ANGELS

GENESIS 24:7 (MSG)
...God will send his angel ahead of you...

LUKE 22:42-43 (NLT)
Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.

THE ESSENCE
God cares so much that he has a whole division of angels assigned to the personal care of his people.

DAILY FODDER
Have you experienced angelic intervention in your life or moments that are best explained as angelic involvement? 

PRAYER
God, thank you for sending "messengers" into my life at just the moments I need them. Forgive me for doubting your care. It's easy to get confused when I'm under stress. I know that I’m not one of your heavenly angels but if possible, I'd like to be one of your messengers — maybe even working in partnership with an angel. I want other people to experience your care and comfort. 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 43:11 (ABP)
I, GOD, am the only one who can save you.

JOHN 10:30(ABP)
Jesus: The Father and I are one.

THE ESSENCE
Because God and Christ Jesus are one and the same, we look to Jesus as our Savior.  

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so easy to accept the idea that the world needs a Savior, but so challenging for individuals to embrace Jesus when he is presented as the one and only Savior? 

PRAYER
Savior God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to rescue us from the grip and consequences of sin and rebellion. I admit that even though this is a great gift, the rebelliousness in me continues to make me think I can make it on my own. Unpack your salvation into my life so that I can live out my baptism and share the good news with others. 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.

TRUTH MATTERS

The 5th Sunday in Lent

EXODUS 20:16 (MSG)
No lies about your neighbor.

1 JOHN 2:21 (MSG)
The truth doesn’t breed lies.

THE ESSENCE
When it comes to the wellbeing of neighbors, God thinks truth matters — no exceptions.

DAILY FODDER
"The truth doesn't breed lies." And we could add, "Lies can't  breed truth." 

PRAYER
Honest God, we appreicate that you are reliable and trustworthy. We live in an era where truth matters little and reshaping facts to fit an agenda has become an admired craft. It's easy for me to get sucked into that mode. Help me to be ever truthful and discerning of truth. It's clear that even if others are willing to bend the truth to make things happen, you're not at all that way. So I want to align with the truth, even if everyone writes me off as irrelevent. 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.

GIVE THANKS

DEUTERONOMY 8:10 (GNT)
You will have all you want to eat, and you will give thanks to the Lord your God...

2 CORINTHIANS 9:15 (NLT)
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

THE ESSENCE
Thank God for the indescribable gifts he's given.

DAILY FODDER

Being thankful involves four things:

1. recognizing the source of the gifts
2. recognizing the magnitude of the gifts
3. expressing the gratitude
4. allowing the gifts to change your outlook on life

PRAYER
God, your generosity is beyond words. How can I thank you enough for what I can't understand? I can start with what I do know — life, new life through Christ and his sacrifice, forgiveness, freedom from the grip of sin, companionship, daily bread, hope for the future... Thank you for including me in your 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.