THE LIGHT

ISAIAH 42:16 (ABP)
I'll guide my people who lack sight along untraveled roads. I'll lead them on unfamiliar pathways.

JOHN 8:12 (MSG)
Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”

THE ESSENCE
No one who follows Jesus stumbles around in the darkness. 

DAILY FODDER
If Jesus provides plenty of light for us to live in, why do we gravitate toward the dark edges? 

PRAYER
Light of the WORLD, thank you for focusing your light LOCALLY so I can see. Nevertheless, I admit a fascination with darkness and even as I'm serving you I tend to push myself beyond your beam. Slow me down so I can receive the full benefit of your light, while enjoying your secure presence. I'm going to walk with you in the light you provide. 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.

FIXATION

PSALM 40:16 (NLT)
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

LUKE 19:38 (CEB)
“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”

THE ESSENCE
All who love the salvation that comes to us from heaven are going to fixate on declaring the Lord’s greatness. 

DAILY FODDER
When we fixate on something or someone we can't stop thinking about the object of attention. The action becomes a part of who we are. Sometimes this can become unhealthy but at least one fixation is lifegiving.

PRAYER
Great God, you are worthy of our non-stop attention. Forgive us for allowing other loud voices and glittery personalities to distract us. Help me to feel comfortable fixating on you and your glorious ways. Great are you, Lord! 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.

SAVIOR

ISAIAH 48:9 (NRSVUE)
For my name’s sake I defer my anger;
for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,
so that I may not cut you off.

MATTHEW 1:21 (MSG)
God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.”

THE ESSENCE
God goes to extremes to save us.

DAILY FODDER
So often, if people think of God, their first thought is that he is looking for ways to catch and judge people. These passages suggest that we’re emphasizing the wrong thing when we tell his story.

PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm so grateful that you defer your anger so that you can reveal your saving love at just the right time. Sometimes I threaten people with your anger. Help me to redirect my instincts so that I can invite people to receive the saving love that Jesus poured out on the cross. There is no more compelling aspect of your story than that. 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.

REORDERING YOUR LIFE

LAMENTATIONS 3:40 (MSG)
Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living
and reorder our lives under God.

PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10 (NLT)
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

THE ESSENCE
Allow Christ to reorder your life so that his priorities become your priorities.  

DAILY FODDER
How do you go about examining your life to determine if Christ’s priorities and agenda have become a part of you? What do you do when you realize that change is needed?

PRAYER
Our Heavenly Father, you're the one I ultimately want to please. That, however, doesn't seem possible. No matter how hard I work to prioritize your priorities, my priorities surface and take over. Apart from the intervention of Christ I don't stand a chance. Thus, I'm trusting him and I'm asking him to take over and reorganize my life so that I'm in total alignment with you and your agenda. Show me what needs changing so that I can let go of those things and live a pure and blameless life according to your standards. 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.