Lent 2012 Devotional Book

8/3/2019 Lent 2012 Devotional Book

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changes everythingGRACE

Lenten DevotionalBooklet 2012


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Southwood Lutheran Church2

Sundy Service t 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.402.423.5511 [email protected] Address: p.o. box 22767 Lincln, 68542Physical Address: 9300 Sut 40t Street Lincln, 68516

Lenten and Easter

Worship ServicesLent nd Eter Oerin ill urt Sutd GllMiin rk in Hndur nd Tnzni. Over 70 eleill e ervin it Sutd t tee iin itedurin 2012.

Ash Wednesday Services Wednedy, Ferury 22 5:15 nd 6:30 p.m. Service it Hly Cunin

Lenten Mel erved 5:006:30 p.m.

Lenten Services Wednedy 6:30 p.m.

Ferury 29 nd Mrc 7, 14, 21 & 28 Service it Hly Cunin Lenten Mel erved 5:006:30 p.m.

Holy Week

Mundy urdy Aril 5 6:30 p.m. Gd Fridy Aril 6 6:30 p.m. Eter Service Aril 8

7:30, 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.


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Grace Changes EverythingLenten Devotional Booklet 2012 3

Der Friend,

Once in e enter ti en Lent.It ein it A Wednedy cld drkrd reeer tt yu re dut, nd t dut

yu ll return nd it end it te t jyurcltin ll te t i ety, He i rien!

Int it interetin rce cne everytin?

t ur Gd. t ur Gd rk. Frdrkne t lit, r deir t e, r rkent eled, r det t lie. Gd i ly t rk inur rld rinin ut renel, elin nd e. t

i te ee I e yu re iered in ti Lent. Gd i t rkin yur lie nd Gd i t rk (tru yu nd I) in ur rld.He i ly eekin t rin ut te kind cne tt rinundnt lie t ll.

i Lent yu ve t ecellent rtunitie t iere yurelin ti rce. One i ti Lenten devtinl k tt yu reldin. Ue ti dily tl t dr cler t Gd nd let it el

yu t e ttentive r Gd i t rk in yur lie nd in terld. Secnd, te rtrk in ti k i tken r iece rttt ill ce t lie durin ur ri in ti en. Pele rSutd ill e rkin t int cnv tt ill deict tetry Gd t rinin t lie te rce tt cne everytin!

nk yu t Micelle DeRu , r te tird yer ritten lu dy devtinl r yu. Her ritin i true it t urcnretin. nk yu l t De Pden rciuly reer rtitic kill it u ti yer. We re leed.

Blein t yu ti Lent. Reeer, rce cne everytin!

Ptr Sr


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Wednesday, February 22 Psalm 137:1-9

Hve yu ever deired r etin lt? Mye it lved ne lt t det. Or j lt t tu ecnictie. Or n itin r dre ded. ee re lnelytie, tie iltin nd deltin; tie en yuit eel ele nd deeted. i i ectly teIrelite elt en tey ere eiled, nd ny te Plreect tee eelin deir nd urnin. Yet tetrut i, ltu te rld i rken net in OldTetent tie nd nit i nt let itut e r

reir. A e ill ee durin ti Lenten jurney, Gd ly ln r d, even in te idt te drket tie.

Lord, as I begin this Lenten study, one that starts in a place ofbrokenness, please be with me and guide me along Your pathas I journey from darkness into Light. Amen.

Thursday, February 23 Jeremiah 29:1-7

Deite teir eeinly dire circutnce, te eiled

Irelite erd urriinly eul nd riin eer Gd. He encured te t ke e in teirlce l, t di in, literlly nd etriclly. Hedvied te t tke ctin, t rkt uild e, lntrden, ryt et uy inted tyin ired in deirnd elene. ru tee rd t te Irelite Gduet te e r u, t, e trule in ur n lce l nd eile. Kee vin in te rit directin, Gd tellu. Only He cn crete d ut rkenne, ut He need

u t rticite in te trnrtin rce.

If you are currently in a place of desolation and despair rightnow, or if you know someone who is, pray to God for guidanceand direction. Ask Him how you can actively participate inthis journey from loss to Light.

Build homes and plan tostay. Plant gardens and eat

the ood you produceAnd work or the peace and

prosperity o the city whereI sent you into exile. Pray to

the Lord or it, or its welarewill determine your welare.

Jeremiah 29:5 & 7

Beside the rivers o Babylon,we sat and wept as we

thought o Jerusalem.We put away our harps,

hanging them on thebranches o the poplar trees.

Psalm 137:1-2


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Friday, February 24 Jeremiah 29:10-11

It ey t le e en e re in te idt uerinnd in. We it even eel like quittin, like nin it

u, jut like te lit e red erlier ti eek etnd urned i l ile e un u i r. But in ti

vere, Gd tell u elicitly tt He ln r u, nd ttHi ln re d. i dent necerily en tt e illvid ll in nd uerin in lie, ut tt e ill ultitelyurvive ti erid l t nd Gd lriu dner u n te ter ide. Kn tt Gd i it yu yulr tru rdi. Kn tt nly He te er ttrnr ll tin int d.

Today, take a few minutes to reect on a period of hardshipand loss in your past. Can you see now how God led you fromthat place of pain into a plan for good?

Saturday, February 25 Jeremiah 29:10-14

Setie it eel like Gd cnt er u, r tt He ntlitenin, dent it? We ry, e it nd e nderi Heere? De He er e? Will He rend? In tee vereGd tell u clerly nd eticlly tt ye, He i litenin,ly litenin. In ct, it n cincidence tttee vere ce t te end ln lit intructin r Gd: uild, rk,kee vin in te rit directin,ve it tt y ln re dnd ve ll, ry: Lk re leertedly, nd yuill nd e. Dnt iveu, even en te rdi ru, Gd tell u.Kee lkin. Yu illnd Hi.

Today, make an eortto look for God. Keep

your eyes and ears

open for Him. SeekHis presence inyour everyday life.He is there, waitingto be found by you.

For I know the plans I haveor you, says the Lord.

They are plans or goodand not or disaster, to giveyou a uture and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

In those days when youpray, I will listen. I you look

or me wholeheartedly, youwill fnd me. I will be ound

by you, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:12-14


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Sunday, February 26

Admit it: tere re tie en yu ily tru tetin it. And yure nt lnee ll ll interid clcency in ur it nd ri. We ut curc every Sundy rnin. We recite te ryer ndin te yn eve knn ince Sundy Scl. We y elve Gd, tt e elieve in Gd, ut e re nt truly reentr Hi. Our ert nd ind re ditrcted y endle t-d lit r circutnce tt ur eynd ur cntrl. We reily ivin Gd li-ervice.

Or er yu eel like yure lredy din enuecue yure t curc every eek, r ecue yu ryevery dy, r ecue yu vlunteer in yur cunity. Yuure yurel tt yure din ectly t Gd require.Yu eel cndent tt Gd i leed it yur it lie nd

yur ervice t Hi.But yu it e rn.

e tricky rt it Gd i tt He nt ll u. Ntjut tellr curc ttendnce r reulr ryer. Nt evenuttndin cunity ervice r derence t Hicndent. Sin u int enu. He nt ucre tn d Critin rule-llin.

