LENT DEVOTIONALE M M A N U E L

Twenty-Sixteen

Lead Pastors Nate + Jodi Ruch

Friends,

I’m so happy to introduce our second Lent Devotional.

Many of you are familiar with Lent and have a history of following a

devotional path of preparation for Easter. Others may be completely

new to the idea. I’m convinced our faith can be strengthened and

encouraged by developing natural rhythms throughout the year

that focus our attention on a particular theme or event at the center

of the Christian story. Advent, or the Christmas season, is one such

rhythm we share. Lent is another.

Lent traditionally begins with Ash Wednesday (February 10 this year)

and ends with Good Friday. It’s a time of personal and church-wide

reflection that involves repentance, confession, fasting, and

generally reminding ourselves that we are created and dependent

upon God’s goodness and grace for all things. It’s a great way to

recalibrate our sense of identity and destiny, disconnecting from the

pull and persuasion of the world around us. Lent ends as we step

into celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. I’m so looking forward to

celebrating with you this year!

My thanks for staff and others for this Lent Devotional. I’ve asked

then to prepare short devotional thoughts of their own to guide your

own personal time during these weeks. I hope you take advantage

of these days. I’m praying that God will challenge and bless us all as

we together search our hearts and welcome the powerful presence

of God into our lives each day.

Yours,

Psalm 1 : Tom BeltMonday, February 15

There’s nothing like a good contrast. Bring two very different things into view and take a

hard look. That’s what we have here. Notice the stark differences here. The righteous are like trees

planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, free from decay, healthy, strong, and alive.

The wicked are everything else— windblown chaff, a bit of tumbleweed, headed nowhere and

ending their journey in destruction.

I find a couple things interesting. The righteous are righteous because of the sort of relationship

they have to God, not because of a list of good things they do that make them righteous. In fact,

there’s no list here at all, no description of particularly righteous behaviors. God is the difference

between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are only what they are because (v. 2) they

give themselves to “meditate” and “delight” in God’s Word. They contemplate themselves and

their lives in light of the truth God speaks. When we do that our lives are “planted” and we find our

proper place in the scheme of things. It is this that roots us in the soil of God’s goodness, turning

life into a healthy, fruitful harmony of relations that will never decay (v. 3). And if they never decay,

they never end.

We want to be planted, alive, fruitful and never-ending. I think God put that longing in us. Only he

can fulfill it. So today, let’s let that longing rise in our hearts. Let’s let it lead us to turn to meditate on

God’s words of truth.

Prayer

Lord, I turn today to meditate upon Your words.

Speak life to my hungry soul. Plant me by streams of water.

Psalm 5:1-8 | JonCarlos VelezTuesday, February 16

As shown in Scripture, David was a man after God’s heart. His relentless pursuit of

seeking a deeper and wholehearted relationship with God sets a great model for us as

Christ-followers, and Psalm 5:1-8 gives us a prime example of that. As found here, David would

start each day by praying and crying out to God. He realized the importance of going to God

before going to other things in life that have the potential of taking precedence over God.

Wholehearted devotion isn’t just adding your God time to your to do list, it’s centering your life

in His presence and allowing God to do great things in and through you.

Lord, I want to be a person after Your heart. I want Your best for my life, so I come to You in

complete surrender. I don’t want to just add You to my to do list, but I want to do all that I do

in Your presence, being led by You. May Your will be done in my life.

Prayer

One of the things that sticks out to me the most is how David would bring his

request to God and how he would “wait expectantly.” I encourage you friends, start each day

off by going after God in prayer, seek Him, cry out to Him and give Him the praise He deserves.

Place Jesus at the center of your life! Ask God to give you clarity for the right path to take in life

and I believe that you will begin to see great things take place in and through you.

I challenge you to start writing your prayers and keeping a prayer journal. Take the time each

morning and spend it with Jesus. Talk to Him and tell Him what’s on your heart. Let Him speak

to you through prayer and meditating on His Word. Write it down so that you won’t forget it and

“wait expectantly” for God to lead you down the right path. Then make it a point to look back at

those prayers you wrote down and I believe you will begin to see and notice the hand of God

working in and through your life.

Psalm 6 | Lori DykstraWednesday, February 17

Observing Lent is a new tradition for me, thus, I took a few minutes to research the history

and meaning of Lent. I discovered that it was patterned after the 40 days that Jesus was tempted

in the wilderness, and that it is to be a time when we refocus our minds and hearts upon Jesus to

grow closer to Him. Traditionally people set aside things that could be a distraction so that they

could focus upon God’s Word, take time to pray, and practice living differently.

In Psalm 6 we find David in a state of humble surrender to God crying out for healing and

deliverance from distress. Theologians believe that David was ill and that the resulting pain

reminded him of his sin and need for cleansing. David’s example of sincere repentance is

challenging. How often have you or I spent all night groaning and weeping over our sin?

The Psalm ends with a surprisingly different theme altogether. In the last three verses David

emphatically declares God’s faithfulness. He sees our weeping, He hears our cries, and He hears

our prayers. Throughout the Bible and in this declaration we see this truth at work: if you ask, you

will receive; if you seek, you will find; and if you knock, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life for me. Thank You for suffering in my place

and for offering me forgiveness. Please help me identify the things in my life that are

distractions and give me the courage to lay them aside so that I can spend time with You.

Thank You for hearing my prayers and for answering them.

Psalm 13 | David NithangThursday, February 18

Being forgotten can be one of the most painful experiences we face. It has the capacity

to leave us with feelings of rejection, abandonment, fear, or even anger towards the man, woman,

friend, foe, coworker,boss, or even God! But it is the truth we know and understand that will set us

free. That truth is that God will never leave us or forsake us. He never has and He doesn’t plan on

starting any time soon.

God also asks us to cast all our cares on him. Why? Because He desires that we trust in His strong

right hand and in His ability to fight on our behalf. The psalmist teaches three key steps or

disciplines we need when faced with adversity from people who are against you: (1) Be real and

transparent with God when sharing your concerns; (2) Turn to Him and submit your request with

full confidence in His ability (right after your pity party); and (3) Praise Him in advance for what He is

about to do on your behalf.

We serve a God who deeply cares about all our concerns. We are never forgotten by Him, so let’s

not forget to turn to Him in full confidence. He is able to do more than we could ask or think!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I submit to You this day, all my cares and concerns. I turn to You, trusting

in your ability, not my own. I praise You and worship You right now because You are already

moving on my behalf.

Psalm 14 | Mark Alan SchoolmeestersFriday, February 19

In our world today, there are a lot of people with a lot of things to say. There is no shortage

of opinion and conjecture filling the status feeds every second of every day. But how much of that

is wisdom and how much of it is noise?

I find it so interesting that Psalm 14:2 speaks of being truly wise not as having an answer for

everything or always having something to say. Instead, it speaks of being truly wise as being “one

who seeks God.” The reality is we will either be consumed by the foolishness of this world or we

will be filled with the wisdom of Heaven. The choice is up to us.

So the question today is where are you seeking wisdom? Whose voice are you listening to the

most?

Prayer

Lord, help me pause today and quiet all the voices except Yours. May I tune my ear to hear

Your wisdom that it would fuel me to live a life filled with wisdom rather than with noise.

