THE COMING RULE

ZECHARIAH 14:9 (CEV)
Then there will be only one LORD who rules as King and whose name is worshiped everywhere on earth.

REVELATION 22:3-4 (MSG)
Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Put your hope in God because eventually his rule will be recognized universally.

PRAYER
Glorious God, I rejoice that eventually your sovereign rule will be recognized across all borders. It's so easy to get discouraged and to lose hope when there is so much turmoil in the world. Help me to keep my focus ahead so that I reflect your glory onto the current chaos of the world. I'm going to live hopefully because I see what's happening now in light of what's coming. Amen.

COMPASSIONATE GOD

Palm Sunday

PSALM 3:8 (MSG)
Real help comes from GOD.
Your blessing clothes your people!

MATTHEW 9:35 (CEV)
Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God’s kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's compassion flows through Jesus.

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of Jesus into the world -- into my life. Through him, your compassion is clearly revealed. I want to carry on with his work but I'm driven by my self-interests and they get in the way of seeing the hurt in the lives of others. Tame the self-focus and give me compassionate eyes so that I can see how to proclaim the good news and extend healing to whoever needs it. Amen.

LIVE GRATEFULLY

DEUTERONOMY 8:12, 14 (CEB)
When you eat, get full, build nice houses, and settle down... don’t become arrogant, forgetting the LORD your God.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 (CEB)
Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Replace complacency with thankfulness.

PRAYER
Generous God, I'm grateful for all that you have provided for me. I know that I'm not very good at expressing my gratitude. I get so comfortable with all that I have that I lose track. Sometimes I become occupied with trying to squeeze more out of my life. Rekindle the gratitude so that it is an ongoing part of my life -- the life that grows out of my connection with Christ. I'm going to live gratefully. Amen.

TURN BACK

JEREMIAH 2:21 (CEV)
You were a choice grapevine,
but now you produce nothing
but small, rotten grapes.

REVELATION 2:5 (CEV)
Think about where you have fallen from, and then turn back and do as you did at first.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Turn back to serving God.

PRAYER
Lord of my life, thank you for the wake-up call given me through your word. I am sorry for my rebellious attitude and for any actions that affect your plans for my life. Bring me back to your loving arms of forgiveness. Cleanse my sinful heart. Help me to be faithful to your will in all that I do. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)