLES 14:11 (MSG)
O GOD, you aren’t impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help: Help us, O GOD...

LUKE 9:42 (MSG)
Jesus stepped in, ordered the foul spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father.

THE ESSENCE
Unlike people, nothing can intimidate God into backing down. 

DAILY FODDER
All the power brokers of the world, whether mortal or spiritual, seem to rely on forms of intimidation to accomplish their goals. How does it make you feel when you realize that they can't intimidate God? How does this affect the way you operate?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are my savior and defender. The world is full of evil, violence, and hateful speech. Too often I feel powerless and disheartened. Heal me of my fears and anxieties. Encourage me to move forward in your power and strength. You give me confidence that I can do all things through you who gives me strength. 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.

ALL HUMANITY

The First Sunday after Epiphany

PSALM 50:1 (ABP)
GOD the mighty, has been summoning all humanity — all day, everyday.

MARK 16:15 (MSG)
Then Jesus said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all."

THE ESSENCE
God summons all humanity with Jesus' good news. 

DAILY FODDER
Though only a few seem to truly embrace the message of Jesus, God continues to offer it to everyone, everywhere. That's why our mission is global. The gospel of Jesus was the first truly global endeavor in history. 

PRAYER
Almighty God, there is such good news to share. Thank you for summoning people throughout the world to hear and receive the gift of salvation. Sometimes I keep my faith to myself. Please provide me the opportunities and inner strength to share your message. From sunrise to sunset, make my life a powerful witness. 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.

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.