Psalm 18 | Aaron GruberSaturday, February 20

Psalm 18 is a reflection of David’s life, a life marked by danger and struggles as well as

God’s favor and salvation. God did amazing things through David and handpicked him to be the

king of Israel after Saul, but... David’s life wasn’t easy. Throughout his life he struggled with sin, just

as we do, with enemies and people, who didn’t want him to succeed. This Psalm starts with praise

and recognition of God’s saving power and then goes on to describe David’s view of his fight

against his enemies and how God came to his rescue. As David describes it, he “cried out to the

Lord,” and God heard his cry, opened the heavens, and came down to rescue him.

Maybe you’ve been in a similar place in your life. Maybe you’ve felt like the whole world is against

you and there is nowhere else to run, no one else to turn to. Perhaps you’ve sinned and it feels

like your world is crumbling because of the choices you’ve made. Your enemies may not be flesh

and blood, but they are as real as anything else. Don’t give up! It’s not over yet!

God rescued David, not because of David’s accomplishments or position, but because of God’s

love. God will rescue you too. As David declared it, “You rescue the humble, but You humiliate the

proud.”

Just as David described God reaching down from heaven to rescue him, remember God came

out of heaven to rescue you! You are that valuable to God. And His rescue isn’t just a one-time or

temporary thing. He continues to rescue you today. Humble yourself before God, cry out to Him,

and He will show Himself faithful.

Prayer

God, You see the struggles I face every day, and You know the enemies I contend with.

Thank You for hearing my cry and loving me. Please rescue me.

Psalm 19 | Terrence TalleySunday, February 21

Who doesn’t like having money? There’s a sense of

accomplishment and security in having it. There’s a sense of defeat and

panic in not having it. As I grew up, my parents would always remind me

of how broke we were.

“Can I buy a Nintendo game?” Answer: “We ain’t got money for

that Terrence! Borrow one from your friend.”

“Can I have some McDonalds?” Answer: “We can’t afford

McDonalds! Besides I can make you sandwich just as good.”

“Mom, I have a dream to be somebody important one day!”

Answer: “Sounds expensive! Don’t dream!”

No matter the situation, my parents would remind me of our lack of money

and the need for more. So when I became old enough to make my own

money I was always scared that I would lose it. I continued the idea in my

head that I never had enough. I pushed myself to always make more.

Everything became about how much money I could make. Well, being

called into the ministry put me in a paradox. I preached about how mon-

ey wasn’t our master but I continued to worry about it. I thought if people

couldn’t see what my worries were everything would be okay. One day

we didn’t have enough money to pay a medical bill. I fell apart! I was

depressed. I prayed more about paying it than I prayed about my spiritual

life. Then God spoke to me and said, “I am worth more than the bill you

have yet to pay.”

You can find a free Bible in every hotel room in the country. You can even find a pretty nice one in

the church’s lost & found. In Psalm 19:10, the Bible says the Lord’s words are more precious than

pure gold. They’re sweeter than honey from the comb. If my parents would’ve planted that in my

mind when I was younger instead of the worry over money, would I have worried later in life? If I

would’ve known from an earlier age how sweet the Lord’s words are, how much healthier would I

have been as I grew into adulthood? We might not be able to travel back in time, but we can

definitely change course today. Next time we see that bill and are tempted to feel sad, we’ll focus

on the promise of God. Know that when we obey God’s will He gives us wisdom. Remember when

you fear God more than what you don’t have, God gives joy to your heart. Love God’s word more

than your need for money.

Prayer

Father, grow me. Deepen my trust in You. I surrender my everyday life and all my

practical concerns to You. You are my everything!

Psalm 22 | Phil JohnsonMonday, February 22

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to look up and ask God,

‘Why’? The car won’t start, the furnace goes out, an unexpected bill arrives. Whatever it is, we all

have those moments that bring us to this place of holy confusion. We see this in Psalm 22

particularly in the opening verse: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so

far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” These words might sound familiar.

Jesus quoted these words as He hung on that old wooden Cross. Jesus voiced this desperate cry

as the weight of abandonment was hitting Him in a way we can’t comprehend. Jesus, the Son of

God, had to wrestle with this overwhelming sense of separation from our heavenly Father whose

presence is everywhere. We see though that in these final moments God’s protective and

redemptive power was at work. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

We may not understand God’s timing or reasoning for allowing us to go through certain seasons

but what we see throughout the Bible is that faith cannot grow only in a climate of comfort. As the

great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the

whole staircase.” It’s okay to make your requests and questions known to God but do not allow the

stress and worry of the situation keep you from moving forward. It might be uncomfortable for a

season, but just know that the One who has gone before has already bore it all for you. I leave you

with two questions: In what ways do you feel God is stretching your faith this week? And then what

can you do to take a step out of your comfort zone this week?

Prayer

God, I pray that You would continue to call us out of our boats of comfort this week as we

continue to discover the power that faith in You looks like. I pray that the life we live will

reflect the price that You paid on that wooden Cross.

“Faith is taking the first step even when youdon’t see the whole staircase.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Psalm 23 | David BeltTuesday, February 23

A couple of years ago I was in the Middle East to tour the beautiful country of Israel.

This particular psalm came to life for me. I saw a shepherd leading his flock, calling out to his

sheep with his voice that his sheep recognized and followed. The sheep were completely

dependent on the shepherd for everything, their direction and guidance, their shelter, and their

food and water.

I learned that sheep would not lie down if they’re hungry and will not drink from fast flowing

streams. Sometimes the shepherd will build a small dam to slow the flow of the stream, allowing his

sheep to drink. Psalm 23 is a picture of the shepherd’s sheep being fully satisfied and taken care

of.

How has Jesus satisfied you? How has He taken care of you? Take a brief moment to list some of

the things the Shepherd has done in your life to show His love for you.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being such a good shepherd. I depend on You completely. Lead me,

guide me, shepherd me. I will hear and recognize Your voice and follow You all the days

of my life. You laid Your life down for me, one of Your sheep, as the sacrificial lamb to take

away my sin. I’m filled with thankfulness and love for You, Jesus.

Psalm 25 | Dan WendtWednesday, February 24

Have you ever read a Psalm out loud? Let me encourage you to read Psalm 25 again, but

first spend a few unrushed moments examining your heart before God. When you’re ready, read

it again out loud. Don’t just read it like an assignment. Say it like you really mean it! Then, continue

reading here for some closing thoughts.

No really, do it. Yes, I’m serious.

Well done! Did Psalm 25 seem different this time? How often does God hear declarations like

these come from our lips? Or from our hearts? No condemnation here, just an honest question.

I’ve noticed that I can sometimes come to God’s Word with a desire to study it but miss my

opportunity to connect with it. So it was the first few times I read through Psalm 25. I found myself

lost in thinking about what David had experienced before writing out this prayer, analyzing the

structure of David’s writing, contemplating David’s poor choices that caused him such guilt. I felt

like an observer of someone else’s life, as though I’d read a page from King David’s diary.

Then I read it out loud. It wasn’t just David’s prayer anymore. It became my prayer. Sometimes I

think God must get bored with “knowing our hearts” and just wants to hear our voices. He can

peek into our hearts any time He wants. That’s nothing special. But He only hears our voices when

we offer them to Him. That’s irreplaceable.

If ever you need a way to be reminded that God’s Word is alive and active, try reading it out loud.

Listen to your own voice reading the living word. Share it out loud with others. It brings life to them

when they hear it. Don’t like the way it sounds out loud? Read from a different translation, one that

sounds the way you sound when you talk. (Here’s a hint: you probably don’t speak NKJV!)

