NOT ABANDONED

ISAIAH 66:13
As a mother comforts her child,
     so I’ll comfort you.

JOHN 14:18-19 (NTE)
I’m not going to leave you bereft... Because I live, you will live too.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God does not abandon his children.

PRAYER
Gracious Father, I'm grateful that you never abandon us. Sometimes I act like I've been orphaned because I want attention or to impress people with how much I've overcome to get to where I am. But that is a facade. Remind me of your presence so that I never lose track of you. Keep me close. I'm going to live as a confident child. Amen.

OUTCOMES

PSALM 38:9 (NLT)
You know what I long for, Lord;
     you hear my every sigh.

JAMES 1:3 (NTE)
...you know that, when your faith is put to the test, what comes out is patience.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Rough times can produce significant outcomes.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for recognizing my sighs for what they are. Thank you for taking me by the hand through these difficult days. I'm hoping that you'll use them to produce maturity in me. I'm confident that when we put our faith in you no experience is wasted. Amen.

THANKS!

1 CHRONICLES 29:13 (MSG)
And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you,
praising your splendid Name.

EPHESIANS 5:20 (CEB)
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Look for opportunities to be thankful and then thank God.

PRAYER
Father, remind me that I can always find a reason to thank you. When I struggle and feel alone, remind me that you are with me and that I am an important part of the family of Christ. Help me express my gratitude by receiving and sharing your love today. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

THE GOOD LIFE

AMOS 6:6 (MSG)
Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain!
those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles!
They could not care less about their country going to ruin.

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 (MSG)
Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Pursue "God's good" over the "good life" and you'll end up with a real life.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the great life that you have given to me. Forgive me for the times when I obsess on things that are related to the appearance of wealth and security. Walk me through the process of becoming extravagantly generous. I'm going to focus on the kinds of riches that matter most. Amen.