Friday, April 24th
Soon
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

He who is a faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Christians have struggled with this ending to the Bible.  Waiting 2,000 years hardly seems like Jesus meant it when he said he was coming soon.  But the Greek word here often translated “soon” also means “suddenly.”  This fits with the idea of constant readiness that Jesus talks about.  In his parables, servants should be doing their job. Partygoers wait for the groom with their oil ready. Faithful followers put the master’s gifts to work while they wait for the day of accountability.

Anticipating Jesus is not about comparing our calendars, it is about preparing our hearts.  I honestly have no idea if Jesus will come in my lifetime, but if he does, I want to be ready because I am on mission.

Ready doesn’t mean having sold my stuff, it means using it for his work every day. Ready doesn’t mean gathering my children into a shelter and waiting for Jesus, it means releasing them into the world to live like Jesus. Ready doesn’t mean living in fear, it’s living in hope.

Then we can declare with John, “Come Lord Jesus!”

Thursday, April 23rd
He Reigns
By: Sheila Sonon

Revelation 19:6 (NLT): “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

I’ll be honest—every time I try to figure out Revelation, I feel like I just dumped a whole bucket of nuts and bolts out on the workbench. I’m standing there like, “Well… this all belongs together, but I sure don’t see how.” You’ve got angels, trumpets, creatures, crowds shouting, and Jesus riding in like the King of everything. Meanwhile, I’m over here trying to remember if I unplugged my straightening iron an hour into my work day.

Because right in the middle of all that, Scripture gives us something simple: God reigns.

Now here’s where it gets real for everyday life. We’re called to be in the Word daily—learning it, repeating it, carrying it with us like we learned our ABCs. Line by line, verse by verse, it becomes part of how we think and speak. But let’s be honest—just because you can say a verse doesn’t mean you understand it.

God’s Word isn’t just something we store in our heads—it’s something alive that works on our hearts. A verse you learned ten years ago might hit completely different today. Why? Because you’ve changed. You’ve been through more, seen more, carried more. But while your life keeps shifting, God never does.

His truth stays steady, even when our understanding grows.

So yeah—study your Bible. Repeat it. Learn it like second nature. But don’t stop there. Let it sink in. Let it shape you. Let it meet you where you are today—not where you used to be.

At the end of the day, you don’t need to solve every mystery in Revelation or life. You just need to hold onto what’s clear: God is still on the throne. And He always will be.

Wednesday, April 22nd
A Sermon in a Restaurant
By Nicole Goddard

One evening out at dinner, an elderly woman sat at the table beside our family alone. Our 10 month old locked in on her and charmed her with his 3 toothed smile and jibber jabber. She and I exchanged knowing smiles throughout our dinners and when it was time to leave I stopped by her table to say hi before we left.
 
What I thought would be a brief greeting turned into a full conversation. She gushed over my family and told me all the things a mother loves to hear. She had 4 children who were the absolute joy of her life and shared some sweet motherly wisdom. As our conversation wound down, she shared that she had just put her husband with dementia in a nursing home because she was dying from pancreatic cancer.
 
Here’s the thing, she didn’t say this looking for pity nor did she show any signs of fear or sorrow. She said it full of peace and anticipation of heaven. She said it like she was simply going home.
 
Amidst the imagery of our reading in the book of Revelation today, John shared a voice from heaven stated -
 
And they did not love their lives so much
that they were afraid to die.
Revelation 12:11 (The Messiah pg. 468)
 
The fruits of the spirit were on full display in this woman as she approached the end of her life with complete confidence in Christ. She won’t get to pack her husband and family to take with her. Rather she surrendered them in his care and fixed her gaze on heaven. A soul so clearly tethered to Christ that she wasn’t afraid to die.
 
May we be like her as we live out each day a little closer to eternity. 