Try reading God’s Word out loud as an opening to your own prayer to Him. The best way to bring

life to the words in the Bible is to proclaim them with the force of your own breath. It’s the breath

God gave you, returning it to Him with gratitude is the least you can do.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for the truth found in David’s words. I pray that I would know You as he

did. Let it begin with a new practice of lifting my voice to You. Then, let me be silent long

enough to hear Your voice in return.

Psalm 27 | David BeltThursday, February 25

Our life is full of ups and downs. One day we’re full of thankfulness and joy, the next we’re

hurting, frustrated, and worn out. If that’s you today, King David knows how you feel!

This psalm is separated into two different sections: the ups and the downs. Verses 1-6 are the ups.

David can remember the great things God has done, he’s not afraid. He’s full of praise. Verses 7-14

describe his downs, a desperate cry for God to show Himself and to not abandon him. Ups and

downs.

Where are you right now? Are you living in the first or second half of this psalm? When times are

up, have a song in your heart and sing loving praise to God (v.6). Hold your head up high and put

your delight in Him! When times are down, wait patiently on the Lord (v.14). He will make you brave,

courageous, and more mature. Be confident that you will see the Lord’s goodness.

Prayer

Father, I never want to miss an opportunity to praise You when my life is full of blessing. I

also never want to miss an opportunity to wait patiently and be hopeful when my life is full

of difficulty. You are the God who is intricately involved in my ups and my downs. Thank

you, Lord.

Psalm 39 | Allison AyotteFriday, February 26

What is the meaning to life? What am I here for? What is my purpose in this so-called

adventure that we call life? Questions like these have plagued the human race for thousands of

years. Aristotle claimed, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end

of human existence.” Leo Tolstoy said, “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” And even

Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his thoughts, “For me life is continuously being hungry. The

meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to

conquer.” People across time and space have been searching, hoping to find some semblance of

meaning for their existence. And even as Christians, we sometimes fail to recognize God’s plan for

our lives.

In Psalm 39, David writes during a time when he could not understand God’s work in his life.

His life was full of trouble. The wicked prevailed, the righteous suffered, and David was struggling

to see the bigger picture. He is then reminded that our present circumstances are merely tem-

porary and all the busyness of life is vain. Compared to an eternal God, our days are but a hand-

breadth. James even talks about this in the New Testament when He says that our lives are “but

a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” And through it all, David chooses to

put his hope in the Lord.

When trying to understand the meaning of life, we have to first answer this question: Am I willing to

trust God and continue to live for Him even when I am faced with the unbearable? Will I trust Him

when all hope seems lost? If we embrace that trust, as Paul promises in Romans 8, “our present

suffering is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.” Pain, failure, disappointment,

and suffering are part of life, but instead of giving up when things get tough, look to the One who

is always faithful. Surely every man is vapor, but eternity lasts forever. So don’t waste it.

Prayer

Jesus, help me to live with eternity in mind. I realize that my life is but a vapor and it is up

to me to make the most of it. Help me to trust You during the hard times.Help me know that

You are always steadfast and Your promises never return void.

JESUS help me to live

with ETERNITY in mind.

Psalm 46 | Tom BeltSaturday, February 27

Absolutely one of my favorite Psalms. Imagine the worst possible things happening.

For most of us that shouldn’t be difficult. Most everybody has some measure of pain and loss they

can blow up to colossal proportions. That’s what this Psalm does (v 2-3, 6). Then it invites us to

compare our worst imaginable nightmares to God (as we think of him) to see what happens.

Can we find God in the nightmare?

The ancient Near East (Israel and her neighbors) had a shared language about the powers of good

and evil, a kind of standard poetic terminology. And the “sea” was part of this repertoire of terms.

The “sea” here isn’t the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the surging force of evil and chaos. The “roaring

and foaming waters” describe not an actual tsunami offshore. They describe the powers of evil that

pervade the cosmos. In v. 6 that evil is viewed in terms of civil and political powers. But the point is

the same. Evil rushes in and carries off everything in sight, including the high mountains (i.e., all the

worldly goods we depend upon, all we take refuge in, our achievements and accomplishments).

The psalmist is describing absolute, apocalyptic destruction—the end of the world. Everything in

sight, including the ground under your feet, the comfort and assurances of civil society, the

institutional supports you depend upon, your home, your job, your SUV, your kids’ school, your

season tickets your cabin up north, every penny in your bank account—all of it swept off into the

churning foam of chaotic nothingness.

Feel better? The psalmist felt better, or at least he didn’t feel any loss of true joy, because in all

this chaos he sees (v. 4-5) something not swallowed by the chaos. He sees “a river whose streams

make glad the city of God.” A river? In this sea of evil and chaos? And its “streams make glad”?

You mean that in all this loss I can be “made glad”? Yes. The storms and chaos cannot define God.

And God defines us. How do I find this river? Verse 10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Take time,

regularly and intentionally, to quiet the noise and listen for God’s voice.

Prayer

Father, help me transform my hope and dependency from the comforts and

accomplishments of worldly things that could disappear today or tomorrow to You.

Teach me to quiet my soul, to open myself to You, so I can find the river whose waters

make me truly glad in You.

Psalm 51:1-17 | Adrian FalgetelliSunday, February 28

What a powerful Psalm! I love when God’s Word brings conviction and repentance to me.

That’s what can happen to us. If we humble ourselves and come to God with repentant and sincere

hearts, we can also enjoy the confidence and healing that this Psalm describes. We constantly

need God’s help to know how we’re living, and we need assurance of His unfailing love.

As we approach Easter, it’s vital to examine ourselves and remember what Jesus has

accomplished on the Cross for us. Our hearts need to be tested and examined routinely. In my

experience, I know I have to make time to kneel in God’s presence and bring my whole heart to

Him, paying attention to His voice and seeking forgiveness and clear direction for my life.

Today is an appropriate time to come near the Lord and ask Him to cleanse our lives and refresh

our hearts, committing ourselves to live according to His perfect will. Recognize His sacrifice for

you, and give yourself to living in His purposes for you. We need to seek a clean and pure heart

and a renewed spirit. Today is a perfect time to do just that.

Prayer

Lord, help me today to draw near Your Cross and remember that Your love is priceless.

Your love for me led You to the Cross. Thank You. Cleanse me, give me a pure heart, and

lead me in everlasting ways.

“Cleanse me, give me a pure heart, andlead me in everlasting ways.”

Psalm 61 | Mark Alan SchoolmeestersMonday, February 29

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to a rock that is higher than I.

Over the last few years I’ve seen many people close to me go through countless overwhelming

trials. Diagnosis of cancer in a close friend, an unexpected miscarriage in our extended family, loss

and change of job for one friend, and the diagnosis of MS in another. Each and every one of these

people has found themselves at a crossroads, one that we all face at multiple times in our lives.

What are we to do with the uncertainty that we face?

We are reminded in Psalm 61 that our response shouldn’t be to raise the white flag of defeat but

instead to embrace a perspective that clings wholeheartedly to the promises of God. In times of

trial we have a choice – will we choose to fix our eyes on Jesus or on our circumstances?

Though we may not always understand, we can confidently assert, as Psalm 61 goes on to assert in

the rest of verse 2, that God is a safe refuge. Friends, there is hope for us today! Our deliverance is

coming – and it comes when we anchor our feet on the rock that is higher than our circumstance

and higher than our earthly perspective.

Prayer

Lord, lead me today as I choose to anchor my feet to the rock rather than to be

overwhelmed. Meet me in my present circumstance and keep my eyes fixed on You Jesus.

