Day 98 - April 8, 2025

Scripture: John 11:45-57

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him. (NIV)

Observation:

After hearing about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the Sanhedrin convened, concerned that many people would now believe in Jesus and that the Romans would come and take away their temple and their nation. “Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.’” (John 11:49-50) As the high priest that year, Caiaphas, whether knowingly or unknowingly, was prophesying Jesus' death as a sacrifice for the Jewish nation and all the scattered people of God.

Application:

When we observe the circumstances in our lives and the events that surround us, we should look for God's hand at work. Just as the circumstances surrounding that year's Passover set up God's plan for Jesus to be the unblemished perfect sacrifice, it also established the plan for the salvation of all who believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Son of Man.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, people make plans, but Your plans prevail. Help us, as Your children, to cooperate with Your plan for our lives. Help us to recognize Your hand of grace and allow us to be agents of that grace in the world. Bless us, O Lord, to be a blessing to all the people we encounter in our lives, all to Your glory. Amen.

Day 97 - April 7, 2025

Scripture: Jonh 11:28-44

11:28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (NIV)

Observation:

Jesus knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Yet, when invited to come and see where Lazarus had been laid, we encounter the shortest verse in the Bible "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). Jesus joins us in our human condition and is moved to tears by the pain and reality of our death. He came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest. Jesus truly loves us, even to the point of His own death on the cross.

Application:

Since Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life as a ransom for all who believe in Him, let us trust our Lord and God with our whole selves. Let us conform to His will for our lives, for He knows the plans He has made for us, plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for your immense and unconditional love for us. We thank you for being the Resurrection and the Life. Help us to live in the grace that you provide for us by being gracious to others in our lives. Amen.

Day 96 - April 6, 2025

Scripture: John 11:17-21

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (NIV)

Observation:

While Jesus was comforting Marha, he said to her that her brother would rise again, she replied, “‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’” (John 11:24-27) Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Application:

Martha had come a long way from the time she demanded that Jesus ask her sister Mary to help her in the preparations for a meal. Notice now that it is Martha who is awaiting Jesus and meets him first as Jesus is coming to comfort both Martha and Mary. Out of Martha’s mouth comes the testimony that she believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into the world in human flesh to redeem and forgive us. You are the Resurrection and the Life in which our lives, move, and have our meaning. Help us to remain in You and in Your love as we live our daily lives. Amen

Day 95 - April 5, 2025

Scripture: John 11:1-16

11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (NIV)

Observation:

When Jesus receives word that Lazarus was sick, he intentionally waits two days until he tells his disciples that their friend Lazarus had fallen asleep and that he was going to wake him up. But his disciples said if he sleeps, he will get better. But Jesus was talking about his death and not natural sleep. “So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’” (John 11:14-15) Jesus would use the death of Lazarus so that his followers would believe that Jesus had the power and authority to restore a person back to life.

Application:

Jesus has the authority and the power to restore and transform our lives, giving us true life. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) Since Jesus is Messiah and since Jesus is our true life, let us believe in him and follow his commands.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, in you is life and light. Shine your light upon us, O Lord, and help us to follow you in every circumstance of life. We acknowledge your power and authority to grant us eternal life and enable us to become children of God as we believe in you and adhere to your ways and teachings. Amen.

Day 94 - April 4, 2025

Scripture: John 8:48-59

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. (NIV)

Observation:

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” (John 8:58-59) Jesus is the eternal Son Of God, who existed before creation.

Application:

As eternally God’s Son, Jesus is also Creator God along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John tells us earlier in his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God and God the Son, we thank you for your unconditional agape love for us. We thank you for taking on human flesh and becoming our atoning and perfect sacrifice. Help us to obey your words that lead to everlasting life. Help us to be faithful followers of you so that others might come to know you as their God. All this is to glorify the Father by the active participation of the Holy Spirit in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Day 93 - April 3, 2025

Scripture: John 8:31-47

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (NIV)

Observation:

Jesus said to those who were his followers, “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) But those in the crowd who had no room in their hearts for Jesus’ teaching argued with Jesus that because they were descendants of Abraham, they have never been slaves, so they would not need to be set free. Jesus was speaking to them about spiritual things of God, yet they could not comprehend as they had closed their minds to the truth.

