THE FOREVER POWER

ISAIAH 45:6-7 (MSG)
I am GOD, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness,
I make harmonies and create discords.
I, GOD, do all these things.

REVELATION 1:18 (NLT)
I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the forever Power who holds the keys to life and death.

DAILY FODDER
Death will never catch up with Jesus; and when we hook up with him he shares with us the benefits of his power, and his victory over all attempts to drag him down.  

PRAYER
Almighty Savior, death couldn't hold you. Forgive me for despairing when I see the forces of death as they express themslves in our modern world—hatred, polarization, tyranny, war, greed, racism, poverty... I wallow in the hopelessness of the news ignoring the hope that comes from living with a conquering Savior. Help me to tune out the despair and allow the hope that is you control my mind and my actions. I recognize that the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. 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.

RELIEF IS ON THE WAY

EZEKIEL 34:27 (NLT)
When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the LORD.

REVELATION 21:4 (NCB)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there will no longer be death.
Neither will there be any mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order has passed away.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live lives that anticipate the relief of divine deliverance. 

DAILY FODDER
What kind of relief are you most anticipating? 

PRAYER
Divine Deliverer, you have a strong history of rescuing those who call out to you. And you are promising a future where the pain that dominates this world will be eliminated. Forgive me for getting so caught up in the challenges of today that I fail to remember your promised relief. Show me how to live through today's pain confident of your promises. I understand that through Christ things won't always be this way and I will let the reality of that future shape the present. 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.

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.