I remember today that my deliverance is coming and I wait patiently for Your help.

Psalm 62 | Phil JohnsonTuesday, March 1

Have you ever found yourself in a jam? A situation that you just couldn’t seem to see a way

out of? I can remember as a student finding myself in many of those situations, but I always knew

that I had an advocate in my parents. It’s nice knowing you have someone in your corner, an

advocate for you in times when you need it most. This is what we find in Psalm 62: “Truly my soul

finds rest in God. My salvation comes from him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation. He is my

fortress, I will never be shaken.”

As believers, we should be able to say I will not allow my present trials or troubles to shake my

confidence in an unshakable God. In times of worry, I will cling to Him. A wise professor of mine

would constantly remind us, “People will fail you, but God will never fail you.” This Psalm serves as

a reminder that it is God, not things or people, in whom our faith is rooted. If you give a person the

extra burden of having to carry your hopes and dreams, you are bound to be disappointed.

People were never meant to carry that weight. An unshakable hope can only be found in the

unshakable God, not in temporary people.

Prayer

God, may we continue to turn to You, our rock and fortress rather than to the temporary

things of this world. May we continue to build on the promises of Your Word this week.

Psalm 84 | Adrian FalgetelliWednesday, March 2

There is nothing more beautiful than being in God’s presence, in His Sanctuary,

experiencing the power of His Spirit. That’s the place where we find our true home, prostrate

before Him, worshiping him withour whole heart. We’re approaching a time when Christians have

stopped considering history’s central event: the Cross. In Christ, the Cross becomes an instrument

of life, not a curse, where Jesus’ blood was shed on the Cross out of love for humanity.

I remember when I first came to Christ. I was weighed down with a history of horrible experiences.

His sweet love came into my heart and a new song was birthed in my life. That heavy load

disappeared. My problems didn’t all disappear, but hope filled my heart and the worries and

concerns for the future were lifted off my shoulders. God’s power taught me to conquer all sorts

of problems that previously bound me. The chains fell that day and I was completely free. I was

home! The journey was, as this psalm described, a “weeping valley.” But I found rest in God’s

presence as a place of refreshing springs of water.

After so many years, the story remains the same. God’s power has not weakened. Anyone who

comes to Him can experience a supernatural touch. Today, let’s raise our hands to Heaven and

thank God for His Son Jesus, and His sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus promised to come back for His

Church, for all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We must nourish ourselves with hHis

words and promises and continue to seek His presence.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the wealth found in Your words. Thank You for the experiences of

others who have left us the stories of their struggles and victories. Today I humble myself

inYour presence and recall these testimonies and Your promises. Be by my side today.

Psalm 90 | JonCarlos VelezThursday, March 3

Sometimes we need to be reminded of who God is. I know I’ve been there before. I can

remember times in my life when I would go about my own way, rebelling against God and His will

for my life and going down a path of sin that would only lead to death. I’m sure most of us have

lived through times when our unbelief led to doubting God and doubt led to rebellion—much like

the Israelites after escaping slavery in Egypt. Psalm 90 is a prayer penned by Moses around the

time when God sentences them to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, not allowing them

to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 14:1-45) Moses most likely wrote this prayer to be prayed

by everyone in order to teach them again how to pray to God and to remind them all of who God

really is.

Each verse in this chapter serves either as a reminder or a request that we pray just as the

Israelites did after they rebelled against God. God has and will always be faithful to us. His grace is

sufficient for us and His mercies are new every morning. He is our safe refuge and our rock to hold

on to. His love towards us never changes, even when ours does. And we can rest assured that He

will always forgive our rebellion. Though our sinful nature may fail Him, He will never fail us!

So be encouraged today as you read this knowing that God’s eternity is greater than the lives we

live here on this earth. His love is eternal friends! It’s never too late to turn from our sinful and

wicked ways and turn to Jesus who paid the price for our sins on the cross. Also, keep praying for

others around you who may be away from God. I pray that they would allow God’s great love to

grab ahold of them. Let God satisfy you with His unfailing love each day so that you may sing

praises to Him for the joy we receive in Him.

Prayer

Lord, I pray that I may be constantly reminded of who You really are. Thank You for Your

unfailing love that satisfies me daily. I love You, Lord!

Psalm 119:9-16 | David NithangFriday, March 4

Have you ever had a special person in your life that has stepped onto the other side of

eternity and you wish you could hear their voice again? Maybe you wish you would have somehow

recorded their words of wisdom, comfort, counsel and care? For me, that would have been my

grandma, June. She was a fully devoted woman of God who gave me piggy back rides, walked

me to school, knitted special stockings for me, gave me change to put in my piggy bank and when

needed, spanked my behind. I sure miss hearing her voice. If I could only have her here now to

seek her advice regarding the cares in my life today. Unfortunately that’s impossible. We cannot

bring back those who have gone before us.

This is why God’s written Word is so amazing. His Word is eternal and is also eternally relevant to

every generation. We don’t ever have to wonder if He desires to give us counsel. We don’t ever

have to wonder how He feels about us, if He cares or whether He has provided a way to have an

eternal personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus.

I urge you brothers and sisters to love God’s Word, learn God’s Word, and live God’s Word. Start

today and encourage a friend to join you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Your Word is the

key to experiencing eternal life here on the earth and one day in Heaven. Give me a daily

craving and hunger for it.

Psalm 127 | Lori DykstraSaturday, March 5

Psalm 127 was written by Solomon. Solomon was the King who was entrusted to build the

Temple of God. He had plenty of experience in building things. He not only built the Temple but

was also one of the richest men in the world and amassed a great fortune.

Modern theologians consider this Psalm to have been written for the workaholic. However, I

wonder if it wasn’t a de-brief from Solomon’s experiences. We can make great plans and work on

accomplishing all of them, but if God isn’t a part of the plan or the process, it is all in vain. In Prov-

erbs 16:9 Solomon says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” How often

have you put something together ignoring the directions in the package only to discover you

missed a key step? So you take it all apart and start over.

Psalm 127 is not telling us to stop working, it is encouraging us to stop, pray and ask God to give us

creativity and wisdom. If we do this, we won’t have to stay up later and get up earlier because our

anxiety is driving us, but we can rest confidently as we trust in Jesus to assist us and equip us to

get the job done correctly.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You that You care about every aspect of my life. Please help me to trust

You with everything that I have. Give me wisdom and equip me to do the things You have

placed in my pathway to accomplish. I choose to depend on You.

Matthew 4:1-11 | Becky MeyersonSunday, March 6

A three year old entered the kitchen when his mother was busy elsewhere in the house.

She had told him not to get into the cookies. But in her absence he pulled a kitchen chair over to

the counter and climbed up. Then he took the lid off the cookie jar and had just gotten a cookie

in his mouth when his mother entered the room and demanded to know what he was doing. The

three year old looked at her with big, innocent eyes and said, “I just climbed up here to smell the

cookies, and my tooth got caught on one of them.”

In this passage Jesus is about to start His ministry. He has been baptized, the Spirit has descended

on Him, God the Father has recognized Him as His Son, and now the Spirit has led Him into the

wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus starts this testing season with fasting 40 days, and

now He finds himself very hungry, just like each one of us would be. The hunger Jesus was

experiencing was physical, but hunger can also be emotional and spiritual. When we are hungry,

we are vulnerable and exposed to an attack of the enemy. Being hungry can mean being weak,

tired, sick, frustrated, lonely, or isolated. It can also mean you may have missed church for a few

weeks, or you’ve gone several days without praying or reading your Bible, and you’re

disconnected from God.