Gd nt ur le ert.

I yu dnt kn t it lk like r eel like t ive yurle ert t Gd (nd dnt rry, yu re nt lne inti), r i yu eel tuck in it rut nd dnt kn t rek ree, ry ut it. Pry t Gd r uidnce durinte net i eek ti Lenten tudy. Pry tt He en

yur ert nd ll it it re undertndin nd deeer,uller knlede Hi ill r yu. Tell Hi netly tt

yu nt t ive Hi yur le ert, nd k Hi t yu ectly t d tt. Ak tt He trnr yur ert

r ile rule-llin t true Gel-inired ert.

Lord, take these six weeks of Lent to transform me. Changemy heart, open it to Your Word, transform me from the insideout. Help me understand Your love for me, so that I may moredeeply and truly love you. Amen.

And so the Lord says, Thesepeople say they are mine.They honor me with their

lips, but their hearts are arrom me. And their worship

o me is nothing but man-

made rules learned by rote.Isaiah 29:13


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Monday, February 27 Luke 18:9-14

In ti rle Jeu decrie Priee lk

didinully t t cllectr, yet cnider iel clen in nd ree . Be net it yurelve yuever een te Priee in ti try? Hve yu ever uedtt yu ere etter tn ene ele, le ed? Hve

yu ever tut it relie tt yur in erent d ene ele? Cre tt crnul nd rud ttitudet te ule t cllectr, didnt dre even lit i eyer te rund en e ryed r rivene. Jeu ntur ule, ertelt reentnce, nd He nt u t ce

ere Hi it ur in lne, itut crin urelvet te e cnider re . e net tie yure tetedt cre, reeer t rin nly yur n in ereGd.

Today, take a moment to stand before God humbly andhonestly and ask Him to forgive you of your sins.

Tuesday, February 28 Psalm 51:10-12

It ey t et l in ur reltini it Gd etie,int it? We cut urelve lck nd let urelve tek, cnvincin urelve tt ur in re inr nd ttGd rce cver u nyy. But Gd deire illin ndlyl irit, nt lzy, ditnt ne. He nt dedicted,unverin ller, nt lckdiicl ne. Gd dent

nt rutine lve. He dent nt u t lve Hi ut it r litin. He nt u t ey Hi ut

lve, ecue e deire tt clene it Hi

nd need it t utin u in te everydy.Is your spirit loyal to God? Look closely

at your inner state today, and askGod to renew your spirit and

reinvigorate your love for Himand your desire to obey Him.

I tell you, this sinner, notthe Pharisee, returned home

justifed beore God. Forthose who exalt themselves

will be humbled, and thosewho humble themselves will

be exalted.

Luke 18:14

Create in me a clean heart,O God. Renew aloyal spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10


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Wednesday, February 29 Romans 12:1-2

Let Gd trnr yu. ink ut tt rd letitilie relinquiin cntrl, ndin ver urelvend ur live t Gd. We reit tt, dnt e? We ten dntll Gd t trnr u ecue e re rid, unillint trut Hi it ur le ein nd live, unillin turrender. Yet lettin Gd in, llin Hi t trnr yund cne te y yu tink i te key t undertndin Hiill r yu. Surrenderin ce ere trnrtin, ndtrnrtin recede undertndin.

Today, take ve or ten minutes to sit quietly and begin theprocess of letting God in. Ask Him for the help you need totrust Him. Ask Him to help you let go, to surrender. Let Himchange the way you think.

Thursday, March 1 Romans 3:21-24

Hve yu ever lked t ene ele in nd cnideredte re ereiu tn yur? Hve yu ever een te

Priee cndenin te t cllectr, like e red in terle cule dy ? I , yure nt lne. All uke ti itke r tie t tie. We reure urelve ur n lvtin y intin te ner t ene ele.We jude ter, nd in din , e i te le int:tt Gd er rce t ll eliever, n tter trciuteir in. Wt tter int uc te in itelrevery in erve t ditnce u r Gdut tt e re ll

jutied reely y rce.

e next time you are inclined to point a nger at someoneelse, remember that there is no hierarchy of sins. All sin

separates us from God. Instead, remember that God showersundeserved grace on each one of uson you, on your neighbor,on the stranger across the globe.

For everyone has sinned;

we all all short o Godsglorious standard. YetGod, with undeserved

kindness, declares that weare righteous. He did this

through Christ Jesus whenhe reed us rom the penalty

or our sins.

Romans 3:23-24

Dont copy the behavior andcustom o this world, but

let God transorm you intoa new person by changing

the way you think. Then youwill learn to know Gods will

or you, which is good andpleasing and perect.

Romans 12:2


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So now there is nocondemnation or those who

belong to Christ Jesus.And because you belong to

him, the power o the lie-giving Spirit has reed yourom the power o sin that

leads to death.

Romans 8:1-2

My words come rom anupright heart; my lipssincerely speak what I

know. The Spirit o God hasmade me; the breath o the

Almighty gives me lie.

Job 33:3-4 (NIV)

Friday, March 2 Romans 8:1-4ere i n cndentin. Perid. Dnt yu lve tetter--ct luntne tt tteent? ere re ndiclier, n clue, n ne rintit ile tteent ct. Yu re inner, tere n ettin rund tt. Butecue Jeu, yu re nt cndened. Wt re, yuve te er te Hly Sirit livin inide yu rcer reter nd re erul tn in nd det itel. Inttt te t eilrtin, liertin, lvin rcltin

yu ve ever erd?

Take a moment to thank God for this glorious, no-strings-attached gift of freedom. And then sit quietly for a few minutesand revel in the power and liberation of the life-giving HolySpirit working in you.

Saturday, March 3 Job 33:1-7

It ey t ll int te it tryin t ern Gd rce

tru ryer, ri r ct ervice. It ey t rettt erit-ed lvtin dent enter te equtin t ll,ecue rce en e receive lvtin n undeerved,unerited it. A Tity Keller reind u, te unert ill ten revert t it deult dete elie tt ere ved y ur d rk. Inted, y Keller, Svinit i trnerrin ur trut r ur n rk nd recrdt Crit rk nd recrd. e ct i, te Sirit Gdde u, nd it cntinuuly eer u, retin te

lry nd dne te Ality int ur everydy.

As an exercise in resetting the default mode of your heart,repeat the verse, e Spirit of God has made me; the breath ofthe Almighty gives me life several times throughout your daytoday, and reect on the fact that God works through you.


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Sunday, March 4

ee enin vere in Genei ke it cler tt e un ein ere de t rule ver ll cretinr te in te e nd te ird in te ky, t te detictednil, te ild nil nd even te tiniet creture. Gdnever id e uld ll ny tee entitie t rule veru, ut tt e uld rein ver te nd ri te nend nly true Gd.

And tt, cure, i ere Ad nd Eve ent rn.ey de n idl nt ut n nil, ut ut etinr re dneru: knlede nd er. eir crvin rknlede nd er en t queeze ut teir lve rGd. eir idl en t tke ririty ver Gd.

