WE LIKE SHEEP

ISAIAH 53:6 (MSG)
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.

1 PETER 2:24 (MSG)
He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus took-on and disarmed our sins so we could start to heal and live healthy righteous lives.

DAILY FODDER
Even though Christ has removed the weight of sin from my life, why do I still occasionally wander like a clueless sheep? You, too? 

PRAYER
Christ our Savior, thank you for dealing with the disorienting sin that kept me lost. Forgive me for slipping back into the old lost ways at times. Help me to follow your shepherd voice into luchious and healthy pasture. I know that I depend on you and will stay close to you. 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 ALONE

1 SAMUEL 7:3 (MSG)
Then Samuel addressed the house of Israel: "If you are truly serious about coming back to GOD, clean house. Get rid of the foreign gods and fertility goddesses, ground yourselves firmly in GOD, worship him and him alone..."

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 (CEB)
There is one God the Father.
All things come from him, and we belong to him.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ.
All things exist through him, and we live through him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
While there are many alternatives, if you really want to live pour your life into serving the Lord God exclusively.  

DAILY FODDER
What are the "foreign gods" that need to be purged from your life?

PRAYER
Risen Savior, you've shown that God is all-powerful and yet merciful. You are the only one worthy of our attention and allegiance. Yet, we try to "hedge our bets" and give attention to the power brokers of our day. Help me to truly grook that the only thing that pays off in the long run is serving you. I only want to please you. 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.

PRAYING

Easter Sunday

2 KINGS 19:14 (MSG)
Hezekiah took the letter from the envoy and read it. He went to The Temple of God and spread it out before God. And Hezekiah prayed—oh, how he prayed!

LUKE 9:28 (NTFE)
About eight days after this conversation, Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up a mountain to pray.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Prayer is the natural response to a change in situation. 

DAILY FODDER
In the gospels, how many times does Jesus pray after the resurrection? What about the disciples?

PRAYER
Hallelujah! We sing the songs of resurrection from the mountaintops. Now we continue to pray that your Good News will reach the ears of all whose hearts are hardened by doubts in this dark world. Risen Jesus, you are praying with us. By the Spirit we lay the lost before your throne. Our hope is in you, O Lord. 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.

THE DAY OF GOD'S FAVOR

Holy Saturday

ISAIAH 61:1-2 (ABP)
I've been possesed by GOD’s spirit, who has commisioned me to proclaim the year of GOD’s favor—the day when he is vindicated and those in mourning are comforted.

LUKE 23:43 (CEB)
Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Even from the cross, Jesus was comforting those who mourned over their sins—truly a time of God's favor. 

DAILY FODDER
Why is mourning associated repentance in the Bible? 

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, thank you for taking my sin to the cross where it was crucified. It truly was a day of your favor. As I enter into the mourning surrounding your death, show me how to mourn over my sins so that through repentance I might come to experience the forgiveness declared at the cross. It's all a bit overwhelming but I know that tommorrow is Sunday. 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.