Satan most often waits for one of these opportune, “hungry” times to launch one of his fiery darts

at you. (Ephesians 6:11, 16) His goal is to test, try, and devour you. Remember he is the father of lies

and he seeks to destroy your life and get you to doubt the love and care of God the Father. (John

8:44, 10:10) So at the end of dart he places the sin – deception, anger, offense, bitterness, sexual

immorality, etc. Then he sugar-coats the tip with an element of truth so you don’t catch the tactic

right away: “It’s OK to get angry, that person hurt me,” “I deserve this,” “I can take on offense

because that person is wrong,” “why wait until marriage, I really love him,” or perhaps “my needs

and desires should be satisfied.”

The same way Satan attacked Jesus is the same way he attacks us. And the same way Jesus

responded is the same way we should respond. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and answered

Satan with the Word of God. We need to do the same. Every morning ask the Holy Spirit to fill you

with power. Read and memorize Scripture. Deposit the Word of God in your heart. It is your sword

and it silences the deceitful voice of Satan. (Ephesians 5:18, 6:17)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me recognize when I am the most vulnerable to the attack and lies

of the enemy. I know that Satan’s purpose is to capture and control me, and when I follow

him I walk into a trap. So I take the Sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word, into my hand

and I declare Your truth over my life. Your Word promises that when I submit to You and

resist the devil, he will flee. (James 4:7)

Matthew 6:1-21 | Dan WendtMonday, March 7

When I was about seven years old, there was a new kid in our neighborhood who, for

whatever reason, propagated a lie that he was related to a famous racecar driver. For months he

frequently referenced his supposed “step-uncle-in-law” Bill Elliott. He concocted stories of what

Elliott was “really” like and even provided false autographs and pictures from him. His efforts paid

off for a time too, because we looked to him as a sort of guru of all things NASCAR. After all, who

could know more about the sport than the step-nephew-in-law of a famous driver? But it was all a

lie. There was no relationship. All his efforts to deceive became things that would haunt him, for

weeks actually. He was a hypocrite, and our trust in him, in fact our understanding of who he even

was, changed completely.

In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us not to be like the Teachers of the Law and Pharisees He would later

condemn in Matthew 23. In Jesus’ time, these people claimed to know God. They concocted

stories of what God was “really” like, and with great theatrical performance they spoke and

behaved like spiritual superstars in the synagogues and on street corners. But there was no

relationship. Jesus said multiple times in this passage, “do not be like them.” It’s tempting to think

of our “treasures in heaven” as gold or gems or jewels, but look again at the cautions leading up

to verses 19-21. Jesus says over and over that the hypocrites will receive no reward from God, their

only “treasure” is the temporary admiration of those they’ve deceived. Their treasure is on earth.

Don’t be like them.

Although it took a while, the boy in our neighborhood eventually became a trusted friend to us.

He owned up to his lies and built real relationships, instead of relying on one that didn’t actually

exist. Saying you’re related to a famous person is cool, I guess, but only if it’s true. Giving, praying,

and fasting are all rewarding, but only if they come from a genuine desire to know and honor God.

Examine your heart today. Do you take your relationship with God (your treasure in Heaven) as

seriously as the image of your relationship with God (your treasure on earth)?

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for being more concerned about other people’s impression of my relation-

ship with You than my actual relationship with You. Forgive me for going through the

motions and using Your name to make myself look good or spiritual. Those who seek You

will find You, and there is no greater reward. Thank You for Your sacrifice that made a way

for me to have this true, incomparable relationship with You. It’s all about You, Jesus.

John 4:1-26 | Susie LarsonTuesday, March 8

A religious leader invites Jesus to a dinner party. Jesus attends and reclines at the table

with the other guests. Imagine the sudden jolt to the conversation when a woman approaches

Jesus. She wraps her trembling hands around His feet and kisses His toes. Tears pool in her eyes

and spill down her face. She pours her most prized possession,expensive perfume, over His feet.

The dinner host is aghast. Which was worse? Her rude interruption of his dinner party? Or that his

guest, Jesus, didn’t discern that this sinner had just defiled Him?

Humble submission, worshipful gratitude.

Prideful posturing, judgmental assessments.

We see these same attitudes in the church today. Some pride themselves on their critical eye and

their acute assessment of every situation. Status goes to their head. Outsiders are suspect. But

for others, God’s mercy, kindness, and forgiveness only inspire humble gratitude and extravagant

worship.

Jesus defended the sinful woman and confronted the sinful man. Why? Because God will always

draw near to the humble and distance Himself from the proud. The woman’s faith saved her. The

man’s pride blinded him.

Prayer

Lord, I humble myself today. Thank You, from the bottom of my heart for Your kindness.

You’ve forgiven my sin, healed my soul, made me whole. I will worship You all the days of

my life. Help me to see others the way You see them. You are my soul’s greatest treasure.

Romans 3:9-20 | Allison AyotteWednesday, March 9

In reading through Paul’s letter to the Romans (ch. 3), we almost get slapped in the face

with how broken and sinful the human race is. He reminds us that “there is no one righteous, no

not one.” Whether we like to admit it or not, all of us have failed to live up to the standard God

demands. All of us have sinned. All of us have fallen short. And all of us are unworthy to stand in

His presence.

About two years ago, I had the great privilege of being able to travel to Israel with a study group in

college. We toured the entire country, learned all about ancient Jewish culture, and literally walked

where Jesus walked. It was an experience of a lifetime that I’ll never forget. One of the more fasci-

nating things we learned was the process of ritual cleansing. Throughout the trip, we learned that

a person would use a “mikveh” that flowed with living water to cleanse themselves. Only after they

had gone through this process would they be allowed to enter the Temple and stand in the

presence of the Lord. This symbolic act made them righteous and worthy to meet with God.

If we are going to enter into the presence of the almighty Creator of the universe where there is no

darkness at all, we need to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Just like the Jewish people in

ancient times, we need living water to purify our hearts. Christ is that living water. As we head into

this Easter season, we all need to be reminded that without Jesus we are wretched, corrupt, and

selfish people. We need to recognize our need of a Savior. We are lost without Him. The only way

we are made holy and righteous is through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, I ask today that Your living water would flow into my life and cleanse me from all

unrighteousness. I ask that You would make evident to me the areas where I need Your

touch. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | Nathan GramsThursday, March 10

“God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human

wisdom.” From the time we are born, we are driven by the desire to explore and to understand.

It’s almost as if we conquer that which we can comprehend. The desire to know is at the core of

our humanity.

As kids develop they enter a questioning stage. Parents know exactly what this looks like. “But

why?” is quickly posed after every single argument offered by mom or dad. Some kids grow out of

that stage. Most of us don’t. And we shouldn’t. God gladly invites our questions. Often He patiently

and lovingly answers them, and often times He chooses to patiently and lovingly not answer them.

When it comes to the Gospel, the questions of a humble heart can lead us to a personal saving

knowledge of Him. Questions birthed out of pride and a desire to control through knowledge will

never manage to tame our sovereign God. Our hearts must make room for mystery and take steps

of trust. It’s through simple trusting faith that we step into good news, not through human wit and

cleverness. And this is good news. He is accessible to all of humanity, not only the brilliant.

Prayer

Lord, give me a humble heart as I approach You. Help me to listen and trust. Keep me from

pride and arrogance as I come before You. Cultivate faith and trust in me as I marvel at

Your limitless love and mercy. Let Your good news be seen in me and made evident to all

those around me.

