QUIT PRETENDING

JEREMIAH 6:13-14 (MSG)
Everyone’s after the dishonest dollar,
  little people and big people alike.
Prophets and priests and everyone in between
  twist words and doctor truth.
My people are broken—shattered!—
   and they put on Band-Aids,
Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’
But things are not ‘just fine’!

ROMANS 12:9 (NTL)
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Quit pretending and embrace genuine love. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you know if your love is genuine?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, all glory and honor belong to you, for your truth never wavers and your word never lies. In your mercy reveal to me any deceitful ways or evil manners I might harbor in my heart. Redeem my life and let it be a true reflection of your steadfast love that can show and announce true peace. 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.

FAIRNESS

LEVITICUS 19:15 (MSG)
Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

JAMES 2:1 (MSG)
My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Favoritism has no place in God's realm.

DAILY FODDER
Is it possible to be partial without realizing it? 

PRAYER
Just God, you see everything as it is and are completely fair. Forgive us for giving up on fairness because it gets so complicated in our crazy world. Help us to lean into your wisdom so we can treat everyone without partiality. I'm confident that if I stay close to you I'll know what to do when things get complicated. 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.

SOVEREIGN

JOB 12:16 (NLT)
Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in his power.

1 TIMOTHY 2:4 (CEV)
God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The truth is that God is sovereign over all. 

DAILY FODDER
You want people to be saved. How is it different if the sovereign God wants everyone to be saved? What are the implications of his sovereignty?  

PRAYER
Savior, I'm grateful that mercy is a part of your overall plan for reality. I am benefitting from your scheme to save everyone and to share your wisdom with us. Forgive my small picture approach and willingness to give up on people who are unresponsive. Keep me engaged in your operation to save the world. I'm amazed that you don't give up on us even when our attitudes and actions are so pathetc. 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.

WILDLY FRUITFUL LIVES

EZEKIEL 3:10 (CEB)
He said to me: Human one, listen closely, and take to heart every word I say to you.

MATTHEW 13:23 (MSG)
The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who listen and take to heart what Jesus says will be wildly fruitful.  

DAILY FODDER
What gets in the way of you listening to Jesus? What are you going to do about that? 

PRAYER
Word of life, worthy of praise, thank you for the words you speak to me. When I listen to the noise of the world, I cannot hear you and my heart hardens against your love and direction. Soften the soil in my heart and help me to hear and teach others to hear your voice and know your love. 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.