April 23 – Matthew 27:46
Matthew 27:46 NIV About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” —which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Like I said yesterday, we’ll probably never really understand what He went through, but this might have been some of the worst. His Father had abandoned (another translation of the Greek work)Him. Turned His back, hid His face from Sin. Jesus, who hated... Read More
April 22 – Matthew 26:42
Matthew 26:42 NIV He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” How can we ever know what He really went through for us? Even if we could imagine the physical (and Mel Gibson tried), I think the spiritual is totally beyond us. We say, “When I get to heaven, I’m going to ask God_______,” but most of those things won’t... Read More
April 21 – Matthew 26:40
Matthew 26:40 NIV Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. Oh, me, too, Jesus. I fall asleep. Or I choose other things. Why is it that my special time with You is always the first to go, on a busy day? But You asked them again to watch with You. Ask me again. Be first. Be the center. Draw me to You. Again. To catch up on previous days, click... Read More
April 20 – Matthew 26:38
Matthew 26:38 NIV Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” The humanity of Jesus seems so real here, doesn’t it? What was His sorrow? For us, for what He was about to go through, because He had to “become sin”? And then He asks them to stay with Him. Could it possibly have been for HIS sake? Does He still long for that — does He ask... Read More
April 19 – Proverbs 31:31
Proverbs 31:31 NIV Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. One reward will be God’s “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come and share your master’s happiness.” Hey! Who’s at the city gate where she’s getting praised? That’s where her husband is sitting! Or maybe the city is the New Jerusalem, and she’s getting her eternal reward and praise. Fun... Read More
April 18 – Proverbs 31:30
Proverbs 31:30 NIV Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Sometimes when you’re being “charming,” doesn’t it even feel un-authentic? It does to me. And external beauty IS fleeting. But think of some of the godly women you know. There’s an inner beauty that radiates (or is it revitates?!!) [an aside to you blog-readers — Annie used to? still does? make up... Read More
April 17 – Proverbs 31:29
Proverbs 31:29 NIV “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” [husband speaking to wife] “You surpass them all.” Wouldn’t it be great if every husband thought his wife was the best one? And if every husband knew how much harder we work for his praise than as a result of his criticism? I’ll bet right now you could name specific times when Drew praised you for something in the past. I know I can... Read More
April 16 – Proverbs 31:28
Proverbs 31:28 NIV Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: [we find out what he says to her tomorrow!] What a reward! These are children loved and nurtured by a mother they have watched and learned to respect. And they’ve heard the praise their dad gives to her. And besides the Lord’s “well-done,” isn’t this really what we work for? Isn’t it built into our hearts to want... Read More
April 15 – Proverbs 31:27
Proverbs 31:27 Amp She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip, discontent, and self-pity] she will not eat. NIV — She watches over the affairs of her household… Yes, the dishes, laundry, meals. Yes, the budget, shopping, getting the piano tuned. But also — how are the hearts of her children? Her own heart? Does her husband feel honored, respected, cared for? Notice the Troublesome Trio... Read More
April 14 – Proverbs 31:26
Proverbs 31:26 NIV She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Amp — and in her tongue is the law of kindness — giving counsel and instruction. I love this verse! Don’t you just long to be like this?!! To speak with wisdom — it begins with the fear of the Lord, you know. And to know that the counsel and instruction you give is “faithful” and includes the “law of kindness”?... Read More
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