Ad nd Eve rent unique in teir e d uc te

e tdy. It y nt e lden cl r even knledett e idlize, ut tever it i tt tel ur ttentinr Gdney, teril ein, e, utrity,eri jut din. In idlizin tee entitie inted Gd Hiel, e re niulted y teir le er.ee idl tel ur tie, ur ttentin, ur reurce ndur el-rt. Ave ll, tey tel ur lve r Gd.

Today, think hard about what is stealing your attention fromGod. ese distractions are not harmless vices but damagingidols, driving a wedge between you and God. Ask God for helpin identifying the idols in your life and pray that He will help

you banish their inuence and power over you.

Then God said, Let theearth produce every sort

o animal, each producingospring o the same kindlivestock, small animals that

scurry along the ground,and wild animals. Andthat is what happened.

God made all sorts o wildanimals, livestock and

small animals, each ableto produce ospring o thesame kind. And God saw

that it was good.

Then God said, Let us make

human beings in our image,to be like us. They will reignover the fsh in the sea, the

birds in the sky, the livestock,all the animals on the earth,

and the small animals thatscurry on the ground.

So God created humanbeings in his own image. In

the image o God he createdthem; male and emale he

created them.

Then God blessed themand said, Be ruitul and

multiply. Fill the earth andgovern it. Reign over the fsh

in the sea, the birds in thesky, and all the animals thatscurry along the ground.

Genesis 1:24-28


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Yes, they knew God, butthey wouldnt worship him

as God or even give himthanks. And they began

to think up oolish ideas owhat God was like

And instead o worshippingthe glorious, ever-living

God, they worshiped idolsmade to look like merepeople and birds andanimals and reptiles.

Romans 1:21 & 23

When the people saw howlong it was taking Moses

to come back down themountain, they gathered

around Aaron. Come on,they said, make us some

gods who can lead us.We dont know whathappened to this ellow

Moses, who brought us hererom the land o Egypt.

Then Aaron took the gold,melted it down, and molded

it into the shape o a cal.When the people saw it,

they exclaimed, O Israel,these are the gods whobrought you out o the

land o Egypt!

Exodus 32:1 & 4

Monday, March 5 Romans 1:18-25

Sund ilir? We ll ke te itke tryin tdene Gd ccrdin t ur un tndrd, ur unliittin, nd cure, e il, ecue Gd cnnt eed in r cntined. He i r t i, t erul, teend tt y e te very ren e try t denend cntin Hi: Hi lendr nd nitence re t

uc r ur un ind t rce. And e turn urttentin nd ur ert t un dur j, nnce,e, itin, dreecue tey cn e nednd cntrlled in y tt Gd cnnt.

Be honest with yourself for a moment: do you focus too muchattention on idols because you resist surrendering entirelyto the one and only true God? Today, ask God to help yourelinquish control, and then rejoice in the freedom that comes

with knowing that God is indeed the Master of everything.

Tuesday, March 6 Exodus 32:1-6

Setie e et itient it Gd nd Hi tieline.We it eel cndent ut ur cllin nd cler utte t e re n, en uddenly, rre ee t tll.Like te erly Irelite, e r tired itin; e etrutrted, niu nd itient it t ee like lck rre, nd e re teted t tke tter int ur nnd. We nt t cntrl te itutin, inted itin rur net Gd-iven te t ece cler. Wt e ret, cure, i tt Gd ln de nt ll ur tieline.

Today, pray for patience and a bigger-picture perspective. Andknow in your heart that God is still at work on your behalf,even when it seems like Hes not.


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Wednesday, March 7 Galatians 4:8-12

ee vere re reinicent te erly Irelite teytd n te cu Cnn, till teted t return t teirrer lie enlveent in rein lnd, deite rteyd ce nd uc rre teyd lredy de (eeNuer :). Wy? Becue cne, even itive cne,i rd nd ritenin. Setie ere teted t erceur ld yte ek nd uele y te rldily ecue tey re ilir. Livin ut te Gelin te everydy i zin, liertin nd ll-cnuin,ut ccetin it cn e cry, t, ecue it require ullurrender t nd trut in Gd. Livin lie te y e lyve, tinkin te y e ly ve, i ey. But true,ertelt trnrtin entil rd rk nd ten requirett e tke rik.

Today, think about one area in your life where God is askingyou to stretch outside your comfort zone to embrace the Gospelway. And then pray for the strength and courage to keepmoving forward.

Thursday, March 8 Psalm 106:13-23

Hve yu ever elt ired in reent circutnce tt yu

lt it Gd ce tru r yu in te t?t ectly t te Irelite did, t. It n cincidencett Pl reet in tree erte vere (:,:, :) tt te Irelite rt Gd reviu ct kindne nd ll te ircle He d erred n teirel. ey ere rutrted nd itient it Gdeein inctin tt tey tk tter int teir nnd, cntructin lden cl t ri nd ll te ilerettin every ret ircle lredy iven t te y Gd.

e next time you doubt that God is working constantly onyour behalf, take a moment to reect on all the times in yourpast when He has come through, and pray for the trust, faithand patience to wait for Him this time, too.

They orgot God, their

savior, who had done suchgreat things in Egyptsuch

wonderul things in the lando Ham, such awesome

deeds at the Red Sea.

Psalm 106:21-22

So now that you knowGod (or should I say, nowthat God knows you), why

do you want to go backagain and become slaves

once more to the weak anduseless spiritual principles o

this world?

Galatians 4:9


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Friday, March 9 1 John 5:18-21

e NIV trnltin ti vere red, Der cildren,kee yurel r idl, ut te Ne Livin trnltini re ecic, ernlizin te dner idl it teintrductin te ert. e tt line i tt Gd nt

yur le ert. He dent nt qurter it, r l, reven .%He nt it ll. Jn i very cler ere en ern u t teer cler nytin tt ill queeze Gd ut Hi ritul lce in te center ur ert. Idl telce in ur ert. And te rd trut i tt tere ntr in yur ert r yur lie r t Gd nd yur idl.i dent en tt e cnt ve interet r leure ritin. It ily rnini ny tee ter re inur live ein t dinte r tke ririty, ere.

Ask yourself this, right now: what is squeezing God from myheart? What is occupying my heart-space? Pray for guidancein identifying the idols in your life and the wisdom and

strength to overcome them.

Saturday, March 10 2 Chronicles 6:36-42

In tee vere Sln ry t Gd r i ele, nde cn ue i rd n ele t ll in ur n

etitin r rivene ell. Dnt ret: Gd knyu inide nd ut. He kn t yuve deint n idl ln ere yu recnize it uc. He kn en yu try, en

yu nder, en yur ert i ntully dedicted t Hi. But dntlet tt intiidte yu, ecuere tn nytin, Gd i lredy t rive yu. Ntin

urrie Hi. Yu ily needt ll Sln led ndk Gd t liten t yurryer nd cnein.

Lord, you know my idols,my aws, my sins. Youknow where I have goneastray in my life andwhen I have not devoted

my heart entirely to You.I pray for Your forgivenessnow. I turn to You withmy whole heart. Amen.

I they turn to you with theirwhole heart and soul in the

land o their captivity andpray toward the land you

gave their ancestorsthenhear their prayers and

their petitions rom heavenwhere you live and uphold

their cause. Forgive yourpeople who have sinned

against you.

