Monday, April 21 – “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” (Luck 24:1) Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to show up. Jesus died on Friday. The women had all day Saturday to sit around and stew over what to do next. Do we go to the tomb? Do we leave town? Do we just move on with our lives? They made the choice to show up. And that decision literally changed their lives.
Tuesday, April 22 – “He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’” (John 20:15) Who is it you are looking for? Are you looking for a magician to cast a spell? Are you looking for a miracle worker? Are you looking for a teacher? Are you looking for inspiration? Are you looking for forgiveness? Are you looking for a right relationship with God? Are you looking for a savior? Your answer is standing right in front of you.
Wednesday, April 23 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” (Isaiah 53:3) Oh what a difference a few days can make. We’re a fickle bunch, us humans. Celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry on Palm Sunday. Shouting for him to be crucified on Thursday. Killing him on Friday. And now seeking a more intimate relationship with the risen Christ on Wednesday. Good thing grace abounds!
Thursday, April 24 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Back in Genesis, sin came into the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The consequence of this sin is the reality of death. Death is the debt that all of us owe to God. Jesus settled our debt on the cross. His death paid the price. Through Jesus you have peace, because you’re good with God.
Friday, April 25 – “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22:16-18) These words were written by King David (Jesus’ great, great, great, great…grandfather) some 1044 years before Jesus was born. What God is up to today is nothing but the fulfillment of what God has always been up to. Come on, piercing hands and feet, bones on display, people gloating, dividing his clothes, 1044 years before Jesus was ever born?
Saturday, April 26 – “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” (Psalm 22:30-31) He has done it! Jesus was who he was created and gifted to be. Jesus literally picked up his cross and followed his purpose. Now it’s your turn. The only way that anyone will ever learn about, and believe in Jesus, is through you being you. Through you being who God has created you and gifted you to be. Through you picking up your cross and following Jesus.
Tuesday, April 22 – “He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’” (John 20:15) Who is it you are looking for? Are you looking for a magician to cast a spell? Are you looking for a miracle worker? Are you looking for a teacher? Are you looking for inspiration? Are you looking for forgiveness? Are you looking for a right relationship with God? Are you looking for a savior? Your answer is standing right in front of you.
Wednesday, April 23 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” (Isaiah 53:3) Oh what a difference a few days can make. We’re a fickle bunch, us humans. Celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry on Palm Sunday. Shouting for him to be crucified on Thursday. Killing him on Friday. And now seeking a more intimate relationship with the risen Christ on Wednesday. Good thing grace abounds!
Thursday, April 24 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Back in Genesis, sin came into the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The consequence of this sin is the reality of death. Death is the debt that all of us owe to God. Jesus settled our debt on the cross. His death paid the price. Through Jesus you have peace, because you’re good with God.
Friday, April 25 – “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22:16-18) These words were written by King David (Jesus’ great, great, great, great…grandfather) some 1044 years before Jesus was born. What God is up to today is nothing but the fulfillment of what God has always been up to. Come on, piercing hands and feet, bones on display, people gloating, dividing his clothes, 1044 years before Jesus was ever born?
Saturday, April 26 – “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” (Psalm 22:30-31) He has done it! Jesus was who he was created and gifted to be. Jesus literally picked up his cross and followed his purpose. Now it’s your turn. The only way that anyone will ever learn about, and believe in Jesus, is through you being you. Through you being who God has created you and gifted you to be. Through you picking up your cross and following Jesus.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
