Scripture text for Tuesday, April 6th, 2010: John 18:1-18:40

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When I was in college I set several goals that I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30. I have done fairly well on most of them, but there is one goal that I have not met . . . to get arrested. (Don’t worry, I have no current plans to get arrested)

Scripture text for Monday, April 5th, 2010: Luke 22:1-22:46

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This passage begins with a description of Judas’ early steps to betray Christ, approaching the chief priests and accepting money to betray Jesus. Luke’s reference to Satan is a reminder that the forces of evil were rallying to defeat Christ. As you continue to celebrate Easter today, praise God for all that was defeated and won on the cross!

Scripture text for Friday, April 2nd, 2010: John 11:1-11:57

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Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. At some point we are all face incredible, and horrendous heartaches. We have all felt hopeless, lost, and forsaken. Sometimes it is a dying spouse, sometimes it is wayward children, sometimes it is just life…and it’s overwhelming.

Scripture text for Wednesday, March 31st, 2010: John 9:1-9:41

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Why do bad things happen to good people? We hear this all the time-in the news, in the church, at home-we’ve all witnessed tragedies that we don’t understand and can’t possibly comprehend why God would allow it to happen. In our parable for today the disciples pretty much ask Jesus that same question-whose fault is it that this poor man is blind, and has been since birth?

Scripture text for Tuesday, March 30th, 2010: Matthew 14:22-36

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Most days I can barely keep my head above water. As laundry, dishes, social commitments and work responsibilities pile up, the sensation of drowning increases. How can I be a godly wife, mother, daughter, friend, employee and neighbor when I can’t even remember to eat lunch? Yet, here I read that Jesus (and Peter) not only kept their heads above water, but their whole bodies!! How?

The quick – and accurate – answer is FAITH (vs. 31). But I am drawn to the verses earlier in the chapter that discuss all the stresses Jesus had experienced in the same day. Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded and instead of getting to grieve for his cousin, he is followed by a crowd of at least 5,000 people. Matthew says, “He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (vs. 14) and then provides them with a plentiful supper out of 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. His experiences of the day should have left him physically exhausted, spiritually drained and emotionally grieved. How then could he walk on water? How can I walk on water?