2 Chronicles 6:38-39

Dear children, keepaway rom anything that

might take Gods place inyour hearts.

1 John 5:21


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Sunday, March 11

I uein ny u dnt tink urelve riet.

We reerve tt title r ly ele, ele in itin utrity in te curc. But ere Peter tell u tt e re teriete reulr, rdinry ele re in ct ryl, lynd ecil ecil, in ct, tt Gd cnider u Hi

very n ein.

i en, cure, tt te rle nd reniilitiee it ue eln t clery eln t u ell. Were cred it ervin. We re cred it lvin ur

neir. We re cred it erin rivene t te ve rned u nd rerinin r judin terund u. We re cred it crin r te ick, te r,te irined nd te re cnidered utct ciety. We re cred it encurin, ryin r nderin iritul directin t ne nter.

Furterre, it ur reniility t re te Gel trut.We cnt ily eect te rdined t rec te GdNe r te ulit n Sundy rnin. It ur j t

re te Gd Ne, t, in ur n y nd in ur nlive. A Peter y, ecue e re cen y Gd, it iur duty t ter Hi dne, t let Hi lit inetru ur ctin nd rd.

Erlier in ti cter Peter reer t Gd ele telivin tne tt Gd i uildin int i iritul tele( Peter :). Jut like rick lid ne un te ter t rte trn undtin te tele, e Gd ele utrk teter t uild Gd kind ere n Ert.

Lord, You have blessed me with an important role: to serve asa holy priest in Your kingdom on Earth. Please help me takethat job seriously and to fulll that role as You see t. Show mehow You want me to serve You and Your people and guide mein the best ways to illuminate Your goodness.

But you are not like that, or

you are a chosen people.You are royal priests, a holy

nation, Gods very ownpossession. As a result,

you can show others thegoodness o God,

or he called you out othe darkness into his

wonderul light.

Once you had no identityas a people; now you areGods people. Once you

received no mercy; now youhave received Gods mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-10


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Monday, March 12 Galatians 6:7-10

It ey t et clcent in ur ervice t Gd. We et lzy.We reent te ct tt ur ert nd d rk dntee t y . Wy dent nyne ntice y rk? eit nder. Wy rent I kin ny rre? e itclin. Yet Pul reind te Gltin, nd u, tt ere ertin n ur n cedule, rter tn n Gd. At

jut te rit tie e ill re rvet, Pul reind u.We dnt kn en tt tie i, ut e ut cntinue trere r it nnetele.

Today, ask God for the perseverance and endurance to keepdoing good, even when you are weary or frustrated. Rememberthat God sees everythingyour service to Him does not gounnoticed.

Tuesday, March 13 1 Corinthians 12:12-26Tdy e ve t ny denintin t cunt, ec itit n unique tke n Critinity. Yet e ve ne criticleleent in cn: e re rt te dy Crit, nde ll re te e Hly Sirit itin u. It nt u t ut decide n u i let r t irtnt. In ct, Pul y lter in ti cter, e te rt te dytt ee eket nd let irtnt re ctully te tnecery. Gd decide te iece ll int lce. Our

j i ily t cre r ne nter.

Today, pray for the wisdom and insight to see beyondtheological or denominational details to the bigger picture ofChrists body, His church. Ask God to guide you in your specicrole in furthering His kingdom on Earth.

The human body has manyparts, but the many parts

make up the one wholebody. So it is with the body

o Christ. Some o us areJews, some are Gentiles,

some are slaves, and some

are ree. But we have allbeen baptized into one bodyby one Spirit, and we all

share the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

So lets not get tired odoing what is good. At justthe right time we will reapa harvest o blessing i we

dont give up. Thereorewhenever we have the

opportunity, we shoulddo good to everyoneespecially those in the

amily o aith.

Galatians 6:9-10


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Wednesday, March 14 Acts 9:1-19

Setie ere ked t initer t ene e it ntreect r even like. Suc te ce it Anni,

ked y Gd t cre r Sul. Initilly Anni reitedGd intructin. Knin Sul reuttin urderuerecutr Critin, Anni didnt ee ny int inelin i; e didnt nt nytin t d it Sul, nd erly tut Sul deerved i lindne. Yet deite idut, Anni litened t Gd nd eyed. Like Anni,e y nt nt t el ene e eel i unrty. Butte ct i, te cice i nt ur. Gd cll u t el evente e dnt rticulrly like.

ink about who in your life you are most reluctant to help.is may be exactly the person God wants you to reachout to today.

Thursday, March 15 Galatians 6:1-3

We ten et cut u in ur n el-irtnce. Peryu ld itin utrity t rk r re leder in tecunity, nd ye, i yu re relly net it yurel,

tere re tie en yu tink yu ve etter tin td tn er itnce t urdinte. Or yu ue

yur end i t ull irtnt tk t tke te tie tlend n er t ern need t tlk, r vent r rieve.Reeer, tu, t Jeu tell u tie nd tie inin te Gel: te rt ll e lt nd te lt ll e rt.Deite yur j title, yur itin, yur ince r yurtndin in te cunity, in Kind ierrcy, yu rent ny etter tn nyne ele.

Today, think about someone in your wide circle of friends,colleagues, acquaintances and family members, and oer helpto someone you know is in needparticularly a person youmight consider beneath you.

Share each others burdens,and in this way obey thelaw o Christ. I you thinkyou are too important to

help someone, you are only

ooling yoursel. You are notthat important.

Galatians 6:2-3

So Ananias went and oundSaul. He laid his hands

on him and said, BrotherSaul, the Lord Jesus, who

appeared to you on theroad, has sent me so that

you might regain your sightand be flled with the

Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17


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Friday, March 16 James 5:13-20

It cn e krd t tlk ut ur it, even n riendnd lved ne. Yet en e te eynd te ll nd tlk

enly nd netly ut ur er, elie nd even ur in,e ten tke ur it t deeer, re eninul level.Srin ur it, even te uly rt it, cnnect u tter nd el r ur cunity nd ur n it. Weten ue tt iritul directin nd cunelin cn cenly r reliiu eertiniter, riet, cunelr

yet it cler r tee vere tt e re clled t erve iritul directr r ec ter ell.

If you know someone who is struggling, take a deep breath and

courageously ask that person if you can pray for him or her.Let that person know that you are available if he or she needssomeone to talk to during their dicult time.

Saturday, March 17 James 5:7-12

Grulin niet itel in ny r, nd it eyt ll int te it it. We clin ut ur irrittinc-rker, neir nd ily eer. We le tience

it te ddlin cier nd te driver kin ln tve ile n ur el te eed liit. We erude teuccee ur riend nd te cclient urclleue. We r eerted it ur kid itke.Yet t ure de ti incent rulin erve?Clinin dent cne te itutin, nd re, itcrete netivity nd urter ditictin. In te end,clinin ut ter i utle r judentnd Je reind u ere, tere i nly ne true Jude.

Heres a challenge for today: can you go the whole day withoutcomplaining about anyone? If you succeed at that, next try awhole week!