Application:

Jesus is who he says he is, The Son of Man and the Son of God. His words are true, and we can follow him with confidence for Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life that we should be following.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be open to your teaching, so that we might be set free of our sins and be free to follow you. Show us your ways and guide us by your Word and your Holy Spirit who is always with us. Convict us where we need correction and reconcile us to yourself, that we might be faithful followers of the living God. Amen.

Day 92 - April 2, 2025

Scripture: John 8:21-30

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is.

21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

25 “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

Observation:

Jesus speaks of his own death in a way that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law did not understand. He said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:28-29)

Application:

Jesus is who he said he is, the Son of Man and the Son of God. Whoever believes in him as Messiah, has forgiveness of sins and life eternal. The “Son of Man” is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14, which describes the Son of Man, saying: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Jesus is the Son of Man described in Daniel 7:13-14.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for our salvation which is ours by believing in you as Messiah, The Son of Man from Daniel 7:13-14. Thank you for forgiving our sins and for showing ius The Way, The Truth and The Life in which we should follow. Bless us as your people to be faithful followers of the Living God. Amen.

Day 91 - April 1, 2025

Scripture: John 18:12-20

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. (NIV)

Observation:

Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, he speaks openly and there is no deceit in him. He is an open book of truth. When Jesus was on trial about his teachings, he said, “I have spoken openly to the world, …I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.”

Application:

Truth never needs to be hidden. It should be spoken openly without restraint in the marketplaces, in the courtyards, in places of worship, on the hilltops. Truth should be open to everyone at all times. Jesus spoke plainly to the world and in the open and we should do the same.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to speak the truth at all times and in all places, in the open as you did. Help us not to fear the world, or what people think about us, for truth will set us free in you. Amen.

Day 90

Scripture: Psalm 143

A Psalm of David

Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Observation:

“Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:8b-10)

Application:

Like David, let us allow the Lord to show us the way in which we should go, trusting in the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord God, we place our trust in you, the Living Lord, show us and teach us your ways that we might walk in them. Help us to trust you in every circumstance that we might find ourselves.

Day 89 - March 30, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 139

For the Director of Music, A Psalm of David

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)

Observation:

David, the psalmist had sojourned so long with God that he came to know that God knows us fully. He writes: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) David realizes that God has always known David’s inmost thoughts even his sinful thoughts and desires. David decides why not invite God in to shape his paths that he may walk in God’s ways leading him to eternal righteousness.

Application:

Why not invite God into our thoughts and everyday actions. Like David, let us invite God to shape our days and enlighten our paths. Allow God’s word and the presence of his Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us after God’ way, that we might dwell in the hous of the Lord forever.

Prayer:

Lord, teach us your ways and guide our decisions that we might honor you in everything we think, say and do. Allow us to be vessels of your love and grace that others might come to know you and love you. Amen.

Day 88 - March 29, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 131

A Psalm of Ascents of David

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

Observation:

A very short Psalm of Ascents, written by David who reminds Israel to place their hope in the Lord, always. He writes, “…put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:3b) As David counsels Israel to place their hope in the Lord, he also speaks to us, the People of God.

Application:

David speaks with authority, for the Lord came to his aid on numerous occasions throughout his life. Despite David's grievous sins, God forgave him when he approached God with a sorrowful and contrite heart, placing his hope in the Lord, and we can do the same. Therefore, hope in the Lord. Maintain a close relationship with the Lord your God, and you will find favor in His eyes.

Prayer:

O Lord, our God, we come before you aware that we have fallen far short of your best intentions for our lives. Our sin separates us from you, but you are a forgiving and merciful God. Cleanse our thoughts and minds and forgive us of our sinfulness, that we might place all our hope in you now and into eternity. Amen.

