MIRRORS

PSALM 112:4 (CEV)

They will be so kind

and merciful and good,

that they will be a light

in the dark for others

who do the right thing.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:17-18 (CEV)
These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don't last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
To have a lasting impact focus on mirroring God's glorious light.

DAILY FODDER

• Why do we spend so much of our time and energy talking about the things which ail or trouble us? 
• What do we benefit from wallowing in our problems? 
• What does such wallowing prevent us from doing?

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful for the light you shine into the world and into my small corner of it. I confess that instead of redirecting that light onto the lives of the needy around me I dwell on the things which bother me. Redirect my focus to matters of eternal consequence. I'm going to allow you to reflect your goodness, kindness, and mercy off of me and onto those around me. As such I will be honoring Christ Jesus, the light of the world. 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.

I'M WAITING

PSALM 130:6 (ABP)
Lord, you have my full attention as I wait to see what you’re going to do. Just as the soldier standing guard during the night eagerly anticipates daybreak, I'm waiting.

JUDE 21 (ABP)
Y'all need to swim in God's love while you're waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to undrape a life so rich that it mercifully never ends.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Waiting for God's great reveal is thoroughly engaging.

DAILY FODDER
Why is waiting for God to act sometimes very agonizing and sometimes great fun? What makes it so?

PRAYER
Risen Savior, you have already given us a small glimpse of what new life looks like. Forgive me for allowing distractions to interfere with my assignment of attentively waiting for the fullness of your salvation to be revealed in the world and in my life. Keep me alert and on task. With your help I'll remain ready. 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.

NO HIDING

The Third Sunday of Easter

JEREMIAH 23:24 (NLT)
Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?”
says the Lord.

HEBREWS 4:13 (NLT)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You can't hide from God so don't bother playing that game.

DAILY FODDER
If you had to describe in a single sentence what an open and transparent relationship with God looks like what would you say?

PRAYER
All seeing and knowing God, the good news is that no injustice ever escapes your attention. The bad news is that no injustice ever escapes your attention – even those where I've been less than loving or honest or kind or... Forgive me for what you already know to be true. Help me to own up to reality and embrace the grace that is ours through Christ Jesus. I'm not going to try to hide things from you. 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.

HOME

PSALM 39:4 (NLT)
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1 (ABP)
We live as nomads now with deterorating bodies that will evetually collapse. But we know that once that happens God has a permanent place for us to live. Our new homes aren't like the human-made buildings which give way to entropy. Our new homes will be heavenly and eternally permanent.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live in light of the fact that your days on earth are quickly coming to an end.

DAILY FODDER
If you knew that your earthly life was going to come to an end tomorrow what would you do differently?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the gift of my life. Forgive me for living as though everything is destined to stay the same and without eternal perspective. Show me how to live each day aware of my eternal destination which is secured by Christ. I'm looking forward to something more stable. 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.