Daily Devotion for April 02, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 26:20-35.

Jesus celebrated a ceremonial final meal with his disciples. We call it the Last Supper. At the table with them he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and passed it to the disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

In the church we celebrate this new-covenant meal by breaking bread and drinking juice together in remembrance of Jesus. We call it the Lord’s Supper. During the week before Easter, which we call Holy Week, Holy Thursday is the time that most churches reenact the last supper with communion.  This meal, communion, replaces the Jewish Passover. There is no longer any need to bring a lamb to the altar, because Christ is the Lamb of God, sacrificed once for all, who takes away the sin of the world.  By taking communion it promotes the nourishment to live and grow in our relationship with God.

Personal Worship Option:

We praise you, Lord Jesus, for your undying love shown to us in so many ways as you walked toward your death for our sake. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 01, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 21:37-22:6.

We often treat the events of Holy Week as if we were simply spectators. We are there watching the procession into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; we watch Jesus in the temple growing angry with the moneychangers; we are at the Last Supper; we are there in the garden waiting and watching with the disciples. There is definitely no “down time” during Holy Week - and we are cautioned to pay attention and learn from what we are observing. Watching, waiting, and witnessing are all important parts of our Christian faith journey. 

And yet…. there are also hints throughout this week that we are more personally involved than simply being a spectator. For example, look at verse Luke 22:6 (NRSV), "So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present". The closing verse in today’s scripture passage is in reference to Judas Iscariot and his eventual betrayal of his friend Jesus. But it also describes a very human failing that all of us can be capable of when we are dealing with our own sin and self-interests. The Holy Week scriptures remind us over and over that we can all fall short of who we claim to be - and of how much we need Jesus.        

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to follow you this week. Even in the tough places. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 31, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 24:42-44.

These words remind us that the Christian life is one of watchfulness. Jesus compares His return to a thief coming in the night—not to create fear, but to emphasize the unexpected nature of His coming. Just as a homeowner would stay alert if they knew a thief might come, believers are called to live with spiritual awareness and readiness.

Being ready does not mean constantly trying to predict the future. Instead, it means living faithfully today. It means loving others, serving Christ, walking in obedience, and keeping our hearts close to God. Readiness is not about anxiety; it is about faithfulness.

Each day is an opportunity to live in a way that honors Christ. When we forgive quickly, speak truthfully, serve humbly, and trust God fully, we are living prepared lives. A heart devoted to Christ today will not fear His return tomorrow.

Jesus’ call to “keep watch” is really a call to live with purpose. Our hope is not in this world alone but in the promise that Christ will come again. And when He does, those who have trusted Him and lived for Him will rejoice.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me live each day with a heart that is ready for You. Keep me faithful in the ordinary moments of life. Teach me to watch, to trust, and to live in a way that honors You until the day You return. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 30, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Mark 11:12-19.

On Monday morning, Jesus saw a fig tree without any fruit on it as he was leaving Bethany for Jerusalem. He cursed the tree, saying that no one would ever eat of its fruit again. Without further explanation, one might assume that Jesus is teaching a lesson about bearing fruit, but it was not the season for the tree to be bearing figs. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, liked to say that “Scripture teaches Scripture,” and that is certainly true here. In Mark 11:20-26, we learn that the apostles discovered the fig tree completely withered the next morning. When they pointed that out to Jesus, he told them to have faith in God.

Matthew 21:18-22 tells this story also with the same lesson…have faith, and we can do things even greater than causing a fig tree to wither. I have been guilty at times of praying without really believing that God would do what I was asking, and that is the wrong way to pray! Jesus says that we are to pray, believing we have already received that for which we are asking.  

Personal Worship Option:

Almighty God, help me increase my faith. I confess that I pray sometimes without really believing you will answer. Help me to know you always answer and to see that is true even when the answer is different from my request. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 29, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 21:1-22.

This Palm Parade took place on the Sunday before the Resurrection. It was such an important moment in history. The prophet Zechariah prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. He writes,

“Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!

Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem!  

Behold, your king is coming to you; 

He is righteous and endowed with salvation,

Humble, and mounted on a donkey,

Even a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

                                                                                                                      

Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem on a donkey? There is nothing wrong with a donkey but why not a majestic animal like a horse? A horse symbolizes majesty and royalty, but it also symbolizes war. They were expecting Jesus to overthrow the Roman Government and set up His kingdom then and there. Riding into Jerusalem on a war horse could have made things more difficult. It was not the message Jesus wanted to send. A donkey is a symbol of meekness. 

The hope for all the world went into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey. He would soon be crucified on a borrowed cross and placed in a borrowed tomb. As we celebrate Holy Week, let us read the scriptures, and think about the events of Holy Week: the meal, the sacrifice, and the glory of the Resurrection.

Personal Worship Option:

King Jesus, we lift our voices in praise, thanking You for sending Your Son not with pride and power, but with meekness and love. As we wave our spiritual palm branches today, prepare our hearts for the journey of Holy Week and may you reign in our hearts King Jesus. Amen

Daily Devotion for March 28, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Revelation 7:9-11.

In John’s vision he sees a great multitude of people from every nation on earth wearing white robes and they had palm branches in their hands. We find an interesting connection between Palm Sunday and this moment. On Palm Sunday the people took branches and cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Jesus the King of Glory enters not on a warhorse, but on a donkey the symbol of peace. Palm Sunday reminds us that God’s ways are not the world’s ways. His victory begins in humility.

In Revelation, the redeemed hold palm branches again, but this time they are not watching Jesus ride on a donkey as he enters Jerusalem. They are looking at a Lamb who reigns on the throne and are shouting, “Salvation belongs to our God!” They continued to praise Him by saying “Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen”

Let us glorify God and praise His holy name together as we celebrate Palm Sunday. 

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, just as the crowds welcomed You into Jerusalem with palm branches, we welcome You into our hearts today. Teach us to praise You not only in moments of triumph but also in seasons of trial. May our “Hosanna” today become a proclamation that salvation belongs to God. In Jesus name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 27, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Isaiah 62:11.

Isaiah prophesies that salvation is coming.  They celebrated this. “salvation that has come”, riding on a donkey as Jesus is the ultimate avenue of salvation.  This verse carries a powerful message of hope and divine promise, resonating deeply with those who seek reassurance in times of uncertainty. It speaks to the heart of God's relationship with His people, emphasizing His unwavering commitment and love.

In our daily lives, we can draw strength from knowing that God sees our struggles and is actively working on our behalf. The phrase "behold, your salvation comes" serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and attentive to God's presence around us. It encourages us to look for signs of His work, even when circumstances appear bleak.

This verse also challenges us to be messengers of hope for others. Just as God proclaims His promise to the "daughter of Zion," we are called to share the good news of salvation and encouragement with those who may be struggling. In doing so, we participate in the divine mission of bringing light and hope to a world in need.

Ultimately, Isaiah 62:11 invites us to trust in God's faithfulness, to hold on to His promises, and to live in the assurance that our deliverance is on the horizon. This assurance can transform our anxieties into peace and our despair into hope, guiding us as we navigate the complexities of life.

 

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer: Dear, Jesus. As we ponder the wonder of your salvation, help us to embrace You and to encourage others with hope and light. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.