Mark 9:33-37 | Bryan TalsoFriday, March 11

Sports fans will know that Muhammad Ali is often referred to as “the Greatest.” Ali used to

“float like a butterfly” and “sting like a bee.” He would dodge a punch while he used a very

unconventional style, with hands held low, as he bobbed and weaved. Ali became the only

person in history to win the heavyweight boxing title three times. Because of his accomplishments,

the world calls him “the Greatest.” And while Ali’s story is inspiring and should stir the emotions of

our heart, what the world calls the greatest and what the Lord calls the greatest are often two very

different things.

In our Scripture reading for today, Jesus becomes aware that some of His disciples are arguing

about which of them was the greatest. Jesus turns their world, and ours,upside down by saying,

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” This is contrary to

everything the world teaches. The world teaches us that to be the greatest we must aim for the

best things, achieve the highest honors, climb the corporate ladder, and have the ideal

relationship. We set our goals, and then we charge after them, tracking our accomplishments and

defining our self-worth by how we stack up against our neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

The disciples had their priorities all turned around. Instead of seeking to know the Lord better and

understand His will for their lives, they became preoccupied with their own ambitious desires to

become the greatest. Jesus completely changes the yardstick! His words can’t be any clearer in

this passage, “if anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” May this

be a reminder for us today that Jesus encourages us to step out of the rat race of life, out of our

selfish ambitions and focus on the simple command God gave us: to do our best to love and serve

one another in His name.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that my eyes will be open to the people around me today. Help me

to be the servant that You have called me to be.

Mark 12:41-44 | Paul KellySaturday, March 12

This wasn’t just a casual observation from Jesus or a passing comment. It is important to

notice He took the time to gather His disciples to teach them a principle of God’s kingdom. We are

called not to give out of our abundance but give all of who we are to God, keeping nothing back.

This may look different to each of us as we all have different areas of our lives we are tempted to

hold back on. We are given many opportunities throughout our lives where we have the ability to

practice this principle.

I was given this opportunity during a transition time between jobs. During this transition, we still felt

strongly we were supposed to continue to tithe even though we did not have an income. We did

not know how the math would work because we still had all the bills we did before but no income.

We knew as we stepped out in obedience to God and gave all we had for that day, God would

provide for the next day. For us, this step of faith in giving all we have to God has always come with

an element of faith and no promise of what is next, but time after time God has provided.

Reflect on what you have to give and ask yourself, “am I giving out of my surplus or am I giving as

the widow gave?” We will not grow in the times where we are not relying on God for all we need.

God desires to bless every area of our lives, so let’s not hold anything back from Him!

Prayer

God, examine me and show me the areas of my life I still need to give over to You. I desire

to be a living sacrifice, giving all of who I am over to You to be used for Your kingdom

purposes.

Luke 7:36-50 | Susie LarsonSunday, March 13

Woman. Samaritan. Immoral.

No respectable Jewish man would publicly associate with someone under one of these

circumstances. None, but Jesus. He spoke to the Samaritan woman with honor and kindness. He

met her in her mess. He didn’t want what other men wanted from her. But He asked for honesty

about her predicament and her need so He could give her life more abundant than she ever

imagined.

The enemy seduces, then accuses. He baits us into busyness and tempts us to hide from uncom-

fortable situations. We learn to make rules around our insecurities. We hem ourselves in by our

fears. We make excuses for our sin. A perfect recipe for soul-captivity.

We can’t heal if we’re determined to hide.

Jesus came to set us free.

May we know the gift God has for us. May we dare to ask Jesus for that life-giving, soul-stirring

power that saves, heals, redeems, and restores. Read the rest of the Samaritan woman’s story.

Almost a whole town is saved because one woman dared to stop hiding, face her fears, and trust

Jesus.

Prayer

Father, I open my hands before You today. Forgive me for my tendency to hide my sin and

manage my insecurities. You are the One my soul longs for and needs. Set me free today

that I may forever walk openly and honestly with You.

Luke 11:1-4 | Stephanie SampleMonday, March 14

Quick, how many times have you said or heard the Lord’s Prayer? If you’re anything like

me, a count would be impossible, no matter how much time you were given. I grew up attending

the Catholic Church, so between mass and rosaries the words of the “Our Father” (as I called it)

were as familiar to me as my own address. I think I actually had the entire mass memorized by 6th

or 7th grade. Still, I would have been hard pressed to explain to anyone what it meant. We’ve said

it in church, at weddings and funerals, at dinner tables and children’s bedsides, but how about

alone? How often have we slowly, reverently prayed the prayer Jesus taught his disciples?

One of the most striking aspects of this simple prayer is just that: its simplicity. Begin by

acknowledging and praising God. Next, ask for today’s needs to be met, today’s sins to be

forgiven, and for protection from today’s temptations. Today’s. Here and elsewhere, Jesus asks

us to commit each day into the Father’s hands. He makes no mention of future goals, nest eggs,

or answers about our ultimate path. Not that it’s wrong to take those concerns to God—He wants

to share all our burdens—but the things that are the most important are the things of today. When

we consider Jesus’ ministry—He knew His days were numbered—it makes perfect sense that He

chose to focus all His attention on the day before Him.

How might this awareness of the Lord’s Prayer reshape your prayer life? How much freedom could

you find in letting go of tomorrow, next summer, and your 10-year plan, and laying just this one day

before your Father? Maybe letting go of your worries is scary. Here’s the good part: you don’t have

to hang them up forever. Just today.

Prayer

Father God, Yours is the name above all names. May it always be so. May Your

kingdom rule here on earth, and may I be provided today with the sustenance, grace and

protection I need to walk with You.

When reading the gospels, it’s not unusual to read about the crowds of people listening

to Jesus. Crowds wanted to hear the good news and witness the miracles Jesus performed. The

people had varying levels of commitment to Christ. Many enjoyed the excitement of being in the

crowd, but not as many were deeply committed to the cause of Christ. This is still true today. There

are many people in churches who enjoy the benefits of Christianity: the community, the generosity

of others, the great music, and the teaching. They enjoy the excitement of being a part of some-

thing big – they enjoy the crowd. However, just like in Jesus’ day, there are many people who have

not fully considered the cost of being a disciple of Christ.

Jesus said to the crowd in verse 25, “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else

by comparison, your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even your own

life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple.” These are strong words, but Jesus wanted to make a

point. Following Christ is more than the latest trend. There is a personal cost and self-denial for

those who really want to follow Christ.

Fitness is huge in our culture today. Year after year, people make New Year’s resolutions to get in

shape. The gyms are packed in January. It’s so exciting to be a part of the fitness movement. But

then the excitement wears off when eating right and working out gets old. Soon the gyms are

empty again and people return to their old habits. I wonder how the crowd responded to Jesus’

words that day. Did they leave when Jesus made this tough statement? There is a cost to being a

disciple and Jesus admonishes us to consider the cost.

Prayer

Lord, help us not to be motivated by the crowd. Help us follow You, fully knowing the cost,

so we can deny ourselves and fully surrender. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 14:25-35 | Jodi RuchTuesday, March 15

Have you ever been talking with someone about something very important only to find out

later they weren’t paying attention to you at all but were preoccupied with something else?

