GOD LIVES AMONG US

ISAIAH 57:15 (MSG)
I live in the high and holy places,
   but also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed,
And what I do is put new spirit in them,
   get them up and on their feet again.

LUKE 24:29 (CEV)
They begged him, “Stay with us! It's already late, and the sun is going down.” So Jesus went into the house to stay with them.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God lives among us. 

DAILY FODDER
Why do you think that God would want to live around people like us when he has a high and holy place of his own? 

PRAYER
Holy God, it is difficult to imagine why you'd want to be around us. We're such failures when it comes to living out your will. Renew us through your presence so that your agenda becomes our agenda. I can't understand your gracious approach to us but I'm going to enjoy it and celebrate your 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CONCERN FOR THE POOR

Easter Monday

ISAIAH 1:17 (CEB)
Learn to do good.
Seek justice:
   help the oppressed;
   defend the orphan;
   plead for the widow.

ACTS 11:28-29 (CEB)
One of them, Agabus, stood up and, inspired by the Spirit, predicted that a severe famine would overtake the entire Roman world. (This occurred during Claudius’ rule.) The disciples decided they would send support to the brothers and sisters in Judea, with everyone contributing to this ministry according to each person’s abundance.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Active concern for the poor is a characteristic of all those who are under the influence of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

DAILY FODDER
How do we stay engaged with the problems of poverty when they are so prevalent that we can't escape them? How do we keep from tuning it all out so we can carry on with our lives? 

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, thank you for seeing homeless and oppressed people, often invisible in the eyes of society. Have mercy on those of us who turn away in the presence of poverty. Increase my awareness of the needs around me. Give me fresh ideas on how to relieve the widespread problems of poverty in this country and around the world. 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.

EASTER LIGHT

Easter

ISAIAH 42:16 (CEB)
I will make darkness before them into light
and rough places into level ground.

LUKE 24:30-31 (ABP)
Jesus sat down at the table to eat with the two disciples. He picked up the bread, blessed and then broke it before handing it to them. At that moment, it was as if their eyes were opened and they suddenly realized who Jesus was. But then, puff, he disappeared.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The light of Easter eventually breaks through.

DAILY FODDER
What are you doing today to actually celebrate the light of Easter? 

PRAYER
Risen Christ, thank you for whipping the forces of darkness. Because of you, the darkness in my life is giving way to the light. Because of you, I'm eager to have even more light in my life. I acknowledge that you are the Savior of the world and Lord over all creation. Alleluia! 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.

SUNDAY IS COMING

The Great Sabbath

ISAIAH 30:18 (MSG)
But GOD's not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.

JOHN 3:17 (MSG)
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus came into the world to set things right again.

DAILY FODDER
How does the death of Jesus set things right again? How do people embrace that salvation for themselves? 

PRAYER
Gracious God, I wonder what it was like in your Trinity on that day between Good Friday and Easter.  The mission of Jesus was half finished and he was incommunicado. I would have freaked out but you held steady getting things ready for Sunday. Help me to live that event with you and to trust in resurrection power, even when it seems "not yet" for me. I know that Sunday is coming. 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.