Day 87 - March 28, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 130

A Psalm of Ascents

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins. (NIV)

Observation:

The psalmists celebrates that our God is a forgiving and merciful God. Who could stans without his forgiveness? The psalmist writes: “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” (Psalm 130:3-4)

Application:

With God’s forgiveness and mercy, we are thankful, and are enabled to do good things out of reverence for the Lord. So, do good things out of reverence for the Lord who redeemed you to do good works in his name.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your mercy and your forgiveness, for we have fallen short of your best intentions for our lives. But, with your forgiveness and mercy we are remade in your image and are enabled to do good things in your name. If we remain in you, you have promised to remain in us and we will be fruitful, all to your Glory. Amen!

Day 86 - March 27, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 127

A Psalm of Ascents of Soloman

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court. (NIV)

Observation:

The wisdom of Soloman is on display when the psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) People make plans, but God’s plans prevail.

Application:

When we abide in the Lord, the Lord will abide in us and we will be fruitful.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank you for our gift of faith in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who remains in us to remind us of the Way, the Truth and the Life exemplified by your Son. Help us to remain in you every day of our lives that we might always be faithful and fruitful towards the building of your kingdom. Lead us and use us a vessels of your grace, all to your Glory. Amen.

Day 85 - March 26, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 125

A Psalm of Ascents

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people
    both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
    over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
    their hands to do evil.

4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
    to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
    the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

Observation:

The Psalmist knows that the Lord can be trusted at all times. He writes: “ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:1-2)

Application:

As we trust in the Lord, with all our heart, no matter what circumstance we may be facing, we will not be shaken for the Lord is our ever-present help at all times.

Prayer:

Lord, you never promise that we will not have trials or even suffering, but your ever-present help is always with us as we journey through our lives. We know that we can trust you in every circumstance and that you have us in the grip of your amazing grace both now and forever. Amen.

Day 84 - March 25, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 124

A Psalm of Ascent of David

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say. 2 if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation:

David writes about the Lord’s protection and deliverance saying, “if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us… Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:2-3, 8)

Application:

“If God is with us who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Our God is always with us and will never forsake us, yet we need to be living our lives in the will of God. If we are opposed to God’s will, will God battle against his own will for us? No, we need to walk circumspectly in the world and be aware of the enemy’s snares. We need to be on our Lord’s side. We need to choose God!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you are our rescuer and redeemer, and ever-present help in times of trouble. You have reconciled us to yourself, but you also want us to live into the grace that you have provided for us. You want us to live transformed lives that we might not only be recipients of your grace, but be extenders of your grace, all to your Glory. Amen.

Day 83 - March 24, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 123

1 Lord, I look up to you,
    up to heaven, where you rule.
2 As a servant depends on his master,
    as a maid depends on her mistress,
so we will I keep looking to you, O Lord our God,
    until you have mercy on us.

3 Be merciful to us, Lord, be merciful;
    we have been treated with so much contempt.
4 We have been mocked too long by the rich
    and scorned by proud oppressors.

Observation:

Today’s Psalmist, like yesterday looks to the heavens for his aide. He looks to the Only God. He writes: “Lord, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.” (Psalm 123:1)

Application:

Where do you look for help? Can you say like our psalmist, that you look to the Lord for your help?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you are constantly with us through your Holy Spirit. I will look to your word with the help of your Spirit that I might walk in the ways that lead to life eternal. I will look to Jesus for my example of how I should live my life, for Jesus you are the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

Day 82 - March 23, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 121

1 I look to the mountains;
    where will my help come from?
2 My help will come from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let you fall;
    your protector is always awake.

4 The protector of Israel
    never dozes or sleeps.
5 The Lord will guard you;
    he is by your side to protect you.
6 The sun will not hurt you during the day,
    nor the moon during the night.

7 The Lord will protect you from all danger;
    he will keep you safe.
8 He will protect you as you come and go
    now and forever.

Observation:

Psalm 121 is one of the psalms in a section of the psalms called Psalms of Ascents. These psalms were most probably used by pilgrims on the journey to one of the major festivals. The Temple in Jerusalem was built on Mount Zion, so a pilgrim needed to ascend as they journeyed toward the Temple of the Lord. The Psalmist here asks and answers his own question, “I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Application:

Where does our help come from? Often times we seek help from all sorts of places, but the psalmist today reminds us that we need not look further than our God who created the heaven and the earth. Our God is able to help us in all circumstances in life. So, let us trust in the Lord with all our mind, heart and soul. For our God truly is our Deliverer.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, there is no problem too hard for you, no hill too high, no valley too low. Your love for us and your Spirit always remains with us on our journey. Help us to be ever conscious of your presence in our lives, and help us to honor you in all that we say and do. Amen.