This has happened to me on more than one occasion with my kids, and I have been guilty of it

more than once with my wife! When Jesus was walking to Jerusalem with His disciples, and telling

them about what was to come (His betrayal, beating, death, and resurrection), He experienced

this same scenario. James and John, two of Jesus’ most trusted friends and disciples, came to

Him right after he finished speaking and asked for a place of honor in His kingdom. Their attention

couldn’t have been farther from what Jesus had been talking about.

But when the other disciples heard about it and became upset, Jesus brought them back to what

was really important. He called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord

it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will

be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants

to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.” In the end, it’s not about me. It’s not

about us. It’s about loving others for Jesus.

Have you been distracted by selfish desires? Has your attention been focused more on yourself

than on Jesus? He set the example of serving others through His life and death and has called us

to serve others too. What is God specifically calling you to? Listen for His voice today.

Prayer

God, please help me to hear Your voice and not be distracted by my selfish thoughts. How

can I serve others to reflect Your love today?

Mark 10:35-45 | Aaron GruberWednesday, March 16

It’s weird to think Jesus prayed for himself. He’s the Messiah and He’s praying for Himself?

If Jesus prayed for himself then how much more do we need to pray for ourselves? When I read

this I have to ask myself why he prayed for himself and why He prayed what He prayed.

The answer reminds me of my Mom.

I have to admit, I was a momma’s boy growing up. From birth to twelve years of age, wherever my

Mom went, I went. I even took naps with Mom. I loved being with my Mom. She would always make

me feel loved and safe no matter the situation. When I got into sports, she was always the loudest

person cheering me on. Even when I did badly I could hear her scream, “Come on Terrence! You

can do it.” I heard her scream the loudest when I was wrestling. Wrestling is both a team sport and

an individual competition. You can bring all your points together to win a meet against another

team, but when it’s time to wrestle it’s just you and your opponent on the mat. It’s very easy to feel

alone in those moments. But with my Mom in the stands, I never felt alone.

With Jesus knowing what was about to happen to Him I’m sure loneliness was trying to creep in.

But Jesus didn’t merely accept his situation, he brought his Father into it. When you feel alone it

can lead you to panic and do something that you usually wouldn’t do, but when you have

somebody in your corner it gives you a new confidence. So many times when things happen we

retreat back into a corner by ourselves, but I think God is asking us to invite Him in. Let Him guide

you through the wrestling match of life.

Prayer

Thank You God for always cheering me on! Thank You for being there to coach and

support me in every struggle. Be my strength and my victory today I pray.

John 17:1-5 | Terrence TalleyThursday, March 17

“I think God

is asking us to

invite Him in.”

John 15:1-8 Emily KeymonFriday, March 18

My husband Seth gave me a little bamboo plant to celebrate Valentine’s Day two years

ago. It was actually two stalks that were mostly straight, but the tops were curved and met in the

middle to create theshape of a heart. I named it our “love bamboo” after the “love fern” in a

certain romantic comedy movie. Seth watered it more than I did, because he is good at

remembering things like that. However, after a year or so, the top of one of the stalks started to

brown. Then the whole stalk died. We pulled it out, threw it away, and watered the other stalk. It

had a few leaves sprout from it, but a few months ago it started to brown too. We watered it some

more, but it withered anyway. We threw the whole thing away. Our love bamboo had died.

I will never say that I am a gardener. I do not naturally have a green thumb, with the patience to

tenderly cultivate a garden. And yet that is what I need to do with my relationship with Jesus. In

verse 5 of our passage today, Jesus says, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in Me

and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing.” In order for me to remain

in Jesus, I must tenderly cultivate my relationship with Him. I cannot throw water onto the bamboo

once every few weeks and hope for the best. I want to bear much fruit. I want to do great things for

Christ!

In order to remain in Jesus, we must discipline ourselves to read the Word and let its seeds be

planted in our hearts. We must spend time praying and seeking the Lord, watering the soil and

the plant that is taking shape. We must assess what is growing and prune what is dead, and then

we will see fruit. Take time today to look at your heart. In what stage of the gardening process are

you? What step do you need to take next in order to remain in Jesus?

Prayer

Jesus, I want to remain in You always. Reveal to me what I need to do in order to grow and

bear much fruit.

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the

temple area He saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices. He also saw dealers

at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out

of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the

floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, He told them,

“Get these things out of here. Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!” His disciples

remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

John 2:13-22 | Becky MeyersonSaturday, March 19

David McCullough in his book Mornings on Horseback tells a story about young Teddy Roosevelt.

Roosevelt’s mother Mittie found him so afraid of the Madison Square Church he refused to set foot

in it. He was afraid of something called the “Zeal.” Teddy thought it would hide in the corners. He

thought this “Zeal” might be a large animal like an alligator or a dragon. Teddy said he had heard

the minister talk about it from the Bible. Mittie checked her concordance and found John 2:17,

which in the King James version describes the verse the disciples remember as “The zeal of the

thine house hath eaten me up!”

Jesus is a passionate Lord and Savior. This portion of Scripture shows His passion for the Temple

in Jerusalem. It was a huge, magnificent structure that took 46 years to build. But in Jesus’ day it

had become a shopping mall. Pens of sheep, goats, doves, and other animals for sacrifice were

everywhere. Moneychangers operated their tables. But what had started out perhaps as a con-

venient service had turned into a profitable money making scheme. Jesus stands surveying the

whole affair and He is angry. He is passionate, and His “zeal” for God’s house consumes Him. So

He cleans house! What can this teach us about the need for purity and holiness in our personal

lives?

The real temple, the real place God wants to live, the real place of worship and prayer is the

human heart. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in

you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) Jesus is passionate about you and me, the “temple” of the Holy Spirit.

And He cares just as much about our lives being clean and pure as He did about the physical tem-

ple in Jerusalem. He has a passion that your heart not be cluttered with the world but be set aside

as a place of prayer and worship.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t want the things of the world in my heart. I don’t want the busyness

or even the convenience of temporary things filling the rooms of my life. I ask that you

would purify me and set my life apart only for your purpose.

Have you ever felt like you did not belong? Like everything you are doing is just wrong?

When reading this passage of Scripture, it is clear that Mary is the one who is out of place. She is

not serving the men like her sister Martha. She is sitting at the feet of Jesus, where only the male

disciples sat. She poured out a jar of perfume onto Jesus’ feet, seemingly wasting an entire year’s

worth of pay. Then she wiped His feet with her hair when it was against their culture for a woman

to show her hair at all.

But then we look back to the first verse of this chapter: “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came

to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” I don’t know about you,

but if my brother was raised from the dead like Mary’s was, I would also do something

extraordinary to show Jesus how grateful I was. She probably felt so unworthy to be in Jesus’

presence, so small in the midst of His mighty power. She gave up all she had to glorify him and be

in his presence.

Take a minute. Think about all that Jesus has done for you, all that He has saved you from, and the

new life that He has given you. Spend time in His presence today, thanking Him for His faithfulness.

Move out of your comfort zone to praise Him, and offer everything you are to Him.

Prayer

Jesus, let me never forget all that You have done for me. I worship You for who You are,

and I thank You for all that You have brought me through. I love You, Lord!

John 12:1-11 | Emily KeymonSunday, March 20

John 13:1-17 | Jodi RuchMonday, March 21

Jesus was given authority over everything and yet chose to wash His disciples’ feet.

Washing feet was reserved for the lowly servant. In today’s terms, it would be as if Jesus offered

to come scrub our toilets, not for money but because of love! Doesn’t that sound absurd? In Bible

times, washing feet was just as absurd! However, Jesus wanted to demonstrate love through

humbly serving. I know my kids love me, but deep cleaning for the sake of love would be a stretch!