Coness your sins to eachother and pray or each

other so that you may behealedMy dear brothers

and sisters, i someoneamong you wanders away

rom the truth and is broughtback, you can be sure thatwhoever brings the sinnerback will save that person

rom death and bring aboutthe orgiveness o many sins.

James 5:16 and 19-20

Dont grumble about eachother, brothers and sisters,or you will be judged. For

lookthe Judge is standingat the door!

James 5:9


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Sunday, March 18

It n cincidence tt te ct rin el i entinedtree tie in jut tee i vere. Pul i clerly tellin utt te ct rin el teterte cn rctice etin, drinkin nd enjyin ec ter cnytect itlity, cn nd uld e cnidered divineeerience. Ntice in rticulr tt Pul ecie ll el,nt nly te crent cunin. In ct, rin elteter ke Pul lit te t ur riritie: lerninut Jeu, cunity (elli), ryer nd rinel (includin te Lrd Suer).

We tend t tink rin el n rdinry, everydyctivity. Wile e kn te crent Hly Cunini ly eerience, e it verlk te iility tt

el in ur n kitcen r dinin r cn e ly ell.But Pul tell u tt ti ile ct itlityte ct enin ur e nd rin ur di n irtnty t cunicte Gd lve. It irtnt, in ct, tte include it it te ctivitie e nrl cite itreliin: ri, ervin, ryer nd elli. Nte, t,tt Pul cnider te dily el, te ne e enjy rundur n tle, n rtunity t re jy, enerity ndte Gel. Hi int: ly el int necerily liited t

te cnne curc.is week, take the opportunity to look at your own familymeals in a new light. e Divine is there, present at yourown kitchen table. How will you choose to share hospitalitywith others?

Monday, March 19 Romans 12:9-21

It und lvely, dent it: e redy t el ele in need

nd e eer t rctice itlity. But in relity, ti i tll rder. Pul i intentinlly nt ecic in ti ne rt

vere. He dent y, Wen yur riend r lved ne re inneed, e redy t el te. Hi dvice i rd: en Gdelend tt en everynere in need, e redy tel. t include yur nnyin crker nd te neir

yu dnt rticulrly like. t en te ilin yu dntet ln it nd te cild i n yur lt nerve. teven en te trner yu ee uddled under red

lnket n te treet crner. It true, yu cnt el everyne.But yu cn el enend jut kn, ever yuce t el i ne Gd n.

Start small, start now. It doesnt matter who you help, butmake it a point to help one of Gods own today.

When Gods people are in

need, be ready to help them.Always be eager topractice hospitality.

Romans 12:13

All the believers devotedthemselves to the apostles

teaching, and to ellowship,and to sharing in meals

(including the Lords

Supper), and to prayer.A deep sense o awe

came over them all, andthe apostles perormedmany miraculous signs

and wonders. And all thebelievers met together in

one place and sharedeverything they had. They

sold their property and

possessions and shared themoney with those in need.

They worshiped together atthe Temple each day, met inhomes or the Lords Supper,and shared their meals withgreat joy and generosityall the while praising Godand enjoying the goodwill

o all the people. And each

day the Lord added to theirellowship those who were

being saved.

Acts 2:42-47


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Tuesday, March 20Acts 16:11-15

It it ee like ile ct, utin relity, Lydi r ytir ctedldly en e invited Pul nd teter dicile int er e. Lyditk te vere e red yeterdy r

Rn t ert: e eerly rcticedtrue itlity e ered er et ru ery trveler. ink r inute, tu, ut te relity Lydi itutin. Here n in trircl ciety eneruly eneder e t ru le trner ed jut et. Lydididnt eitte. Se didnt rry ut t er neir rriend it tink r y, r tey it jude er r

invitin le trner int er e. Se ily ut erit int ctin.

Are you ever reluctant to reach out to others because youreafraid of what people might think or say about you? e nexttime you hesitate, remember: in serving one of Gods own, youare serving God Himself, and thats all that really matters inthe end.

Wednesday, March 21 Hebrews 13:1-3i vere i te erect cleent t Mtte :, inic Jeu tell Hi ller, I tell yu te trut, tever

yu did r te let tee rter ine, yu did re. We re creted in te ie Gd. We re Hi lyele, Hi cen ne, Hi t treured ein. AndHe eect tt e ill cre r ec ter, even te trnern u, it tt in ind. e Hly Sirit, Jeu Hiel,i in ec ne u, ic en tt e encunter Hi

every dy ur live in ec ern cre ur t.

Today, each time you look into the face of a stranger, think toyourself, I am looking into the eyes of Jesus Christ. See howthat changes the way you approach and interact with the

people who cross your path.

Keep on loving each otheras brothers and sisters.

Dont orget to showhospitality to strangers, orsome who have done this

have entertained angelswithout realizing it.

Hebrews 13:2

She was baptized alongwith other members o herhousehold, and she asked

us to be her guests. Iyou agree that I am a true

believer in the Lord, she

said, come and stay at myhome. And she urged us

until we agreed.

Acts 16:15


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Thursday, March 22 1 Peter 3:13-17

A quetin ut yur it i te erect rtunityt re te Gd Ne Jeu Crit. Hever, te

net vere tte, e ut tke cre t d ti ently ndreectully. In e ce Critin ve rnered dne r teelve reult evy-nded rlizinnd judentl recin. In te end, ti rc uullyliente nn-Critin nd etlie n inccurte icture te Critin curc. I ene k ut yur it, yll en, elin Gd rk in yur lie nd y yuri Hi nd lve Hi. Better yet, ue yur everydyctin nd ttitude t dentrte te er te Hly

Sirit nd te lit Jeu Crit inin tru yu.

Lord, today I pray for the courage to talk about my faithwithout defensiveness or judgment, but with gentleness, graceand humility. Amen.

Friday, March 23 Matthew 5:13-16

Yu it red tee vere nd tink, Wit ecnd: Itut Jeu te Lit te rld? Wy i ti vere

tlkin ut e te lit? But tt ectly te int.Wen Gd creted u, e de u in Hi ie, nd ene ere tized, te Hly Sirit lled ur ind, ertnd die, uidin u t lk in te y Jeu ll tedy ur live. e lit Jeu i ur lit; Hi lit iitin ec u nd ine tru ulike rillint citylit illuintin te nit ky; like l ctin littruut te ue. It ur rle ere n Ert t kerer ue tt litt ine it n ter tt tey,

t, y lie te dne te Lrd in te lnd telivin.

You contain the light of Jesus, and you have a choice as to whatyoull do with that light. Will you snu it out? Or will youallow it to shine brightly as a blessing to others?

You are the light o theworldlike a city on a

hilltop that cannot behidden. No one lights a

lamp and then puts it undera basket. Instead, a lamp is

placed on a stand, whereit gives light to everyone in

the house. In the same way,let your good deeds shine

out or all to see, so thateveryone will praise your

heavenly Father.Matthew 5:14-16

Instead, you must worshipChrist as Lord o your lie.

And i someone asks aboutyour Christian hope, always

be ready to explain it.