Day 81 - March 22, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 116

1  I love the Lord, because he hears me;
    he listens to my prayers.
2 He listens to me
    every time I call to him.
3 The danger of death was all around me;
    the horrors of the grave closed in on me;
    I was filled with fear and anxiety.
4 Then I called to the Lord,
    “I beg you, Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is merciful and good;
    our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord protects the helpless;
    when I was in danger, he saved me.
7 Be confident, my heart,
    because the Lord has been good to me.

8 The Lord saved me from death;
    he stopped my tears
    and kept me from defeat.
9 And so I walk in the presence of the Lord
    in the world of the living.
10 I kept on believing, even when I said,
    “I am completely crushed,”
11 even when I was afraid and said,
    “No one can be trusted.”

12 What can I offer the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?
13 I will bring a wine offering to the Lord,
    to thank him for saving me.
14 In the assembly of all his people
    I will give him what I have promised.

15 How painful it is to the Lord
    when one of his people dies!
16 I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did.
You have saved me from death.
17 I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and offer my prayer to you.
18-19 In the assembly of all your people,
    in the sanctuary of your Temple in Jerusalem,
    I will give you what I have promised.

Praise the Lord!

Observation:

The psalmist expresses his continual faith in the Lord who has helped in multiple circumstances in life. He writes: “The Lord is merciful and good; our God is compassionate. The Lord protects the helpless; when I was in danger, he saved me. Be confident, my heart, because the Lord has been good to me.” (Psalm 116:5-7)

Application:

One of the best ways to praise the Lord is to remember his mercy and goodness to us in past circumstances. When you really think about it, the great celebrations in faith are acts of remembrance like the Passover, like Communion, where we remember and are grateful to our God. The psalmist’s faith is fortified when he remembers God’s deliverance in his own circumstances of life. His appropriate response to God’s mercy is to bring an offering and proclaim God’s acts of compassion in the midst of the assembly. Our blessings are not for us alone but should be shared so that others might hear and know of God’s amazing love and provision.

Prayer:

Lord God, we remember your hand of grace and your ever-present help in times of testing and trouble. Thank you for the faith that you have given us and help us to increase our faith in you as we remember every act of provision, mercy, and love. We are especially thankful for our salvation in your Son, our Lord and Redeemer. help us to always remember you and your presence in our lives through your Holy Spirit. Help us to live a life of praising you on a continual basis that others might know of your amazing love and grace. Amen!

Day 80 - March 21, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 115

1 To you alone, O Lord, to you alone,
    and not to us, must glory be given
    because of your constant love and faithfulness.

2 Why should the nations ask us,
    “Where is your God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
    he does whatever he wishes.
4 Their gods are made of silver and gold,
    formed by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    and eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    and noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
    and feet, but cannot walk;
    they cannot make a sound.
8 May all who made them and who trust in them
    become like the idols they have made.

9 Trust in the Lord, you people of Israel.
    He helps you and protects you.
10 Trust in the Lord, you priests of God.
    He helps you and protects you.
11 Trust in the Lord, all you that worship him.
    He helps you and protects you.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us;
    he will bless the people of Israel
    and all the priests of God.
13 He will bless everyone who honors him,
    the great and the small alike.

14 May the Lord give you children—
    you and your descendants!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

16 Heaven belongs to the Lord alone,
    but he gave the earth to us humans.
17 The Lord is not praised by the dead,
    by any who go down to the land of silence.
18 But we, the living, will give thanks to him
    now and forever.

Praise the Lord!