Tuesday, April 21st
Keep Praying!
By: Pastor Chrissy Cooney

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:3-4 NLT, p. 464 in Messiah)

Among all the apocalyptic images we find in the book of Revelation is this beautiful image of a gold altar and a gold incense burner, and a bowl full of the prayers of the saints. The incense and the prayers mix, and rise up before God.

The altar reminds us of the Lamb who was slain, the Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus.

The incense reminds us of the sweet smelling worship being offered up to the Lord day and night.

And the prayers of the saints… our prayers, gathered together and mixed with the worship, are ascending to the Father.

On the darkest and most terrible days, our prayers are rising to our Heavenly Father. Our imperfect prayers, purified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, mixed with continuous worship, are rising with a pleasant aroma to the very throne room of God. 

Friend, don’t stop praying. Your prayers are not in vain. He hears you. He sees you. He loves you. 

Monday, April 20th
Holy Holy Holy
By: Kaleigh Hoschar

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
Revelation 4:8

The power behind these words…

It wasn’t enough to say “Holy” one time. It was proclaimed three times.

Everytime I hear someone speak this verse outloud I get chills.

It’s unnerving, yet comforting. Alien and knowable. Scribed for us to read yet indescribable. It’s the best my brain can do on a good day to wrap my mind around the mightiness of God proclaimed in this verse.

To imagine, for a minute, being John as he stands there to hear these words spoken… I would have fallen on my face. It’s overwhelming to even get to think about hearing it one day for myself when these events come to fruition.

Speak this out loud whenever you think about it! There is power in them and a reminder of who God was, is and will always be. His sovereignty over your life and how He cares for you.

Friday, April 17th
So Good!
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead.
Revelation 1:17

John was known to be a very close companion of Jesus. . In a letter he refers to Jesus as “one he has looked at and his hands have touched.” He was a part of the inner circle who followed him up the mountain of Transfiguration. He leaned in close and laid his head against Jesus at the last supper. 

As well as he knew Jesus, nothing could prepare him for seeing Christ in his glory. John admits that one glimpse all but took him out!

One songwriter said it this way, “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.”  We constantly balance imagining the human Jesus and the divine Jesus, but I think  we defer a lot in this age to the human Jesus. He is our friend, our compassionate savior, and our humble Messiah. He is born in a manger, welcomes in strangers, and walks with us through dangers.

Still… HE IS GOD! 

As we start into this final book of the Bible, do not lose sight of the greatness of the One who sits above all time, all thrones, all battles, and all created things.  There is no enemy that can best him, no demon that can outsmart him, and no adversary that can survive him.

He is your King- and he is incredible.

Thursday, April 16th
Sanctified… Even in Charlotte Hall
By: Sheila Sonon

2 John 1:2 — “because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever.”

Some days, the truth of Christ feels warm and comforting. Other days… well, other days you get a phone call from your daughter who just left Weis in Charlotte Hall, and she is flaming mad.

Before I could even say hello, she launched into the story:  “Mom! This man ran the stop sign, I had to slam on my brakes, and then he gave me the special one‑finger wave!”

She was furious — and honestly, rightfully so. She didn’t do anything wrong. She blew her horn, he threw attitude, and by the time she called me, she was ready to fight all of St. Mary’s County.

So I did what any mom does: I let her vent. I let her tell her side, get the steam out, and breathe. 

Then I gently said, “Give the man some grace. Maybe he lost a family member today. Maybe he got fired. Maybe he’s carrying something heavy.”

She stopped talking and said, “Mom… why are you always so positive? Even in bad situations.” My answer was simple: Jesus. 

He is the reason I don’t have to match the world’s anger with more anger.  He is the reason I can offer grace even when someone deserves a horn blast and a half.  He is the truth that lives in me — and will be with me forever.

That’s what 2 John reminds us. God’s truth isn’t temporary. It doesn’t depend on traffic, rude strangers, or stop‑sign runners. His truth anchors us when emotions flare, when life feels unfair, and when patience runs thin.

Even on the bad days — I still have Jesus and that truth changes everything.