1 Peter 3:15


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Saturday, March 24 Romans 15:9-13

Trut recede true e, jy nd ece. Only in urrenderint te ill Gd nd trutin tt He ld u in te l Hi nd re e le t en ce tt cn e lledcletely it true e, jy nd ece. e euty ndit ti trnrtin i tt te llin never endteHly Sirit ill cntinully releni ur uly tt e

ver it ti relendent, cndent e, cntiue tt lee nd intill te e Jeu Crit in llte rund u. Gd e, jy nd ece re te ittt kee n ivinreceived y u nd verin tter in never-endin cycle rce.

Do you suspect that you have not opened yourself totrusting fully in God? Pray that you surrender to His willand that the hope, joy and peace that can come only

from Him ll you to the point of overowing.

I pray that God, thesource o hope, will fll you

completely with joy andpeace because you trust in

him. Then you will overowwith confdent hope throughthe power o the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13


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Sunday, March 25It ey t verlk te ct tt Ad nd Eve ere cretednd lced y Gd in te Grden Eden r rcticlurent jut t enjy te Grden nd k in it euty,ut t tend nd tc ver it. We iine Ad nd Eveenjyin teelve, rlickin idt te r nd un,cin ne r ec te nil. But Ad nd Evel d jtey ere cred it tkin cre teGrden.

e int i, e ere creted t rk. We ret ttetie, dnt e? We clin ut drin urelveut ed n Mndy rnin nd edin t rk.We tink ut te dy en e re nlly retired nd cnkick ck nd rel, te dy en ur cildren re rnnd e dnt ve t ke cl lunce r el it terk r lunder r-tined jen.

Gd culd ve creted itutin r Ad nd Eve in

ic te Grden tk cre itel. He Gd ter llHeculd ve et u te Grden Eden ny y He nted.But e ureully ve Ad nd Eve rle; e ve teetin t d. He nted te t rk.

e e i true r u, t. Gd creted ec ne u trk. Our rle re dierent nd divere. T e uHe ve lederi kill, t ter te it tecin rcretkin. T till ter He ve itin nd drive. Ntll ur rle re lru. Nt ll u rk in lie-r-

det envirnent. But ec ne u n irtnt,Gd-iven j t d.

Gd eect tt e ill rc ur dily rk r tit i: i cllin. Rter tn clin ut ur j,r ine r te dy en e cn e dne it te, Gdeect tt e ill rk trd rin Hi kindn Ert in tever ccity e cn nd in tever rlee nd urelve. ere i lenty r t r Gdkind in every rklce. Our t irtnt j i trecnize tt ct nd ct n it.

Lord, as I begin the new week tomorrow, please change myattitude toward work. Please help me see my job as You do: asa high calling and an opportunity to live out Your vision for

growing Your kingdom here on Earth.

The Lord God placed theman in the Garden o Eden

to tend and watch over it.

Genesis 2:15


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Monday, March 26 Colossians 3:18-25

It interetin tt ti trnltin red tu yu ere

rkin r te Lrd. Ater ll, int tt ectly e rerkin r en it ce rit dn t it? Yet e ten ite ier icture. We cu n ur in te ce, nd eret tt te line utrity de nt end tere. We rettt every unctin e err in ur dily rketere rk inide te e r ut iti en t nrGd. Our everydy rk i ur i cllin, ut ten ednt vie it r rc it tt y.

Today, before you begin your days work, remember the Masteryou serve and give thanks for another opportunity to serveHim well. Remind yourself that in everything you accomplish,you are working for the Lord.

Tuesday, March 27 Matthew 6:19-21

Gd nt u t rk in Hi ne, nd He delit in urucce, ut tt dent uet tt He nt u t rdeur elt nd tckile ur reurce r urelve nd ur

clet lved ne. e Gel ke it cler in nd intt e uld lve Gd nd lve ur neir. And enGd y lve yur neir, He dent ily en tte ke riendly ct ver te ckyrd ence nce r tice nt. He dene lve crin r, ervin, urtinnd encurin. Wen e kee t ny reurce rurelve, tee reurce ein t tke n lie teir n.e treure ece i, irtnt nd eninul, ndn teyve rn int idl, tkin u ce in yur ert

nd uin Gd ut t te rine.

is week, take an honest inventory of your resources and howmuch heart real estate they occupy. Pray for the wisdomand courage to store up Heavenly treasure rather than theephemeral earthly kind.

Work willingly at whatever

you do, as though you wereworking or the Lord ratherthan or people. Remember

that the Lord will give you aninheritance as your reward,and that the Master you are

serving is Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

Dont store up treasures hereon earth, where moths eat

them and rust destroys themand where thieves break in

and steal.

Matthew 6:19


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Wednesday, March 28 Luke 3:10-14

ee vere cn e urized in t ile rd: ivend re. i t Jeu ent en He cndedu t lve ur neirnt lve in vue, ruy, ut lve ereed tnily, tru ctin. Jeu didnttlk lt ut eelinHi lve dened y ctin, ndtt t He eect u. Jn rd ere ere ectlytt. Jn int ekin ut vue dentrtin lvend cin. Inted e er ecic intructin r e uld lve: i e ve re tn enu, e need tive nd re it ter.

You undoubtedly have more than enough, or at least morethan what most people around the world have. Decide today:what one thing can you give away or share? Your money?

Time? Food? Clothing? Pick something, even just one thing, togive or share, and then make it happen.

Thursday, March 29 Ephesians 4:25-31

Mny u ue tt e deerve te ruit ur lr.Hey, I rked rd r ti yceck. I deerve t enjyt Ive erned, e ren. But tt ere e re rn, cure, ecue nne ur ernin re truly ur. It ncincidence tt net lr nd enerity re linked in te

very e vere ere. Ater ll, Gd leed u it te killnd tlent e ue t ern ur livineverytin tte cnider ur i r Hi nd r Hind He eect tt e ill re urlein lvily it ter.

Do you ever nd yourself with anI deserve mentality? Whenthat happens, remember this:

you dont deserve a singlething. Gods amazing

grace is the one andonly reason for everyblessing in your life,and He expects youto perpetuate thatcycle of grace by

generously giving

to others.

I you have two shirts, giveone to the poor. I you have

ood, share it with those whoare hungry.

Luke 3:11

I you are a thie, quitstealing. Instead use yourhands or hard work, and

then give generously toothers in need.

Ephesians 4:28


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Friday, March 30 Psalm 90:13-17Setie e ret tt Gd delit in ur uccee. Weret tt it nt n inerently d tin t e ucceul inur ert nd endevr. Sure, Gd nt u t erve tereneruly, ut e l nt t ee u e ucceul in ur

j, in ur rentin nd in ur e lie nd reltini.He nt u t erevere, t cieve ur itin nddre. Gd kn tt un ein, e ve drive t

cieve nd t ucceed. He creted u tt y; He leed uit tt drive. And He delit en e ue ur Gd-ivenitin t urter Hi kind n Ert.

Today, pray to God that He will make your eorts successful,and ask Him to keep you focused on using your ambition and

success to bless others.

