UNITED WITH AND THROUGH CHRIST JESUS

PSALM 107:3, 8 (ABP)
Let those who GOD has gathered from their countries of exile — from the east and west, north and south — praise him for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for all people.

EPHESIANS 2:12-13 (NLT)
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

THE ESSENCE
As we are united with Christ Jesus we settle into our true home with God.  

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how is someone united with Christ Jesus? You might want to read the rest of Ephesians 2 to find out. 

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for sending Christ Jesus into our world to unite us with you. This is a true gift beyond our abilities as sinful mortals. Show me how to live in solidarity with you so that your ways become my ways. I'm looking forward to the time when all of Jesus' followers — all who have allowed his life, death, and resurrection to transform their lives — will gather to praise you for your great love and all the wonderful things you've  done for everyone. 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 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.