Day 24: Authentic Community Wednesday Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ~John 15:4-5 Two profound truths emerge through Jesus’ imagery of the vine and the branches. The first is our grafting into the life of Jesus. The second is our grafting into the lives...
Day 23: Rule of Scripture Tuesday This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. ~Joshua 1:8 Many of us have memorized hundreds of lines from songs, TV shows, and movies. Random events in our lives inevitably trigger some quote or jingle. God intends that his Word be in our minds and on our tongues in that same way. The more we know the Word, the more we see the...
Day 22: Gospel-centeredness Monday For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. ~1 Peter 1:3 Christ’s resurrection is the source of our hope. Because Jesus is alive, having conquered sin and death, we are able to rejoice...
Day 21: Worship Sunday Theme of Praise: God is unconditionally loving and undeservedly kind; therefore, we strive to be a culture of patience, forgiveness, generosity, compassion, and enthusiastic welcome. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:8 Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. Read over these verses a few times. Meditate on the words. Now, in your own words, what are the writers saying? Use these verses as a framework for offering a prayer of thanksgiving to God, focusing on...
Easter Sunday – Order of Service + Notes
Day 20: Love for the City Saturday Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” ~Luke 15:1-2 Across cultures, sharing a meal is a sign of acceptance and friendship. As you eat with someone, walls come down and authentic conversation begins to happen. It’s no surprise, then, that Jesus pursued and loved the broken in this way – knowing full well that it would cost him his reputation amongst the religious crowd. Call to Action: Invite a...
Order of Service [click on link]
Day 19: Engagement Friday But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. ~Jeremiah 29:7 Our responsibility is not simply to engage with our community on behalf of God. We are also to engage with God on behalf of our community. We must go beyond the small-mindedness of self-centered requests. Eyeing the advance of God’s kingdom, we must tune in to the concerns of our community and be diligent in presenting these needs to God. His...
Day 18: Continuing Transformation Thursday Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:11-13 Paul wrote these words from a jail cell. Yet he was content because he chose to find his contentment in Christ: rejoicing in His character, hoping in the promise...
Day 17: Authentic Community Wednesday And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ~Acts 15:36 Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the early church leaders refer to Christians as brothers and sisters. Becoming children of God doesn’t just change our relationship with God; it changes our relationship with each other. A church gathering should feel more like a big Thanksgiving dinner than a meeting of a club or voluntary organization. ...