Daily Devotion for April 06, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Acts 1:8.

We sometimes read about God entering into the lives of Biblical characters like Moses, David, Saul who became Paul, and others; and this just seems like something that happened to others and that could never happen to us. But this announcement from Jesus to the apostles should be heard as a personal announcement to each one of us who choose to follow Christ. 

When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, to give us spiritual gifts and to give us the power to use them. This is a very powerful thing that we often fail to see and understand, which means we then fail to respond. There is a grave danger that we profess our faith in Christ and join the church as if we were simply becoming members of a social group or community service organization. In this verse, Jesus is telling the apostles and us that, filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be Christ’s witnesses in our communities, in areas a bit further away, in areas and with people who may not like us, and even in far distant places. 

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on how the Holy Spirit is acting in and through you. Do you know which gifts the Spirit has given you? Are you using those to serve others through the church? Find more and more places and ways to be witnesses for Christ, and the Spirit will bless you for it.

Daily Devotion for April 05, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 28:1-6 .

The traditional greeting on Easter Sunday for the pastor to the congregation is CHRIST IS RISEN! The congregational responds, HE IS RISEN INDEED! I am grateful today that we serve a risen savior.

Over the last 2000 years skeptics have tried to disprove the Resurrection of Jesus. They have used logic, reason, philosophy, science, and lies to prove their point. Professor Thomas Arnold of Oxford University in England was a history professor who spent his whole life looking critically at different eras of history to determine what is true, what is exaggerated, and what is false. When he researched the period of history in which Christ lived, he discovered that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best documented event in history He goes on to say that there is more historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus than there is for the fall of the Roman Empire. He states, “if we cannot believe in the resurrection, we cannot believe any of our history books.”

Let us celebrate our resurrected Lord today and every day!

Personal Worship Option:

Resurrected Jesus, This morning we come before You with hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude. The stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty! On this glorious Easter morning, fill our hearts with the same wonder that filled the women at the tomb, and the same faith that ignited in the disciples. In Jesus name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 04, 2026

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 23:47-56.

When Jesus died, He was placed in a borrowed tomb. Borrowed because He would not need it for long. He was buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.  Saturday was a long sad day for all who loved Jesus. He told them He would be raised from the dead, but they did not understand. Friday was difficult because of Jesus’ death, and the silence and stillness of Saturday was very sad as well. The Saturday before the Resurrection was sometimes called Holy Saturday or Silent Saturday. There were no miracles, no voice of Jesus teaching or comforting, just grief, and confusion.

That long sad, silent, still Saturday, teaches us that God had a plan for Jesus and God has a plan for our life as well. Sometimes we may feel like we are living in a perpetual silent Saturday, but we must remember that God is still working when we can’t see Him. Waiting doesn’t mean abandonment, and every Saturday gives way to Sunday.

Personal Worship Option:

Crucified Savior, thank You that the grave could not hold You. Thank You for your sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. Help us to remember that the troubles we face today are temporary, and that a Sunday is around the corner from every Saturday. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 03, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 23:33-46.

The crucifixion is at the very center of our faith.  The love Jesus showed us through His suffering is extraordinary.   This was Passover, the time that people brought lambs for the sacrifice of sin, yet Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.  Read the words of the song, “Watch the Lamb” and ponder the sacrifice that Jesus made for you. Click link to watch: WATCH THE LAMB by Ray Boltz

 

WATCH THE LAMB by Ray Boltz

Walking on the road to Jerusalem

The time had come to sacrifice again

My two small sons

They walked beside me on the road

The reason that they came

Was to watch the lamb

"Daddy, Daddy, what will we see there?

There's so much that we don't understand"

So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham

And then I said, "Dear children, watch the Lamb"

There will be so many in Jerusalem today

We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away"

And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham

Then I said, "Dear children, watch the lamb"

When we reached the city

I knew something must be wrong

There were no joyful worshippers

No joyful worship songs

I stood there with my children

In the midst of angry men

And then I heard the crowd cry out

"Crucify Him!"

We tried to leave the city

But we could not get away

Forced to play in this drama

A part I did not wish to play

Why upon this day

Were men condemned to die?

Why were we all standing here

When soon they would pass by?

I looked and said

"Even now they come"

The first one pleaded for mercy

The people gave him none

The second one was violent

He was arrogant and loud

I can still hear his angry voice

Screaming at the crowd

Then someone said, "There's Jesus"

And I scarce believed my eyes

A man so badly beaten

He barely looked alive

Blood poured from His body

From the thorns upon His brow

Running down the cross

And falling to the ground

I watched as He struggled

I watched Him as He fell

The cross came down upon His back

The crowd began to yell

In that moment I felt such agony

In that moment I felt such loss

Until the Roman soldier grabbed my arm

And screamed, "YOU! Carry his cross!"

At first, I tried to resist him

Then his hand reached for his sword

And so I knelt and took

The cross from the Lord

I placed it on my shoulder

And started down the street

The blood that He'd been shedding

Was running down my cheek

They led us to Golgatha

They drove nails deep in His feet and hands

And yet upon the cross, I heard Him pray

"Father, forgive them"

Oh, never have I seen such love

In any other eyes

"Into thy hands, I commit My spirit,"

He prayed and then He died

I stood for what seemed like years

I'd lost all sense of time

Until I felt two tiny hands

Holding tight to mine

My children stood there weeping

And I heard the oldest say

"Father please forgive us

The lamb ran away

Daddy Daddy, what have we seen here

There's so much that we don't understand"

So I took them in my arms

And we turned and faced the cross

And then I said, "Dear children, watch the Lamb"

Personal Worship Option:

Keep your eyes on Jesus. He brings salvation, hope, forgiveness, and joy.

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.