LISTEN TO HIM

ISAIAH 43:3 (CEV)
I am the Lord, your God,
   the Holy One of Israel,
   the God who saves you.

LUKE 9:35-36 (CEV)
From the cloud a voice spoke, “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
After the voice had spoken, Peter, John, and James saw only Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is God's chosen savior, who alone is worthy of our attention.  

DAILY FODDER
How has God spoken to you about Jesus?

PRAYER
Gracious God, your carefully executed plan came to an apex with the arrival of our Savior Jesus. We confess, though, that in spite of our admiration and public allegiance to him, we are not good listeners. We let our own personal agendas muffle his voice and at time drown him out altogther. Give us new ears to hear Jesus. I want to allow his life and message to change everything about me—as scarey as that is. 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.

EMBRACING NEW LIFE

EZEKIEL 18:23 (ABP)
GOD asks, "Do you think I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? Of course not! I want them to turn their backs on sinful living in order to take up good living. Then they'll really be living!"

ROMANS 6:23 (MSG)
Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Abandon sin so that you can experience real life, as delivered by Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
Our lives aren't big enough to host both wild sinful parties and Jesus' life-giving party. Something has to go.

PRAYER
Generous Jesus, thank you for delivering new life through the cross and resurrection. Forgive me for my ongoing attachment to the things of the old sin-defined life. Help me to let go of all that is contrary to you and your ways. I want to start living a life defined by eternity. 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.

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.