THE ULTIMATE PLANNER

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.

EPHESIANS 1:9-10 (CEB)
God revealed his hidden design to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. This is what God planned for the climax of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's great plan is to reconcile everything in heaven and on earth through Christ.

DAILY FODDER
So God's plan is greater than the personal salvation of every person? What does a reconciled heaven and earth look lke? 

PRAYER
Creator God, you made it all and it all belongs to you. I confess that I have been and continue at times to be complicit in the demise of your created order. But I understand that through Christ you are in the process of restoring peace and wholeness. Help me to sync up with your plan. I want to be there at the climax of history declaring with the masses that greatness, power, honor, splendor, and majesty belong to you the ultimate planner. 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.

KINDNESS

PROVERBS 14:21 (CEB)
Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the needy.

LUKE 17:10 (CEB)
In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.’

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't go around thinking you deserve the Nobel Peace Prize just because you've done something as ordinary as being kind to those in need. 

DAILY FODDER
What would Jesus say to the polliticians and their supporters who see compassion as a weakness that drags people down, distracting them from the greater causes of productivity? 

PRAYER 
Merciful Jesus, you've come into the world to save undeserving sinners. Forgive me for thinking that everyone should get what they deserve—nothing more, nothing less. Save me from such a sinful attitude and help me to see compassion for the vulnerable as a duty.  I'm going to make your matter-of-fact no-fanfare approach to kindness my routine. 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.

THE LORD'S HEALING

PSALM 38:22 (NLT)

Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my savior.

LUKE 18:40-43 (NLT)
     When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
     “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
     And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With good reason, we're faithfully waiting for the Lord to heal us. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the alternatives to looking to the Lord and waiting for his healing? If we wait for him, does that mean we ignore available medical treatments?

PRAYER 
Dear Lord, I wait on your promises to heal and restore those areas of my being that need your touch. In your timing, I will receive what you desire to give me. Make my life a witness of your work in me. Thank you for being the faith for me, Jesus, when I cannot see to believe. Today I glorify 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.

MERCY AND COMPASSION

The Second Sunday of Easter

PSALM 116:1 (CEB)
I love the LORD because he hears
my requests for mercy.

MATTHEW 18:26-27 (MSG)
The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Mercy and compassion are the godly responses.

DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus bang the compassion drum over and over? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for showing mercy to all who seek it from you. Forgive us for trying to fix things on our own and rigidly expecting others to step in line with us. Fill me with your mercy and compassion. I want my default reaction to be like yours. 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.