RESURRECTION

PSALM 9:19 (NLT)
Arise, O Lord!
Do not let mere mortals defy you!

MARK 9:31 (GNT)
Jesus was teaching his disciples: “The Son of Man will be handed over to those who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life.”

THE ESSENCE
Resurrection is the final defining word. 

DAILY FODDER
Death couldn't keep Jesus down. And when we're partnered with him, it won't keep us down either.  

PRAYER
Your resurrection power, Lord, is hidden from all who don’t know you. Keep my faith strong. I don't want any fear of others or even of death to hold me back from witnessing to your risen presence. Give me courage to follow you wherever you lead me. My life is hidden 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.

ANGELS

GENESIS 24:7 (MSG)
...God will send his angel ahead of you...

LUKE 22:42-43 (NLT)
Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.

THE ESSENCE
God cares so much that he has a whole division of angels assigned to the personal care of his people.

DAILY FODDER
Have you experienced angelic intervention in your life or moments that are best explained as angelic involvement? 

PRAYER
God, thank you for sending "messengers" into my life at just the moments I need them. Forgive me for doubting your care. It's easy to get confused when I'm under stress. I know that I’m not one of your heavenly angels but if possible, I'd like to be one of your messengers — maybe even working in partnership with an angel. I want other people to experience your care and comfort. 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.

SAVIOR

ISAIAH 43:11 (ABP)
I, GOD, am the only one who can save you.

JOHN 10:30(ABP)
Jesus: The Father and I are one.

THE ESSENCE
Because God and Christ Jesus are one and the same, we look to Jesus as our Savior.  

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so easy to accept the idea that the world needs a Savior, but so challenging for individuals to embrace Jesus when he is presented as the one and only Savior? 

PRAYER
Savior God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to rescue us from the grip and consequences of sin and rebellion. I admit that even though this is a great gift, the rebelliousness in me continues to make me think I can make it on my own. Unpack your salvation into my life so that I can live out my baptism and share the good news with others. 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.

TRUTH MATTERS

The 5th Sunday in Lent

EXODUS 20:16 (MSG)
No lies about your neighbor.

1 JOHN 2:21 (MSG)
The truth doesn’t breed lies.

THE ESSENCE
When it comes to the wellbeing of neighbors, God thinks truth matters — no exceptions.

DAILY FODDER
"The truth doesn't breed lies." And we could add, "Lies can't  breed truth." 

PRAYER
Honest God, we appreicate that you are reliable and trustworthy. We live in an era where truth matters little and reshaping facts to fit an agenda has become an admired craft. It's easy for me to get sucked into that mode. Help me to be ever truthful and discerning of truth. It's clear that even if others are willing to bend the truth to make things happen, you're not at all that way. So I want to align with the truth, even if everyone writes me off as irrelevent. 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.