FOOTSTEPS

PSALM 112:1 (CEB)
Praise the LORD!
Those who honor the LORD,
     who adore God’s commandments, are truly happy!

1 PETER 2:21 (CEB)
Christ suffered on your behalf. He left you an example so that you might follow in his footsteps.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who end up the most satisfied with life are those who follow in the footsteps of Christ—even when that leads into suffering. 

DAILY FODDER
Following Christ is a matter of living in his dust. Yet, it's the kind of dust that makes you feel alive—even when there is some suffering involved. 

PRAYER
Merciful Jesus, thank you for your perfect life and sacrifical death so that I can live freely in your covenant of grace. Forgive me when I depend on myself to be perfect and good in your sight. Give me courage to live like you and willingness to follow you in hardship. Make my life a testament of your love. 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.

OUR SINFULNESS

The Second Sunday of Easter

JUDGES 10:15 (MSG)
The People of Israel said to GOD: “We’ve sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!”

LUKE 18:13 (MSG)
“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The first step toward a solution is to humbly acknowledge our sinfulness.

DAILY FODDER
Why is it so hard to confess our sins? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you for receiving even the most sinful of people into your presence. I confess that I have difficulty acknowledging my sins even though I know that you are merciful. Free me from all my anxieties about this issue. I'm going to keep it simple and matter of fact because I know that your forgiveness is fact. 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.

LET HIM OUT!

PSALM 35:28 (MSG)
I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,
   I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.

COLOSSIANS 3:16 (NLT)
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
If you're full of Christ let him out!

DAILY FODDER
Practically speaking, what does it look like when Christ fills a life?

PRAYER
Good God, thank you for sending Christ into the world. He has made a big change—especially for those who welcome him into their lives. Forgive me for taking this wonderful thing for granted. Keep filling my life with your presence until wisdom, direction, and songs of praise burst the seams, and the world around me starts to join in the song. I want the way that I live to shout "Hallelujah!" all day, every day. 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.

SPIRIT-POWERED NEW COVENANT

EZEKIEL 16:60 (MSG)
I’ll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I’ll make a new covenant with you that will last forever.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:6 (CEB)
He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not based on what is written but on the Spirit...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
We are ministers of the new Spirit-powered covenant executed by Christ Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
What exactly does it mean to be a minister?

PRAYER
Gracious Lord, thank you for keeping the relationship going—even as we fail to live up to your expectations. Thank you for sending Jesus to make it all right. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to empower us to live up to our calling. Might he help me in my role as a minister of the new covenant. I'm going to faithfully serve you and share the gospel with all who need to know about your faithfulness. 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.