PUT YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS

PSALM 146:3 (NLT)
Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.

REVELATION 1:5 (CEV)
May kindness and peace
   be yours from Jesus Christ,
   the faithful witness.
Jesus was the first
   to conquer death,
   and he is the ruler
   of all earthly kings.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Put your faith in Christ Jesus, the faithful witness who is over all earthly rulers.

PRAYER
Praise you, O Lord, praise you! In you alone should I trust. However, I confess that I am prone to put my trust in the princes of this world who demand my allegiance. I am weak-kneed in this battle for loyalty. Forgive me. Restore me to a right relationship with you and no other god. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

GOD'S STRENGTH

1 SAMUEL 17:37 (MSG)
Go. And GOD help you!

1 PETER 4:11 (CEB)
Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Whatever you do, do it with the energy that comes from God.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for pressing ordinary people like us into your service. Forgive us for trying to serve you using our own grit, wit, and strength. Remind me to turn to you for the necessary resources once I realize the assignment I'm on. I'm going to tap into what you provide to get things done. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

STILL FLOURISHING

Ascension Day

PSALM 92:13-14 (CEB)
Those who have been replanted in the LORD’s house
will spring up in the courtyards of our God.
They will bear fruit even when old and gray;
they will remain lush and fresh.

JOHN 16:22 (CEB)
I will see you again, and you will be overjoyed. No one takes away your joy.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
No matter where things go if we're living in the presence of the Lord we will continue to flourish.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, your disciples must have felt anxious as you departed at the Ascension. Sometimes we feel abandoned but we recognize that you're still with us and that you invite us to live in your presence. Forgive us for sinking our roots into less than holy soil. Replant me into your courtyards so that even though I grow old and feeble I'll continue to live fruitfully. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

ALL

1 CHRONICLES 29:11 (CEB)
To you, LORD, belong greatness and power,
     honor, splendor, and majesty,
because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.

1 TIMOTHY 2:5-6 (CEB)
There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Everything revolves around the one God who created all and gives himself for all.

PRAYER
Our Father, we often conclude our prayers by saying, "For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever." Indeed it is all yours. Yet, I push back when things don't go MY way. Save me from making everything about me and my agenda. Reset my focus so that Christ is my center. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.