Easter Sunday – Poetry
Reading – Psalms 43-45
Highlight Verse:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalms 43:5 NIV
Our hope was fulfilled in the events that led up to that first Easter. Now that Easter ushers in the Gospel.
The first Easter brought such joy and hope with it his disciples rejoiced..
So, like his disciples, let us put our hope in the resurrected Son of God and praise Him.
Saturday – Open Topic
Reading – Matthew 28:1-10
Highlight Verse:
“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.”
Matthew 28:1 NLT
I sometimes imagine what it would be like to be one of the women who first found the empty tomb. My imagination goes something like this:
The beautiful sunrise hit their eyes like a rude party crasher at a wake.
The unlikely pair of women were as different as night and day, but they were drawn together by a common bond. They both loved the man they thought was the Messiah.
Now they trudged through the dawn to complete their task of preparing his body for permanent burial.
On the way to the tomb, they felt like God was adding to their misery by bringing an major earthquake at the worst possible time. The shaking was frightening and brought new worries but they would not be dissuaded from their duty.
Upon arriving at the tomb, they found it open and a man was sitting on the stone. The radiance that came from the man, actually and angel, was nearly lost on the mourning women until he spoke, “He is risen!”
Confusion mixed with joyful hope overcame the women as they ran back to the upper room.
That hope became pure joy when Jesus appeared before them – very much alive!
Tomorrow we celebrate that joyful day when mourning was turned to joy.
Can you imagine the range of emotions those two women felt that first Easter morning?
Will you share that amazing joy of Easter with someone this weekend?
Friday – Prophets
Reading – Isaiah 40-42
Highlight Verse:
“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”
Isaiah 40:28 NLT
It was the pleading tone at the start of this verse that caught my attention.
When trying to get someone I love to understand the beauty of the Gospel, and the words fall short. My heart breaks at the twisted logic that keeps people from understanding the truth of God’s existence and His grace.
I was reminded today of the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Always preach the Gospel. If you have to, use words.”
It was the words backed by actions of the people at camp that brought me understanding of the Gospel at age 13.
What was it for you that helped you understand the Gospel?
Do your actions support your words?
Thursday – Letters
Reading – Romans 14
Highlight Verse:
“Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.”
Romans 14:20 NLT
I like the wording in this verse. To “tear apart” is more intentional than “destroy” in other versions.
Whichever version it is, this chapter addresses the idea of eating meat that was sacrificed to pagan gods. Paul is basically saying, it’s okay to eat that meat if you aren’t worshipping the idols, but if some see you eat that meat, they may think it’s okay to worship the idols.
Not really a problem today.
Recovering alcoholics may see you drink and stumble back into drinking.
Someone who struggles with lust may see you watch certain movies and stumble back into lust.
We all have our weaknesses. This chapter points out that we should not judge others for their weaknesses. Instead, we should be careful not to do things that could cause them confusion or moral difficulty.
Are there things that you struggle with that others seem to have freedom to do?
What thoughts do you have about how your behavior affects others?
Wednesday – History
Reading – Judges 10-11
Highlight Verses:
“After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. He was from the tribe of Issachar but lived in the town of Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. He judged Israel for twenty-three years. When he died, he was buried in Shamir.”
Judges 10:1-2 NLT
My childish eyes stopped on the name Dodo. Despite his grandfather’s humorous name, there’s not much information about Tola’s time as judge of Israel.
He rescued Israel.
He judged (led) Israel for 23 years.
His role as rescuer and judge may not have much significance to us today, but he was very significant to those he rescued.
I’ve often said that David is my favorite Old Testament character, but maybe Tola should be. Apparently, he didn’t aim to leave a legacy as a hero acclaimed down through history.
But he rescued and he led.
Are you seeking to make a name for yourself or to rescue those in need?
What would you want your short paragraph in history to read?
Tuesday – Pentateuch
Reading – Genesis 22-23
Highlight Verse:
“And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.”
Genesis 22:10 NLT
Ummmm, okay. I would not get even close to that far.
But Abraham had complete trust in God. I believe Abraham thought God would revive Isaac if he had brought the knife down.
Would I have had that level of trust?
I don’t believe that God would make that kind of request today.
If someone tried to tell me that’s what God wanted, I would call the cops on them.
Sometimes it’s way out of the zone.
One example:
Tiffany has a beautiful voice. She often led worship and worked as missions director at a church in Thornton. Life for her in Colorado was good.
Then, God called her to a radical change. She now lives in San Pedro Sula, Honduras where she founded Via Love International, an outreach program to the youth and families of Honduras and the surrounding countries.
Has God called you to any radical change or action?
While you wait for that call, have you considered supporting someone who is living that call?
Monday – Gospels
Reading – John 15
Highlight Verse:
“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
John 15:2 NLT
When I was 40, I was 50 pounds overweight. I had to break up with my two best friends – Dr. Pepper and Little Debbie. It wasn’t easy. If you’ve seen me recently, you know I’m still not at my ideal weight. But I’m a lot closer than I was then. I’m not getting tons of cavities anymore either.
And that was a relatively easy pruning.
There have been more painful things that have been chopped off my life over the years. Stuff that has dragged me down and kept me from being who I can be.
I’m sure there will be more to come.
Some things God has had to to prune for me.
Others, I have laid down willingly.
Slowly over the years, I’ve seen the spiritual fruit improve. Some years have been more fruitful than others. Some fruit I’ve never seen but I know it’s out there.
The secret is being willing to be pruned.
Are you willing to let the Master Gardener prune your life?
Are there things you need to ask Him to prune today?
Sunday – Poetry
Reading – Psalms 40-42
Highlight Verse:
“O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”
Psalms 40:5 NLT
This is the second to last Psalm in Book 1 of Psalms. Even after all these psalms, David does not run out of things to say about God.
I’ve read through the Bible many times. Nearly every day I notice something I missed before. And that’s just what’s written down.
From the mighty mountains to the intricate DNA of an ant, God’s handiwork is masterful.
My dad used to be an atheist. He told me later in his life that studying some of the intricate details of nature finally convinced him that there was a creator behind creation. There was no other possibility.
The only way to come to the conclusion that there is no God is by refusing to concede the possibility of God when studying the world around us.
What work of God amazes you the most?
What do you look at and revel in its beauty?
Saturday – Open Topic
Reading –
“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.”
2 Corinthians 5:13 NLT
It was perfect to share my favorite verse of the Bible.
I first heard this verse when I was invited to join a loose group of friends in college known as the MFC – Maniacs For Christ. I thought, that’s perfect for me.
When I go to a baseball game, I’ll shout out loud when the Rockies hit a home run. How can I do any less when Jesus wins another lost soul?
I wrote a little more in-depth about this in my blog post today. If you’d like to read it (and follow my shameless self promotion) go for it.
Until then, do you mind seaming to be a bit crazy when it comes to Jesus?
How do you allow your joy to overflow?
Friday – Prophets
Reading – Isaiah 37-39
Highlight Verse:
““Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life,”
Isaiah 38:5 NLT
Hezekiah was one of the best kings of Israel. He followed God. Still, he got sick and Isaiah told him that he wouldn’t survive.
He was.
And he won that battle.
God healed him and extended his life.
We do not change God by our prayers. But, sometimes, we incline Him to act within His character in ways that He might not have if we hadn’t prayed.
I’ve seen people healed, needs provided, lives redeemed all because people prayed.
Hezekiah inspires me all the more to pray for what seems impossible that God might intervene.
Have you seen tangible results from your prayers? If so, share them.
Can you find it in you to bring renewed faith to your prayers?
Walk in the Light 