WORD FOR THE DAY

Good Friday

GENESIS 35:15 (NLT)
And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him there.

MATTHEW 27:54 (MSG)
The captain of the guard and those with him, when they saw the earthquake and everything else that was happening, were scared to death. They said, “This has to be the Son of God!”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Word!

DAILY FODDER
How is it that a Roman soldier recognized Jesus for who he was while his own people missed it? What am I missing?

PRAYER
Savior, on this holy day I honor you for the sacrifice that secured our salvation. Through your pain, you spoke to us. Forgive us for our failure to really hear what you were saying. Clean my ears out so I can hear the message of Good Friday and Easter freshly. Through the words of Good Friday the world changed and I'm glad to be a part of the change. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

TEMPTATION

Maundy Thursday

PROVERBS 14:34 (ABP)
Right-living elevates a nation into greatness but indulging in sin plummets it into disgrace.

LUKE 22:39-40 (NLT)
Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
You can't be great in Jesus' regime if you give in to temptation.

DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus take his followers to the Mount of Olives on the way to the cross? 

PRAYER
Loving Savior, I can't imagine the pressure you endured on the way to the cross. But you overcame the temptation to escape or to call down angels to thwart your enemies. Forgive me for failing to take tests seriously. Help me to escape temptation and to join you in your mission to save the world. I'm going to stay awake and tuned into your way of overcoming evil. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE POOR

PSALM 109:31 (CEB)
God stands right next to the needy,
to save them from any who would condemn them.

JAMES 2:5 (CEB)
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God sides with the needy.

DAILY FODDER
If the poor and needy are a top priority for God, what does that tell us about how we should prioritize our time, energy, and resources? 

PRAYER
Merciful God, your heart is bigger than we can imagine. Forgive us for focusing on the people who are the most like us. Expand our capacity to care for the poor. I'm looking forward to serving in your kingdom alongside these most prominent citizens. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen. 

OUR GUIDE

ISAIAH 43:16 (NET)
This is what the LORD says,
the one who made a road through the sea,
a pathway through the surging waters...

JOHN 14:3-4 (NLT)
Jesus said, "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going."

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is our guide, leading us home to be with him.

DAILY FODDER
Where is your life going? How do you know you're on the right path?

PRAYER
Savior God, you led the people of Israel through the Red Sea by creating a dry pathway. You led them to safety and you continue to lead us to a place where our souls can be safe. Thank you for being our guide. I admit that I get anxious when I can't see a way forward. Help me to relax and trust you through the current incident and all the other crises that are coming. I fully expect to end up someday in a place dominated by your life-giving presence. 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 would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.