COMMISSIONED

JOSHUA 5:14 (NLT)
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

ACTS 26:15-16 (CEB)
Then (Saul) said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are harassing. Get up! Stand on your feet! I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as my servant and witness of what you have seen and what I will show you."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord appoints servants, appointments which need to be received with seriousness.

DAILY FODDER
Have you sensed any type of comissioning (dramatic or otherwise)? How has that sense of call been playing out in your life? 

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for including us in your mission to restore the world. Forgive me for allowing distractions to keep me from serving you fully. Renew my sense of call. It doesn't need to be dramatic but I just need to hear from you, assuring me that I’m where you want me to be. I want to serve you as a witness of what I've seen and what you continue to show me. 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.

ETERNAL KINGDOM

PSALM 145:13 (ABP)
Your kingdom is an eternal monarchy;
No one will dethrone you—ever.

REVELATION 5:13 (MSG)
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Pledge your allegiance to Christ the King, for his reign is eternal. 

DAILY FODDER
Even the most stable government of today will not be around in a thousand years. All ideologies and regimes eventually crumble. But God's kingdom, that which centers around Jesus' way of doing things, transcends all change. So don't get wrapped up in the ups and downs of your favorite political entity. Instead, pour your energy into living out Jesus' kingdom agenda.  

PRAYER
Praise to you, Creator Lord! Your kingdom is near. You are the author and finisher of the faith of all. You give us blessing upon blessing to glorify your mighty acts as this world is fading. Soon, we will gather around with all the generations encircling the throne together in celebration. Hallelujah!  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.

BE CONTENT

1 CHRONICLES 29:12 (NLT)
Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

1 PETER 5:6 (MSG)
So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Be content with who you are so God can work out his plan for you.

DAILY FODDER
Ambition gets in the way of our ability to align ourselves with what almighty God has in mind for us. 

PRAYER
Power and might are in your hand, Lord. I'm grateful I don't have to carry that kind of responsibility. Forgive me for acting like the world revolves around me and my opinion. Show me how to be content and to find meaning in the place where I'm currently stationed. I know you haven't forgotten me and that you will give me appropriate recognition at just the right time. 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.

JESUS' PATTERN

PSALM 34:5 (CEB)
Those who look to God will shine;
their faces are never ashamed.

JOHN 13:15 (MSG)
Jesus: I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live according to the pattern established by Jesus and you'll avoid the shame on judgment day. 

DAILY FODDER
Is it actually possible to live according to the pattern established by Jesus? If so, how? 

PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus! You not only saved us but in the way you did that you established a pattern for us to live in sync with you. Forgive me for doubting that following your pattern is realistic. Allowing others to "take advantage of" my generosity seems so impractical. Keep me close to you so that your presence makes the impossible possible. I know that there are lots of so called "Christians" who publicly push back at the idea allowing your way to literally take over. But I'm going to stick by you and your way of taking on 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.