Daily Devotional from Matthew 27--Verse 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”Sometimes things happen in life that make us feel as if God has abandoned us. Here in Matthew 27, Jesus is on the cross, the sin of the world is on his shoulders and for the first time—he felt as if God had aba...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 26--Verse 50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.We have all sinned and betrayed God. We are each responsible for the suffering and death of Jesus. But even at the time Judas was betraying Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus called Judas “friend”.  And I don’t believe this was sarcasm.Even tho...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Psalm 109—Verse 31aFor He stands at the right hand of the needy one…If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t like feeling like you are needy. We prefer to feel independent, self-sufficient, in control. But if all our needs are met, then we don’t need God. And if we don’t need Him, why would he hang out near us?The Bible says that the Lord stands at the right hand of tho...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 25--Verse 40As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Jesus stands in solidarity with the down and outs. He has a special affinity with the needy. I find it interesting that he doesn’t come and personally fix the problem himself but waits for his representatives (the church) to do something about it. He wants the church to see them. He ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 24--Verse 31And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. How do you feel when you read passages about Jesus’s return, and the time before that happens? As a child, I was always afraid. My parents would have gone on a walk and my immediate response was, “Oh no! They’ve...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 23--Verse 37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!Jerusalem has been known for killing prophets and treating them horribly. But God kept sending them. God out of his great love sent more peo...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 22--Verse 3[The King] sent his servants to summon those invited to the banquet, but they didn’t want to come.Getting an invitation to an important event is so exciting (and an incredible honor). In this parable, a King was throwing an extravagant wedding banquet and those invited didn’t want to come! Can you believe it?  Some had more important things to do. Some were...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 21--Verse 18In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry.Jesus was God and man! When we hear or read about Jesus, we often think of His Godly attributes - like His ability to heal disease, forgive sin, raise the dead, or love unconditionally. But the verse above reminds us that He was human as well. He got hungry! Jesus was conceived by the Holy S...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Proverb 3—Verse 3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.We are encouraged here to wear love and faithfulness in two places: like a necklace – where people can see it, and written on our hearts – where God can see it.As followers of Jesus, if there are just two characteristics we should be focused...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 20--Verse 15Do you begrudge my generosity? When somebody else – less deserving – gets blessed just as much as you, it’s a bit distasteful. We cry, “That’s not fair!” And you’re right. It’s not. And praise God it isn’t. Because if it was, we’d all be punished for eternity. Lost and without hope. That’s fair. So, we don’t want fair. We want grace. So, next time you’re t...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 19—Verse 21Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”Salvation is a freely given gift, but following Jesus requires that we die to our flesh. The Bible says, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” One thing we must die to is the love of money, wh...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Matthew 18--Verses 19-20Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.You might be familiar with this passage, but have you taken it to heart? If we can unite together with desires to see God’s Kingdom come, we’ll see souls saved, ...  Read More