THE RESURRECTION

ISAIAH 25:8 (ABP)
With one big bite GOD will permanently chomp down death.

PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11 (MSG)
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The resurrection of Christ Jesus is the anticipated big game changer.

DAILY FODDER
How does the resurrection of Christ shape who you are and how you make everyday decisions?

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you gave up everything to position yourself to start the resurrection life rolling. Forgive me for continuing to live as though death is the final word. I want your resurrection and my participation in it to shape the rest of my life — forever. Show me step by step how to make that happen. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

HOPE, FAITH, AND JOY

PSALM 30:11 (ABP)
GOD, you've really turned things around for me. I'm no longer wearing my funeral clothes but you’ve given me a new pair of dancing shoes — and a reason to wear them out.

ROMANS 15:13 (MSG)
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God turns despair into joy.

DAILY FODDER
How much do you think about hope? What is the difference between wishful thinking and the hope that God instills in us?

PRAYER
God of hope, I've had my share of tragedy in life — so much disappointment, pain, and loss. But you've been here and experienced the same — so you get it. Thank you for the infusion of Christ-hope that breaks loose into joy.  Forgive me for throttling back in the very moments I should be foot loose. I'm depending on your Holy Spirit to renergize me for dancing. I'm going to go with the flow of hope, faith, and joy. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

COME TOGETHER

NUMBERS 11:23 (ABP)
GOD said to Moses, "So, you think I'm too weak to help you out?"

MATTHEW 18:19 (ABP)
Look! If even a couple of you are on the same page and are asking God for something, my Father in heaven will act on your behalf.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God wants you to know that he is capable and that he is there for you.

DAILY FODDER
If two idiots ask God to do something stupid is he obligated, based on what Jesus says, to do it?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for being here for us — even when we are disconnected and our numbers are small. It is so easy to slip into thinking that we've got to whip up a big crowd to get your attention. So we pour more of our energy into the crowd than in actually seeking you. Pull us together and help us to trust that you're ready to act. I know that good things — your godly things — happen when even a few motley believers gather and look to you. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

WEALTH

HAGGAI 2:8 (ABP)
"All the riches — the silver and the gold — belong to me," declares the Commander and Chief of Heaven’s Armies.

ACTS 4:32 (CEB)
The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't grasp too tightly that which isn't really yours.

DAILY FODDER
Does the idea of believers holding everything in common create anxiety or excitment for you? Practically speaking what should this look like in our modern context?

PRAYER
Generous God, everything belongs to you and you have invited us to participate in the management of your vast portfollio. Forgive us for thinking and living as though life is about personal accumulation. Help me to figure out how to hold all that I possess loosely. Give me wisdom so that I can share responsibly. And fill me with your passion for caring for those in need. I'm eager to spread the wealth. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.