THE LORD'S HEALING

PSALM 38:22 (NLT)

Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my savior.

LUKE 18:40-43 (NLT)
     When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
     “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
     And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With good reason, we're faithfully waiting for the Lord to heal us. 

DAILY FODDER
What are the alternatives to looking to the Lord and waiting for his healing? If we wait for him, does that mean we ignore available medical treatments?

PRAYER 
Dear Lord, I wait on your promises to heal and restore those areas of my being that need your touch. In your timing, I will receive what you desire to give me. Make my life a witness of your work in me. Thank you for being the faith for me, Jesus, when I cannot see to believe. Today I glorify you. 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.

MERCY AND COMPASSION

The Second Sunday of Easter

PSALM 116:1 (CEB)
I love the LORD because he hears
my requests for mercy.

MATTHEW 18:26-27 (MSG)
The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Mercy and compassion are the godly responses.

DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus bang the compassion drum over and over? 

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for showing mercy to all who seek it from you. Forgive us for trying to fix things on our own and rigidly expecting others to step in line with us. Fill me with your mercy and compassion. I want my default reaction to be like yours. 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.

CONTENTMENT

ECCLESIASTES 5:10 (MSG)
The one who loves money is never satisfied with money,
Nor the one who loves wealth with big profits. More smoke.

1 TIMOTHY 6:7-8 (MSG)
Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Contentment makes more sense than personal ambition.

DAILY FODDER
What are the implications of these two verses in regard to a Christian's participation in capitalism? 

PRAYER
Great provider, thank you for your storehouse that gives me what I need. I don't need to be afraid or fearful, for in your grace I lack nothing. I am sorry I cherish money and what it can produce more than I value life with you. Change me I pray. In your death and resurrection, I belong to you. 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.

PERSISTENT PRAYER

1 SAMUEL 7:8 (CEB)
The Israelites said to Samuel, “Please don’t stop praying to the Lord our God for us, so God will save us from the Philistines’ power!”

PHILIPPIANS 1:19 (MSG)
And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Persistent prayer pays off.

DAILY FODDER
What have you been praying about for years, trusting that God is going to address the situation? What motivates you to continue?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for listening to my prayers. I confess that my attention span is short and that if I don't see immediate answers, I quit asking. Help me to keep on praying, even when I do not see anything happen. I know your timing is not my own and that you have your reasons to keep me waiting. I'm sure that they are better than mine. 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.