YOU BELONG

ISAIAH 52:10 (MSG)
GOD has rolled up his sleeves.
All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm.
Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other,
sees him at work, doing his salvation work.

EPHESIANS 2:19 (MSG)
You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone.

THE ESSENCE
Because of what God has done through Christ Jesus, you belong—regardless of your background or experience. 

DAILY FODDER
It's not enough to belong—you must by faith claim the spot that God has given you in his kingdom and family. 

PRAYER
Ruler of the universe, you oversee all. When I fall victim to earthly powers, my expectation is for you to wield your deadly sword. Thank you that I am wrong. Instead, you offer a hand of friendship to the stranger and citizenship to the foreigner. Your kingdom transforms this world. Today guide me to someone who needs this Christ-like friendship. 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.

MESSIAH

JEREMIAH 23:5 (GNT)
The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land...."

MATTHEW 16:16 (GNT)
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

THE ESSENCE
Jesus is the anticipated Messiah. 

DAILY FODDER
Most first century Jews had a hard time seeing how Jesus fit with prophecies such as Jeremiah 23:5. How would you have responded to their narrow view of how prophecy works?  

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, even though I'm not Jewish, I’m grateful that you came as the long-anticipated messianic king. Forgive us for our lack of creative understanding of what that means. Show us how you were so much greater than the prophecies that God gave to encourage struggling Jews centuries before your birth. I want to wrap my head around the universal nature of your reign so that I can live according to your kingdom. 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.

OUR GREAT SHEPHERD

PSALM 100:3 (NLT)
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

JOHN 10:14 (CEB)
I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me...

THE ESSENCE
We're sheep under the care of Jesus, the greatest shepherd.  

DAILY FODDER
If we have a great shepherd, who knows us better than we know ourselves, and who has a greater understanding of our situation than anyone else, what's the point of following any other voice? 

PRAYER
Good Shepherd, I glory in the knowledge that you know me and I know you. When troubles cross my path, I can feel paralyzed. Teach me to listen for your voice when this happens. My heartbeat slows and I find my peace again, knowing that you can help me fight the enemy. Today I sing your praises. 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.

EVEN IN PARCHED PLACES

ISAIAH 58:11 (CEB)
The LORD will guide you continually
and provide for you, even in parched places.

MATTHEW 6:11 (ABP)
Give us enough food for today.

THE ESSENCE
God consistently provides for his people—even in parched places. 

DAILY FODDER
What kind of parched places have you encountered in life? Was it more challenging to trust God in those moments. Why or why not? How did God provide? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for sending enough for today. I admit that I start to panic when I enter into parched spaces and I don't have the energy to drag around Costco sized supplies as backups. Forgive me for thinking that something is wrong because I'm in a desert—physically or spiritually. Open my eyes to your ongoing provision. You are faithful and you don't ever experience supply chain issues. 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.