THE POOR

PSALM 109:31 (CEB)
God stands right next to the needy,
to save them from any who would condemn them.

JAMES 2:5 (CEB)
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God sides with the needy.

DAILY FODDER
If the poor and needy are a top priority for God, what does that tell us about how we should prioritize our time, energy, and resources? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, your heart is bigger than we can imagine. Forgive us for focusing on the people who are the most like us. Expand our capacity to care for the poor. I'm looking forward to serving in your kingdom alongside these most prominent citizens. 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. 

OUR GUIDE

ISAIAH 43:16 (NET)
This is what the LORD says,
the one who made a road through the sea,
a pathway through the surging waters...

JOHN 14:3-4 (NLT)
Jesus said, "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our guide, leading us home to be with him.

DAILY FODDER
Where is your life going? How do you know you're on the right path?

PRAYER
Savior God, you led the people of Israel through the Red Sea by creating a dry pathway. You led them to safety and you continue to lead us to a place where our souls can be safe. Thank you for being our guide. I admit that I get anxious when I can't see a way forward. Help me to relax and trust you through the current incident and all the other crises that are coming. I fully expect to end up someday in a place dominated by your life-giving presence. 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.

READY TO SPEAK

2 CHRONICLES 18:13 (NET)
As certainly as the LORD lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!

2 TIMOTHY 4:2 (NET)
Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Always be ready to share God's message.

DAILY FODDER
What does being ready look like for you? What stands in the way of your readiness? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, you've  given us the good news of new life through Jesus, for which I am eternally grateful. But I can be slow to share the news, even when I sense your prompting. I worry about how I come across and whether I'm doing it right. So please help me to forget about myself and to bask instead in the glory of the story. I'm going to trust you for the words and wisdom to "preach the message." 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.

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.