GOD'S AMAZING LOVE

PSALM 33:5 (CEB)
He loves righteousness and justice;
the LORD’s faithful love fills the whole earth.

ACTS 14:16-17 (MSG)
“In the generations before us, God let all the different nations go their own way. But even then he didn’t leave them without a clue, for he made a good creation, poured down rain and gave bumper crops. When your bellies were full and your hearts happy, there was evidence of good beyond your doing.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
There is evidence of God's love throughout the entire world.  

DAILY FODDER
God bends over backward to show love to the vilest of people, even as they reject him.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

And can it be that I should gain

An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?

Died he for me, who caused his pain?

For me, who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all! The immortal dies!

Who can explore his strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine!

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite his grace;

Emptied himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in him, is mine!

Alive in him, my living head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

PRAYER

God, even during this most troubling week, we see that you love the world that rejects you. Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God, shouldst die for me. I confess my indifference to the gifts given through creation, as well as your love, mercy, justice, and righteousness—all converging at the cross. Transform me into a spiritually sensitive person so aware of your generosity that it changes why and how I live. Tis mercy all! let earth adore. 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.

LIKE CHRIST JESUS

Palm Sunday

LEVITICUS 25:17 (NLT)
Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5 (NCV)
In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Because Christ came and now lives in you, it is imperative that you think and act like him. 

DAILY FODDER
I'm not the God-man so how can I even come close to thinking and acting like Christ?

PRAYER
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Jesus, your humble donkey ride into Jerusalem shows your willingness to love us sinners. While we continue to cheat, steal, and lie, you come to save us. Forgive us and show us how to enter your world yoked with you in dignity for one another. 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.

COMMISSIONED

JOSHUA 5:14 (NLT)
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

ACTS 26:15-16 (CEB)
Then (Saul) said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are harassing. Get up! Stand on your feet! I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as my servant and witness of what you have seen and what I will show you."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The Lord appoints servants, appointments which need to be received with seriousness.

DAILY FODDER
Have you sensed any type of comissioning (dramatic or otherwise)? How has that sense of call been playing out in your life? 

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for including us in your mission to restore the world. Forgive me for allowing distractions to keep me from serving you fully. Renew my sense of call. It doesn't need to be dramatic but I just need to hear from you, assuring me that I’m where you want me to be. I want to serve you as a witness of what I've seen and what you continue to show me. 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.

ETERNAL KINGDOM

PSALM 145:13 (ABP)
Your kingdom is an eternal monarchy;
No one will dethrone you—ever.

REVELATION 5:13 (MSG)
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Pledge your allegiance to Christ the King, for his reign is eternal. 

DAILY FODDER
Even the most stable government of today will not be around in a thousand years. All ideologies and regimes eventually crumble. But God's kingdom, that which centers around Jesus' way of doing things, transcends all change. So don't get wrapped up in the ups and downs of your favorite political entity. Instead, pour your energy into living out Jesus' kingdom agenda.  

PRAYER
Praise to you, Creator Lord! Your kingdom is near. You are the author and finisher of the faith of all. You give us blessing upon blessing to glorify your mighty acts as this world is fading. Soon, we will gather around with all the generations encircling the throne together in celebration. Hallelujah!  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.