Observation:

In Psalm 115 the psalmist makes a contrast between the One True God and gods (idols) created by people. He writes that their gods have eyes yet cannot see, ears yet cannot hear, and mouths yet cannot speak. He encourages us to worship only the One God saying: “Trust in the Lord, all you that worship him. He helps you and protects you. the Lord remembers us and will bless us…. He will bless everyone who honors him, the great and the small alike.” (Psalm 115:11-13)

Application:

Although we cannot see God, we worship God who is seen in all of God’s creation. We can experience our God through the Bible and through every believer who trust in him. As forgiven and reconciled children of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit that seals us for our inheritance with God. We experience God through the Holy Spirit in ourselves as we trust in God and believe in Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord God, you are the one true God. You have promised us to never leave us or forsake us. We know that we can rest and trust in you for You alone are God and there is no other. Help us to experience you through eyes of faith and help us to follow your son Jesus that we may honor you with ur daily lives. Amen.

Day 79 - March 20, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 102

1 Listen to my prayer, O Lord,
    and hear my cry for help!
2 When I am in trouble,
    don't turn away from me!
Listen to me,
    and answer me quickly when I call!

3 My life is disappearing like smoke;
    my body is burning like fire.
4 I am beaten down like dry grass;
    I have lost my desire for food.
5 I groan aloud;
    I am nothing but skin and bones.
6 I am like a wild bird in the desert,
    like an owl in abandoned ruins.
7 I lie awake;
    I am like a lonely bird on a housetop.
8 All day long my enemies insult me;
    those who mock me use my name in cursing.

9-10 Because of your anger and fury,
    ashes are my food,
    and my tears are mixed with my drink.
You picked me up and threw me away.
11 My life is like the evening shadows;
    I am like dry grass.

12 But you, O Lord, are king forever;
    all generations will remember you.
13 You will rise and take pity on Zion;
    the time has come to have mercy on her;
    this is the right time.
14 Your servants love her,
    even though she is destroyed;
they have pity on her,
    even though she is in ruins.

15 The nations will fear the Lord;
    all the kings of the earth will fear his power.
16 When the Lord rebuilds Zion,
    he will reveal his greatness.
17 He will hear his forsaken people
    and listen to their prayer.

18 Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done,
    so that people not yet born will praise him.
19 The Lord looked down from his holy place on high,
    he looked down from heaven to earth.
20 He heard the groans of prisoners
    and set free those who were condemned to die.
21 And so his name will be proclaimed in Zion,
    and he will be praised in Jerusalem
22     when nations and kingdoms come together
    and worship the Lord.

23 The Lord has made me weak while I am still young;
    he has shortened my life.
24 O God, do not take me away now
    before I grow old.

O Lord, you live forever;
25 long ago you created the earth,
    and with your own hands you made the heavens.
26 They will disappear, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like clothes.
You will discard them like clothes,
    and they will vanish.
27 But you are always the same,
    and your life never ends.
28 Our children will live in safety,
    and under your protection
    their descendants will be secure.

Observation:

The psalmist cries out to the Lord in desperation, he looks to God not only to answer his prayer but to do it quickly. He writes: “Listen to my prayer, O Lord, and hear my cry for help!  When I am in trouble, don't turn away from me! Listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call!” (Psalm 102:1-2) Don’ t we all want God to hear our prayers and answer them quickly? Yet the psalmist also realizes that he is but a whisper while God is Creator God who lives forever.

Application:

Knowing that God is Creator God, we should approach his Throne of Grace with the understanding that even to pray to God, to have the life and breath that God created in us, is a miracle in itself. To have the brain God gave us to acknowledge God in the heavenlies is remarkable.

Therefore, when we approach our God in prayer, it is helpful to understand our place in respect to our Holy Lord. We should be humble and contrite as we pray expectantly. But as the psalmist states, our God is a God who hears our prayers. He writes: “The Lord looked down from his holy place on high, he looked down from heaven to earth. He heard the groans of prisoners and set free those who were condemned to die.” (Psalm 102:19-20) Our God hears our prayers. So pray.

Prayer:

Lord, we approach your Throne of Grace today, knowing that we are all unworthy of your love. Yet, you sent your son Jesus to earth to set the captives free from a life of sin and death. The victory is already ours in your salvation. Help us to have an eternal perspective of your answered prayer. Help us to realize that you have already set us free and therefore we should live in to that freedom with love and grace for the orhers in our lives that they may come to know and to love you as Redeemer God. Amen.