HE MADE US

ISAIAH 29:16 (NLT)
How foolish can you be?
He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!
Should the created thing say of the one who made it,
“He didn’t make me”?
Does a jar ever say,
“The potter who made me is stupid”?

EPHESIANS 2:10 (GNT)
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

THE ESSENCE
God made us. 

DAILY FODDER
God made us. Let the implcations of that sink in.

PRAYER
Creator God, you are worthy of all recognition and praise. Unfortunately, we redirect most of that recognition and praise to ourselves. We are quite adept at leaving you out of the picture — even reasoning that we know more than you. Do whatever it takes to turn our foolishness around so that we're trusting you, our maker, our superior, for every aspect of our lives. Only then does life start to make sense. 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 ADVOCATE

NEHEMIAH 1:6 (CEB)
Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I now pray before you night and day for your servants...

LUKE 18:7-8 (MSG)
So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet.

THE ESSENCE
Move forward, assuming that God advocates for his people. 

DAILY FODDER
How does the knowledge that God works everything for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) impact your ongoing trust in him? So then, is he the first you turn to when you encounter trouble? 

PRAYER
God of the universe, I'm impressed that you stand up for your people. Even though we're feeble in our faith, you advocate for us. Help me to direct all my concerns to you forthwith, so I can take full advantage of your generous nature. I'm trusting that you are not the foot-dragging type of god. 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 LONG GAME OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

PROVERBS 4:18 (MSG)
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

1 PETER 3:14 (ABP)
But even if you're harassed for doing what is right, God will make sure you get what is due to you. So don’t stress out or back down when you're threatened.

THE ESSENCE
Hey, right-living people, don't let anyone snuff out your light. 

DAILY FODDER
We're not surprised by pushback because there is always someone who feels threatened by righteousness. The challenge is to respond to their behavior with gentle, illuminating persistence rather than the kind of crass harshness they introduce into the situation. 

PRAYER
True God, as we consider how dark people deal with light, we can't help but notice that your glowing righteousness outshines all darkness. Forgive me for despairing when the dark shadows of the evil empire squawk like they're taking over. Calm my mind so that I avoid getting sucked into responding in kind to their nastiness and can continue to glow with your light. I'm going to play the long game of righteousness. 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.

LISTEN TO HIM

ISAIAH 42:6 (GNT)
I, the LORD, have called you and given you power
to see that justice is done on earth.

MATTHEW 17:5 (GNT)
This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased—listen to him!

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the One called by God, so we should listen to him. 

DAILY FODDER
Jesus said a lot during his three years of public ministry on earth. How would you summarize his teaching? How do his instructions impact what you are doing, thinking, and who you are today?

PRAYER
Almighty God, from the beginning you've been calling people to carry out your agenda. We are especially grateful that you sent and called your Son to intervene in our situation, implementing your justice and mercy. Forgive us for being slow to adopt his agenda for ourselves. Help me to listen and pay more attention. Because he listened to you, I'm going to listen 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.