STORMS

Epiphany

PSALM 89:9 (CEB)
You rule over the surging sea:

    When its waves rise up,

    it’s you who makes them still.

MATTHEW 8:26 (NLT)
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

THE ESSENCE
If Jesus has power over the raging storms and waves in a lake, we can trust him to deal with the storms in our lives. 

DAILY FODDER
What kinds of storms are you facing right now? How do you turn them over to Jesus without being a coward?

PRAYER
Powerful Creator God, you control the forces of nature. Why then do I let the storms of life create such turmoil? I'm thankful there is no stormy area of human nature that you cannot calm. May I always trust that your power that stilled the raging sea will carry me through any trial I face. 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.

STRENGTHENING

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

PSALM 28:8 (CEV)
You give strength to your people, Lord...

2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 (GNT)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.

THE ESSENCE
Turn to God for the strength needed to do the right thing. 

DAILY FODDER
What is something you know God wants you to do, but you feel too weak to do it? How do we tap into the strength that he generously offers? 

PRAYER
Almighty God, I'm thankful that you've carried me this far in life. You've given me strength to overcome some incredible obstacles. I don't  know why it is that I still feel overwhelmed by the challeges that continue to come my way. Help me to look directly to you for the strength I need to live out the new life of Christ today. I'm going to focus on that for today and not worry over the possible problems headed my way. 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.

WAITING

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

PSALM 40:1 (MSG)
I waited and waited and waited for God.

    At last he looked; finally he listened.

JOHN 5:7-8 (NLT)
   “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

   Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”.

THE ESSENCE
Eventually, we realize that God hears us. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do we have to wait so long to get a response from God? What's the point in that?

PRAYER
I'm grateful, God, that you do listen to us. I admit, though, that I'm impatient and that I don't like waiting for an answer. And it’s even more frustrating when your response isn't exactly what I thought I wanted. Help me to embrace the waiting so that I can experience the type of healing that only you know I need. I'm going to treat all the waiting experiences as opportunities to expand my faith in you. 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.

LIVING ACCORDING TO TRUTH

The Tenth Day of Christmas

JEREMIAH 5:3 (MSG)
But you, God, you have an eye for truth, don’t you?

3 JOHN 5 (MSG)
Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.

THE ESSENCE
Faithfulness is living according to the truth. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think John uses hospitality extended to strangers to illustrate the notion of faithfully living according to the truth? 

PRAYER
My Lord, you are the way, the truth, and the life. You see through my times of hypocrisy, pretense, and going through the motions. Help me to be open and honest with you always. I want to live the truth, not just believe it. Let me see opportunities to serve faithfully my brothers and sisters in you. 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.