LIFE-GIVING

Epiphany

PSALM 23:2-3 (CEB)
He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
   he leads me to restful waters;
       he keeps me alive.

1 PETER 2:25 (CEB)
Though you were like straying sheep, you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your lives.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Trust Jesus for your life.

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, how does having a top-rated "guardian of your life" affect the way you live your life?

PRAYER
Great shepherd, thank you for giving me life and for protecting it. I admit that I allow the fearful things in life to lead me astray. Today, on Epiphany we celebrate how you led magi to the baby Jesus. Lead me, too, along your established pathway. Stay close so that when I start to stray you can pull me back to safety. I'm resting in the fact that you are my great shepherd. 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.

STAY THE COURSE WITH JESUS

The 12th Day of Christmas

NAHUM 1:7 (MSG)
GOD is good,
   a hiding place in tough times.
He recognizes and welcomes
   anyone looking for help,
No matter how desperate the trouble.

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay the course with Jesus no matter how desperate things appear.

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think the author of Hebrews, in the midst of his argument for the superiority of Christ Jesus, feels compelled to admonish his readers to stick with Jesus?

PRAYER
Your strong hold on me, Lord, gives me confidence to face life's troubles. Still, it is easy for me to let troubles overcome me, pin me down, and paralyze me. Beseiged by troubles, I come to you, my stronghold, for refuge. Give me courage to rise up, throw off fear, and take action to help and to love others. 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.

"WELCOME!"

The 11th Day of Christmas

PSALM 31:5 (MSG)
I’ve put my life in your hands.
You won’t drop me,
you’ll never let me down.

HEBREWS 4:16 (ABP)
So let's boldly approach our gracious God's throne. He'll certainly receive us with his mercy and grace—exactly what we need!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Intentionally put your life in God's hands and you will get exactly what you need.

DAILY FODDER
What do you need today? Are you yet seeing how God provides? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for welcoming us into your presence—even with all of  our issues. Show me your grace and mercy. Help me to release all my sins and related issues into your care. This is a life changing gift. 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.

SOLID!

The 10th Day of Christmas

NUMBERS 23:19 (NLT)
God is not a man, so he does not lie.
   He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
   Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

MATTHEW 7:24 (MSG)
Jesus: These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Build your life on Jesus' solid wisdom.

DAILY FODDER
How much of your life is built on Jesus' wise teachings and how much is built on the common sense you have acquired elsewhere? How often is the common sense in conflict with Jesus' wisdom? 

PRAYER
Holy Lord, my promise keeper, I trust and rejoice in your words spoken to me through scripture and proclamation. Give me courage to take action according to your word. Fill me with wisdom to know the works that will help the powerless and give you glory. On your rock of solid promises I build my trust. 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.