Wednesday, April 15th
Age is but a Number
By Nicole Goddard

Have you ever looked around our congregation and been in awe of the beauty that the room is full of people in various stages of their faith journey? Hundreds of people in one space with different stories, remarkable encounters and distinct walks with Christ.
 
John was writing to such a varying group of believers in 1 John experiencing turmoil and false influences in the early church. He called out God’s children in general. He acknowledged those mature in the faith. However, it was his acknowledgement of those young in faith that caught my attention:
 
 
I have written to you who are young in the faith
Because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
And you have won your battle with the evil one.
1 John 2:14 (Messiah pg. 442)
 
 
Ohh how tempting it is to just apply the stage of being young in faith to brand new believers. But what the Holy Spirit revealed to me in this verse, is that ‘age is just a number’. Those young in the faith are those that are studying - really studying the word. It’s those actively growing in their faith. They are seeking Jesus in their everyday and fighting their battles in prayer. They wake up each morning ready to take on the day’s spiritual challenges.
 
This isn’t a knock at mature brothers and sisters, but can I go out on a limb and say that sometimes faith can become dormant in someone who has been walking with Christ for a while? I’ll raise my hand in admittance to that.
 
Youth is but a mindset – one still marked with curiosity, wonder and an eagerness to learn. May we maintain a youthful spirit in Christ!

Tuesday, April 14th
Peter and Me
By: Pastor Chrissy Cooney

In the moments before the cross, we find Peter struggling with pride, brokenness, and selfishness. In one moment, he was full of pride, declaring that he would never deny Jesus.

In the next he was hurt when things didn’t go the way he expected. Ready to fight, he was scolded when he cut the soldier’s ear and confused when Jesus submitted to the soldiers arresting Him.

And then he denied his Lord - not once, not twice, but three times. 

I can’t imagine the hurt he must have felt when his expectations crumbled before him. I can’t imagine the guilt he must have felt after denying his Teacher so adamantly.

Wait, yes I can. 

I have felt these same emotions. When I don’t understand God’s plans, when I feel confused or alone and when my self-preservation instincts kick into gear and I’m tempted to act out of selfish motivation. 

If we’re honest, most of us can probably identify with Peter. We have all been caught up in our own pride, doubt, or fear and acted selfishly. 

And yet, the risen Jesus responds with compassion and love. He stands on the shore and cooks the disciples breakfast, and then… calls Peter to ministry. 

“A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17 NLT, p. 437 in Messiah)

This is the God that we serve. Jesus, who loves us while we are sinners, offers us hope and redemption. Despite our own flaws He allows us to partner with Him in serving others. He takes our brokenness and makes us whole. 

What a beautiful Savior!

Monday, April 13th
Oneness
By: Pastor Allison Hand

In John 17 we are given a unique glimpse into a prayer that Jesus prays over future believers (that’s you and me!) just before going to the cross.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

He prays for unity over me and you because he knew division in the Church could easily happen.

And this isn’t just the “getting along” kind of unity. Jesus wasn’t breaking out in song with “Why can’t we be friends.”

But deep unity that reflects the unity between the Father and the Son.  

That kind of unity will cost us something. Choosing humility over pride. Forgiveness over offense. People over preference.

That kind of unity is a powerful message to the world. The world will recognize him through our unity.

Let’s walk away from this today asking “Am I pursuing unity in the Church?” because it clearly mattered to Jesus.

Friday, April 10th
Making Us Right
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

Then the leading priests tried to kill Lazarus too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
-John 11, NLT

Imagine that you were a doubter in Jesus’ day.  You are convinced that he is not legit.  Then you observe him call a dead man out of the grave.  Would you change your mind? Could you admit you had been wrong?

Maybe. Maybe not.  The Pharisees were suddenly staring down a massive miracle, and rather than believe in Jesus, they want to bury the miracle. (There is something ironic about their desire to kill Lazarus, when the guy has already been dead once before- but that is for another day.)