The gospels depict the story of Jesus’ disciples arguing over who was the greatest in the kingdom

(Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48). The disciples wanted a place of honor. Jesus

points out that the lowly child and the servant are the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus responded

the same way when the mother of the sons of Zebedee requested they have a place of honor.

(Matthew 20:26-28) “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” Jesus said,

“and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man

came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus demonstrated servanthood to His followers. By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus was doing

much more than housekeeping. He was teaching them the keys to the kingdom. John 13:14-17 says.

“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not

greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the mes-

sage. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” The kingdom of God is

different than the world we live in. The way up in the kingdom is bowing down and humbly serving

others. As we have seen Jesus do, we should also do.

Lord, please help us to be servants. Help us to be great in your kingdom by putting others

before ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer

Matthew 27:11-26 | Paul KellyTuesday, March 22

I have always struggled reading through this passage. I would think

to myself, why would Jesus remain silent and allow this to happen?

Everything in me would cry out, “Defend yourself! Tell them who You are!”

After all, Jesus was popular among the people, a persuasive speaker, and

had a growing movement of supporters. It goes against everything in us not

to defend ourselves and take matters into our own hands. We are taught if

you are strong you rely on your own ability to get yourself out of a situation.

What I see now is Jesus draw His strength and confidence from knowing

who He was in God. We see just a couple passages earlier Jesus praying

in the garden of Gethsemane, wrestling with His purpose and saying the

classic line “Not as I will, but as You will.” He knew His purpose and He

knew humankind would find victory in this act of sacrifice. You see it was

not only Barabbas that was spared that day but you and I.

Are you being falsely accused of something? Are you wrestling with

something that seems out of your control? Are you seeking to find purpose

in your life? We have all we need in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The strength you need for anything you are facing now is found in Christ.

The confidence you need to move forward is found in Christ.

Prayer

God give me eyes to see myself as You see me. Give me Your

strength to walk forward in the full confidence of Your will for my life.

Luke 22:54-62 | Stephanie SampleWednesday, March 23

Jane Mulligan. My heart hurts to hear her name. We were church friends all through grade

school, seeing each other every Sunday, until our families went in different directions. At the end

of 7th grade, our mothers decided to send us to YMCA camp together for a week. Though I hadn’t

seen her for nearly two years, I was really looking forward to camp and reconnecting with her. As

her mother’s station wagon pulled up at camp, my excitement peaked. Then, all at once, it plunged.

Quiet and withdrawn, she barely met my gaze, barely mumbled hello. I literally didn’t recognize her.

She’d grown from a bright, happy little girl into a painfully awkward teenager, uncomfortable in her

own skin.

As soon as the popular girls in our cabin showed an interest in me, I left Jane in the dust. “Did you

come with her? Are you guys friends?” they asked. “Not really,” I answered. “I used to play with her

when we were little. My mom set this up.” All week long I ignored her. Caught up in the attention of

a few pretty strangers and the boys in Cabin 3, I repeatedly turned my back on my sweet,

childhood friend. I felt moments of remorse, but the shame didn’t really hit me until I saw her

mother and her twin sister at church a few weeks later. Their eyes told me exactly what I’d done.

Imagining our camp experience through Jane’s eyes, I was devastated by my selfish behavior.

What had I been thinking? How could I care more about the approval of strangers than the feelings

of one of my oldest friends?

Every time I come across this passage of Scripture, I think of Jane. Then I think of Peter. Imagine

the depth of his pain when he realized what he’d done! For three years he’d dedicated his life to

Jesus, following Him everywhere and swearing his undying allegiance. But then fear took over,

and Peter chose to distance himself from Jesus and become one of the crowd. As Lent draws to

a close and Jesus’ death and resurrection draw near, spend some time in contemplation. In which

situations or areas of your life do you distance yourself from Jesus, choosing the easy route of

blending into the crowd? Together, let’s meet His gaze in those moments and allow His love to

fortify our courage to take the harder way. Let’s forego the fleeting approval of the crowd in

exchange for the eternal love of the Savior.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know me so well. You know each and every time I will choose the easy

way—deny my identity in You—and still, You love me. Still, You died for me. Thank You for

Your sacrifice, Your forgiveness, and Your perfect love.

Matthew 27:32-61 | Nathan GramsThursday, March 24

How can you describe the darkest moment of the most difficult day of your life? This is

perhaps a glimpse into what Jesus experienced at the most painful instance of His existence.

Hours before He had cried out in prayer at Gethsemane sweating drops of blood out of the

intense stress he was enduring. He asked to skip this assignment if at all possible, but ended his

prayer saying “Your will be done, not mine.” And it was time to drink the bitter cup of sacrifice.

So much noise and so many voices surrounding Him as He hung on the cross. Simon, an innocent

bystander drafted to carry the beam He would be hung on. The scorning insults of the soldiers

who had pinned Him up there mocking Him and casting lots over his belongings. The insults from

the thief at his side and from all those passing by. Golgotha was a place filled with loud harmful

voices. And yet all of those noises were drowned out by a deafening silence.

“My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?” Why can’t I hear Your voice in the midst of my

suffering? Why do I feel alone and isolated at my weakest most vulnerable moment? I’ve followed

Your path and accepted Your will, but now I feel that You are far from me.

The hardest silence to endure is that which comes from Heaven. Each of us will face our own

Golgotha because we have decided to take up our own cross daily and follow Jesus. There will be

moments of pain when we will feel deserted by God. But even then, remember: His silence is

never forever. He may seem far, but He is closer than you could ever know. Golgotha is not the

end of the story. Sunday is on the way! He will lift you up and fulfill His redemptive plan in you yet.

You will overcome!

Prayer

Father, help me to always hold on to the words and promises You’ve given me. Help me to

walk the path of obedience, even when it is the most difficult. Help me to stay the course

and trust You, even when I can’t hear You in the midst of destructive shouts. Redeem me,

Lord, and show Yourself to be my savior.

Luke 23:26-56 | Bryan TalsoGood Friday, March 25

The last words of a dying person are normally never forgotten. A peson’s

closing comments often reveal their pain and agony. Some enter eternity without

saying anything, while others utter sentiments that disclose their values,

priorities, and innermost thoughts. The gospel of Luke takes an up-close look at

one of Jesus’ last sayings from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not

know what they are doing.”

According to Roman historians, it was very common for those who were

crucified to utter blasphemies and words of wrath toward those who were

involved in the execution. Jesus could have rightly prayed, “Father, consume

them and wipe them from the face of the earth.” Instead, when His persecutors

hurled their insults at Him, mocked and spat upon Him, the blessed mouth of

Jesus formed His words into a prayer for pardon. His request was not for Himself

but for them and us. In His agony, His first thought is to plead in prayer for those

who are in desperate need of forgiveness. When man had done his worst, Jesus

prayed, not for justice, but for mercy.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t pray that the Father would just forget about what they

were doing, but He specifically requests “forgiveness.” This is a forgiveness that

acts as a pardon releasing them from their debt to God. Jesus loves the sinner,

even in horrible pain and exhaustion He has love and compassion for those who

don’t deserve it. Today, let’s remember that Jesus didn’t die just for the loveable

people, but also for the unlovable. His forgiveness extends to all mankind. May

we also forgive as Christ has.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your sacrifice and the forgiveness You

have extended to me. Help me to love others as You have loved me and

to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

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