Saturday, March 31 Matthew 11:28-30

ere re tie en livin lie i rk. It y e tt yure uerin tru n illne, te det lved ne, rte l yur j. Yu y e trulin it rentin rnter trined reltini. Or yu y ily eel urnedut, euted nd deleted y yur dy-t-dy eitence.Jeu reind u tt tere i tie r rk nd tie rret. Mt u nelect te ret rt, yet tere re ccinin ur live en e need t nd urelve ver t Hi, tunurden urelve nietie nd er. Jeu ill tke yur

evy urden in ecne r litne nd e. Yur j it let Hi d ectly tt.

Jesus, You alone know the weight of this burden I bear. Helpme relinquish this struggle and hand it over to You. Release me

from this weight and let me rest in You. Amen.

And may the Lord our Godshow us his approval and

make our eorts successul.Yes, make our eorts

successul!

Psalm 90:17

Then Jesus said, Cometo me, all o you who areweary and carry heavy

burdens, and I will give yourest.

Matthew 11:28


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Palm Sunday, April 1

Hve yu ever elt jrred r unnerved y te dirityeteen te juilnt celertin nd eecttin ticene nd te ue nd rejectin tt ll quicklyter? Jeu ride int Jerule triuntly, t cru rie, ceer nd ri, nly t ve te tle turnedint Hi drticlly nd vilently nt ln ter. Wy?H culd tt ily ve ened, e nder? Hculd te ele ve turned int Hi quickly?

It ll ce dn t eecttin tt rt Pl Sundy. eele d very cler eecttin t teir Svir uldlk like, He uld ct nd He uld reetlite kind nd te rein te Je ver te Rn. Anden Jeu didnt live u t te eecttin, en He

didnt ct te tye Kin nd Svir tey d enviined,te ele ndned Hi.

Wed like t tink e uldnt ve rected te e y,d e een te ele d td n te ide te rdt elce Jeu t Jerule. Wed like t tink e uldve reined lyl ller Jeu t te end. Yet ny u re uilty iilr etryl, even tdy, t tund

yer lternd even en e kn te try end. We,t, re cle turnin r rie t rtet. We, t, re

cle ndnin Jeu.

Hve yu ever ed r even eected Jeu t lve rle in rticulr y? Hve yu ever ryed r certin relutin r utce, nly t nd yureldicured tt Gd didnt ee t er yu r cetru r yu? Hve yu ever turned y r Gd inner r diintent ecue it eeed like He didnt u r rvide te reedy tt yu deired?

Mt u ve elt ti y t e int in ur live. Mt u ve eerienced diintent, dicureent,rutrtin, ner, rr r elene en ur ryerr e erent nered y Gd te y e nted reected. And e y nt nt t ee it ti y, ut teeelin, tt turn r Gd, i nt unlike te y te erlyller turned r Jeu.

e int Pl Sundy r u i tt e d kn telriu end te try, ic i ectly t e need t

reeer durin tie nui, uerin nd drkne.Jeu i it u lyeven en e cnt ene Hireence, even en it ee like He nt tere. And He i

As Jesus and his disciplesapproached Jerusalem,

they came to the towns oBethphage and Bethany onthe Mount o Olives. Jesus

sent two o them on ahead.Go into that village overthere, he told them. Assoon as you enter it, you

will see a young donkey tiedthere that no one has ever

ridden. Untie it and bring ithere. I anyone asks, What

are you doing? just say,The Lord needs it and will

return it soon.The two disciples let andound the colt standing inthe street, tied outside theront door. As they were

untying it, some bystandersdemanded, What are you

doing, untying that colt?They said what Jesus hadtold them to say, and they

were permitted to take it.Then they brought the colt

to Jesus and threw theirgarments over it,and he sat on it.

Many in the crowd spreadtheir garments on the roadahead o him, and others

spread leay branchesthey had cut in the felds.

Jesus was in the center othe procession, and thepeople all around himwere shouting,Praise

God! Blessings on the onewho comes in the name o

the Lord! Blessings on thecoming Kingdom o our

ancestor David! Praise Godin highest heaven!

So Jesus came to Jerusalemand went into the Temple.


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ly rkin in ur et interet, vin ur y trdHi lit. He y nt rk in te y e eect, r even inte y ed reer, ut He i rkin indeed.

Lord, help me rely not on my own expectations of You, butsimply on You. Help me trust You, Lord, Amen.

Monday, April 2 Luke 10:25-37

Jeu intentinlly lled te cndent, Lve yurneir yurel (Luke :) it te try teGd Sritn t dentrte te redt nd det Hi denitin te rd neir nd lve. We, nte ter nd, nt t kee tee denitin ll ndliitin ile. Ater ll, it reltively ey r u t lveur ilie nd riendt cre r te, t erve te, t

er te ercy. But t ut te irrittin c-rker?e neir drive u inne? e ern rctice reliin r cut e cnider rein r even rn? eern led rdiclly dierent lietyle tn e d?e dru ddict r te ern irined r urder? Aree eected t lve tee ele, t? Are e eected t te ercy nd cin? Are e eected t ervete, t? Pele e dnt like? Pele e dnt reect?Pele e dnt undertnd? Pele e er? Jeu

ile ner r u: Ye.Today, think honestly about a person you would least liketo serve. And then pray to God not only to ll you withcompassion, mercy and love but also to nd a demonstrableway to serve that person.

Tuesday, April 3 Hosea 6:4-6

Gd de nt nt rced lve. Gd de nt nt lited

lve. Gd deire lve tt nturlly ut ur itin nd ri Hi, ic in turn r Hi it rce t u. Merely in tru te tin reliinllin te cndent, titin, ttendin Sundyriint nerly enu r Gd. He nt ur ert,ind nd ul in reltini it Hi. i kind lve,ti kind reltini, ein t uri nce e enurelve ully t Gd nd ll Hi rce nd lve t eeint ur ert.

Are you simply practicing religion? Know that God wantsmore from you. e rst step is to accept His ever-present love

for you. Immersing yourself in His love will unleash your lovefor Him and enable that love to ow back to Him.

Now which o these threewould you say was a

neighbor to the man whowas attacked by bandits?

Jesus asked. The manreplied, The one who

showed him mercy. ThenJesus said, Yes, now go

and do the same.Luke 10:36-37

I want you to show love,

not oer sacrifces. I wantyou to know me more than I

want burnt oerings.

Hosea 6:6

Ater looking aroundcareully at everything, helet because it was late in

the aternoon. Then hereturned to Bethany with

the twelve disciples.

Mark 11:1-11


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Wednesday, April 4 Micah 6:6-8

In te e recedin ti vere, te Irelite nder teet y t ri Gd. Yet tey i te le int inteir cu n teril tin: yerlin clve, tund

r, ten tund river live il nd even te crice teir rt-rn cildren. ey re lind t te ct tt Gd int intereted in teril it. Gd dent nt ur neyi ur ert int inveted in te it. He dent nt u t tryt ern Hi vr r in Hi ver it rie drtinnd ri. He ily nt ur enuine, it-iniredctin t cel u t ct jutly, lve ercy nd lk ulyit Hi.

For the rest of this week, keep these three requirements at thetop of your mind, and then check in with yourself periodicallythroughout each day to see if you are doing what is right,loving mercy and walking humbly with God.

