THE KINGDOM DRIVEN BY HUMILITY AND MEEKNESS

ZECHARIAH 9:9 (ABP)
Look, your king is coming to you. He is the qualified champion of justice -- but humble and meek enough to ride on a donkey.

MATTHEW 5:5 (ABP)
God blesses the meek. Such people will be on top of the world -- in so many ways.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
In Jesus' upside down kingdom, everything is driven by humility and meekness rather than power.

DAILY FODDER
Meekness and humility are distinct but related concepts. Meekness is about how we treat others, while humility is about how we view ourselves. The world runs on money and power. Does Jesus really think that the humble can conquer the world through acts of meekness? Is this realistic?

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, you are the paragon of both meekness and humility. You have turned the world upside down by championing an economy built around these two concepts. I admit that I still struggle to embrace them as all-defining -- especially when power and control appear to be the essentials for getting things done in the world today. Set me on a donkey so that I can begin to see the influence that comes through sacrifice and reframe my world so that I can become a part of your new world order. Through my partnership with you I am going to strive for complete meekness and humility in my life. 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.

JOINING THE PEACE BRIGADE

HAGGAI 2:9 (ABP)
I, the Commander and Chief of Heaven's Armies, will give peace and prosperity to this place.

COLOSSIANS 3:15 (CEV)
Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Let the peace that comes from Christ define who you are and how you relate to people.

DAILY FODDER
If Christ is so much about peace, how is it that there is so much discord among his followers? Why did the apostle Paul feel compelled to say what he did to the Colossian believers?

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, Prince of Peace, we celebrate you and your peaceful agenda. We lament that we've failed so dismally in advancing peace and harmony. Half the time we're not even nice to each other. How can this be? We need to be more fully converted to you, Jesus. Set us back on track. Help us to set aside our own agendas and to live in peace even when we don't see eye to eye on some matters. I'm going let your peace start with me, starting today. 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.

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.