BLESSED

Palm Sunday

1 CHRONICLES 17:27 (CEB)
For when you grant a blessing, O Lord, it is an eternal blessing!

MATTHEW 25:24 (MSG)
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation.'

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is eager to bless.  

DAILY FODDER
How does it make you feel when you realize that God has planned to bless you from the point of creation? 

PRAYER
Hossana! On this day, Lord, we recognize that your blessings were flowing even as the authorities were plotting to kill the Savior. You don't let anything stop you—even our sinfulness. I want to be a part of your culture of blessing so I'm eager to receive and give. Blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

JEREMIAH 16:20 (CEB)
Can humans make their own gods?
If so, they are not gods at all!

COLOSSIANS 3:5 (CEV)
Don't be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don't be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don't be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We have a problem with creating substitute Gods.

DAILY FODDER
How is it possible that greed is the same as idolatry? 

PRAYER
Glorious God, you have no peers in your being or your generosity. Yet, we have a propensity to turn the thrilling things of life into controlling gods. Even I do this. Help me to identify the things I have elevated and made so important that they have a say in how I live and who I am. Help me to reserve my adoration and worship for you. For you are the one who is truly worthy of it. Jesus proves your unlimited worth. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CREATOR

PSALM 102:25 (CEB)
You laid the earth’s foundations long ago;
the skies are your handiwork.

COLOSSIANS 1:16 (ABP)
Everything was created by Christ—everything in the skies above and the earth below—everything that is visible and everything invisible.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you're seeking the ultimate authority, you can't do better than Christ; for he is the creator.

DAILY FODDER
What happens in your head when you try to wrap your mind around the claim that Christ is the creator? 

PRAYER
Wondrous Creator, you are the one true God who laid the foundation of the earth. You formed the whole universe and all that is in it. My mind cannot comprehend it, but I can believe through faith in Christ Jesus. He is the eternal Word of God. Thank you for giving me life. Praise be to God. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

WISDOM

DANIEL 2:21 (ABP)
GOD is the source of wisdom for the wise and knowledge for the learned.

1 CORINTIANS 1:30-31 (NLT)
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Tap into Jesus for the wisdom that transforms.

DAILY FODDER
How might you benefit from additional divine wisdom?

PRAYER
God, you are the source of the wisdom that keeps everything working. Forgive us for thinking that we're smart enough to keep things going on our own. Give me enough wisdom and knowledge to understand how dependent I am on your wisdom. Strengthen my connection with Jesus so that I can become the kind of person you're calling me to be. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.