Maundy Thursday, April 5 John 13:1-17 & 31-35

Jeu eriu en e intructed tt e lve urneir; eriu, in ct, tt He dded it t Gd lit te riinl Ten Cndent. I ivin yu ne

cndent, Jeu tell te dicile ter He eteir eet. Lve ec ter. Jut I ve lved yu, yuuld lve ec ter. It tll rder, int it: t lve ecter jut Jeu lve ec ne u? H cn e ilylive u t tt? Ater ll, ile Jeu inllile, e reuninul nd ed t ur cre. Jeu kne tt utHi dicile, jut He kn tt ut u, yet He lve udeite ur yrid . We dnt ly ucceed in lvinter, ut en e d, e erve inin ele

Jeu Crit.

Jesus considered loving others so important that he made ita commandment. Whats one tangible action you might taketo live up to that commandment this week? How might youwash anothers feet?

No, O people, the Lord hastold you what is good, and

this is what he requires o

you: to do what is right,to love mercy, and to walk

humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

So now I am giving you anew commandment: Love

each other. Just as I haveloved you, you should love

each other. Your love orone another will prove to

the world that you aremy disciples.

John 13:34-35


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Jesus answered, MyKingdom is not an earthly

kingdom. I it were, myollowers would fght to keepme rom being handed over

to the Jewish leaders.But my Kingdom is not o

this world.

John 18:36

Good Friday, April 6 John 18:33-37

Wile te true Kind it u in Heven, e reitken i e ue Jeu nt u t et ur it nly nttinin eternl lie. Jeu nt u t live ut te Kindin te ere nd n, tt ter y lie int telrie tt re t ce. A te Sn Gd, Jeu kne tited Hi ter det; He kne Hi tie n ert liited. Yet in Hi yer n Ert, He lived nd retedKind trut nd vlue int Hi every ctin ndinterctin, nd He eect u t d te e. A RicrdStern rite in e Hle in Our Gel: e eltele elen uc re tn te ernl lvtin individule le el i viin r uerin inGd kindn, nt in e uture tie, nd ere, nert, nt in e ditnt even.

Are you ready to broaden your vision of Heaven to encompassthe here and now?

Saturday, April 7 John 19:38-42

Bt Je Arite nd Nicdeu id teir elieile Jeu live. ey ere rid t ll Hi uliclyecue tey didnt nt t rik teir itin utrity

in te cunity. Yet ter Jeu det, it Je nd Nicdeu ce ut idin t err te dnerutk tkin Jeu dy rte cr nd lvinly rerin itr uril. Je nd Nicdeuculd ve rried r deiredtt teyd ce t it t lte.ey culd ve ket quiet,

uin, Wy ter n?Jut ret itit t lte.But tey didntintedtey ldly nd rvelyut teir it int ctinr ll t itne.

Lord, please give me thecourage to act boldly in

faith. Help me overcome

my fear of sharingmy faith and provideopportunities for me to

proclaim my love for You.Amen.

Aterward Joseph oArimathea, who had been

a secret disciple o Jesus(because he eared the

Jewish leaders), askedPilate or permission to take

down Jesus body. WhenPilate gave permission,

Joseph came and took thebody away. With him came

Nicodemus, the man whohad come to Jesus at night.

John 19:38-39


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Easter Sunday, April 8Yu it nder in terld Mry didnt recnize tereurrected Jeu. Ater ll, edknn Hi ell durin Hi lietiend ent cuntle ur it Hi.N e td t Hi very t, tt Hi dy iin nderved t ite-red nelittin ere Hi dy d een. ein ee viu, dnt tey? Yet Mrydidnt recnize Jeu, even en e tdere er nd ke t er.

Mry Mdlene linded y er circutnce. Mreeciclly, e linded y rie, uc tt e culdnt erceive te very rel reurrected Jeu tndin rit inrnt er.

I it nt te e r u etie?

Any nuer circutnce cn lind u t Gd very relreence in ur live. Mye, like Mry, it rie. Mye yure lkin tru vlley drkne rit n, rievinte l lved ne nd eelin lnely, ilted ndndned.

Or er it ily uyne tt iniit yur ility tee. Hve yu lled yur lie ull it litin, rk nd

cilizin tt yu vent lled yurel te tie t itquietly in Hi reence?

Mye, e tlked ut erlier ti Lent, it n idl ttlindin yu. Are yu cuin t uc ttentin n lr dre, r n teril ein? Or er it ner,

Mary was standing outsidethe tomb crying, and as

she wept, she stooped andlooked in. She saw two

whited-robed angels, onesitting at the head and the

other at the oot o the placewhere the body o Jesus had

been lying. Dear woman,why are you crying? the

angels asked her.

Because they have takenaway my Lord, she replied,

and I dont know wherethey have put him.

She turned to leave andsaw someone standingthere. It was Jesus, but

she didnt recognize him.Dear woman, why are you

crying? Jesus asked her.Who are you looking or?

She thought he was thegardener. Sir, she said,

i you have taken himaway, tell me where you

have put him, and I will go

and get him.Mary! Jesus said.

She turned to him and criedout, Rabboni! (which is

Hebrew or Teacher!)


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About the Artist:De Pden, cntriuted te rtrkr ti devtinl, een eer Sutd r 19 yer. Se i rried tSteve Pden, nd tree cildren ndne rndcild. De ririly rk in

terclr, ut deined, nd een rt te intinte n tree url rject t Sutd. Se i dcentt te Seldn Mueu Art, nd i eer te

Seldn Brd Trutee.

About the Author:

Micelle DeRu, utr ti Lentendevtinl klet, een eer Sutd Lutern r ten yer. Atrnlnt t Nerk r Mcuett,Micelle i rried t Brd Jnn nd i

t t eneretic y, N nd Rn. Se rite

ntly clun r teLincoln Journal Star, ell erl, Graceful(mhsha.om). Se l rkrt-tie r Nerk ulic televiin nd rdi.

Bible verses come rom the New Living Translation 1996, 2004, 2007by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

reentent, uilt, itterne, inrtitude r n inility trive tt i ervin rdlck in yur reltiniit Gd.

Or ye it trut iue. Hve yu ened yur ert ullyt Hi? Hve yu ctully lled Hi t rk in yur lie,r re yu ldin Hi t ditnce, unillin t let Hi

led te y?

S ny vrile ve te tentil t inuence ur ilityt cnnect it Gd. We need t e re t ite curin ur ility t ee nd er Gde need tk urelve tee rd quetin nd ty n urd inttee erul inuence.

Gd ke Hiel ville t yu ly. He i rit eretndin in rnt yu, cllin yur ne. It yur j t

cler te y r Hi t ine Hi lve nd lit directly intyur lie.

Lord, You come to me today on Easter Sunday and every day.Yet like Mary, I dont always see You, even when You are soobviously present. Help me see clearly the impediments thatblock my ability to connect with You. Help me make a straight

path to You. Amen.

Dont cling to me, Jesussaid, or I havent yet

ascended to the Father. Butgo and fnd my brothers andtell them, I am ascending to

my Father and your Father,to my God and your God.

Mary Magdalene ound thedisciples and told them, Ihave seen the Lord! Then

she gave them his message.

John 20:11-18


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