LIVING BY FAITH

PSALM 42:2 (CEB)
My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God.
When will I come and see God’s face?

2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-7 (CEB)
So we are always confident, because we know that while we are living in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord. We live by faith and not by sight.

THE ESSENCE
We are energized by confident trust in the future God promises, that being life in his presence. 

DAILY FODDER
What about the future energizes you to tackle today's challenges?

PRAYER
Loving God, I'm grateful you've promised a future that involves being with you. It's so hard to focus on you and your agenda while the world is tugging me in the opposite direction. Might your indwelling Holy Spirit give me the confidence to move foward, even when I can't yet see how things are going to work out. I'm trusting you with my life. You're trustworthy. 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.

A LIFE GROUNDED IN REALITY

ECCLESIASTES 5:7 (ABP)
No matter how many dreams you have, how hard you work to pursue them, or how much you talk it up, the fact is that it's all worthless apart from a life consumed with honoring God.

2 PETER 1:16 (MSG)
We weren’t, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes.

THE ESSENCE
A life grounded in reality is a life consumed with following Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
Define in a sentence the most consuming passion in your life? Is this a healthy passion? Why or why not? What does God think of the reality which consumes you?

PRAYER
Awesome God, thank you for inviting me into your world—a world where Jesus has conquered sin and death through his sacrfice and resurrection, while revealing your way of life. Forgive me for pursuing so many senseless bunny trails filled with novelty and meaningless recognition. Help me to focus on a life consumed with following Jesus. Because of him I can live a well-grounded meaningful life. 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 GUIDE

2 CHRONICLES 18:4 (MSG)
Before you do anything, ask God for guidance.

JOHN 6:63 (MSG)
Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is our life-giving guide. 

DAILY FODDER
Who is the guide in your life? 

PRAYER
Holy God, you are the source of true wisdom. Thank you for spiritual rebirth to new life in you. I regret not always seeking your counsel first. I need the guidance of your Spirit living within me. Reveal truth to me and give me wisdom and discernment. I trust you to show me your will and your way. 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.

GOVERNED BY PEACE

The Second Sunday after Epiphany

ISAIAH 60:17 (CEB)
I will make peace your governor
and righteousness your taskmaster.

2 JOHN 3 (GNT)
May God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, give us grace, mercy, and peace; may they be ours in truth and love.

THE ESSENCE
The Jesus regime in its fullness is one governed by peace. 

DAILY FODDER
Peace, in the Bible, is greater than the absence of conflict. It's a holistic state of well-being that we can experience even while conflict rages around us. Imagine how wonderful it will be when all conflict comes to an end. Peace on steroids.

PRAYER
Jesus, I'm grateful that you are the Prince of Peace. I get so discouraged by the conflict around me. Sometimes I even allow it into my life. But I'm asking you to flush it all out of me, as you flood me with your peace. I pray for the day when all creation allows your peace in and you govern with peace. This is the future I'm looking for for myself and all who come after me. Show me how to best represent that vision now. 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.