We might stop and wonder “What’s the matter with these guys? Can they not see and believe?” Maybe they just had a hard time admitting they were wrong.  We often struggle with the same thing

Pride causes us to defend ourselves or our positions even when it is unreasonable. Humility is able to say, “I was wrong.” Once we can confess we were wrong- God can make us right.

Let’s soul search.  When was the last time you pulled your wife or your kids or your boss or your friend aside and said, “Forgive me, I was wrong.”  Don’t try to bury the evidence, own it and grow through it.

Thursday, April 9th
Netflix, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and the Book of John
By: Sheila Sonon

Choosing this week’s scripture felt like trying to pick something to watch on Netflix. I’m scrolling, scrolling and suddenly it’s tomorrow. That was me in the book of John. Every verse felt like Jesus was handing me a fresh box of assorted bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes saying, “Here, try this one.” With that kind of sweetness coming at you nonstop, how do you pick just one?

So I prayed. I asked the Holy Spirit to highlight the verse I needed to marinate in and then it hit me: John 8:31–32. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth - not the “I didn’t finish the ice cream” truth. The real truth. The “am I being honest when no one is watching” truth.

Are we truthful at work—coming in late, leaving early, scrolling TikTok on the company Wi‑Fi like it’s a ministry? Are we truthful with ourselves—claiming we “don’t have time” for God but somehow finding time to deep‑clean the car, reorganize the sock drawer, and read 47 Amazon reviews for a water bottle?

We can serve God. We can say yes. But honesty is what gets us to that yes. Honesty with Him. Honesty with ourselves.

Jesus is truth because He shines light on the stuff we’d rather keep shoved in the junk drawer of our hearts. Yes, we will mess up—some of us before our feet even hit the floor. Truth isn’t about never messing up. It’s about walking closely with God through it all.
So this week, lean into honesty—not as a rule, but as the doorway to a real, growing walk with God. We’re all on different paths, different paces, but the same destination.

Wednesday, April 8th
Pushing Past Our Own Boundaries
By Nicole Goddard

“Mom, are aliens real?”

The recent NASA Mission has spurred many space conversations in our household. As my gut reaction rolled the word ‘No’ to the tip of my tongue, I paused and said, “You know what bud, I don’t really know. I haven’t seen any myself… but that doesn’t mean something out there doesn’t exist.”

I don’t know about you, but I have this persistent desire to package up reality in a neat and tidy box full of evidence and experiences that make it impossible to refute. It’s why I want to just dismiss the notion that aliens exist because I haven’t seen compelling evidence of one.

The people interacting with Jesus in today’s passage wanted to do the same. Despite witnessing miracles that would have pushed the boundaries of their understanding, they just could not decide if he was the Messiah or not, wanting to define Jesus based on biological boundaries they knew to be true.

They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother.

How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” John 6:42 (Messiah pg. 410)
These people were clenching so tightly to what was logical and rational that they could not accept what Jesus was offering. They were SO close, just a heart posture away from eternal life and yet they couldn’t see past the lack of evidence before them.

Friends, I encourage us to hold loosely what we perceive as real and to not confine our God to a box. He is capable of more than we can even fathom and even what we know to be reality was created by him. We simply cannot risk what he is freely giving.

Tuesday, April 7th
A Popular Verse
By: Pastor Chrissy Cooney

If you do an internet search for the most memorized Bible verse, can you guess which one pops up at the top of the list? I’m sure you probably can.

It’s John 3:16, of course!

It’s the verse we learn as children, and probably the first verse that comes to mind for most people who are familiar with the Bible in any way at all.

And there’s a reason for that. Because John 3:16 sums up the main point. It is the answer. It’s the Bible verse that explains why everything in the Old Testament and everything in the New Testament points to Jesus.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT, p. 403 in Messiah).

How fitting that we would focus in on this verse right around Easter, when we’re remembering the sacrifice of Jesus for our very own sins, when we remember His death and burial, and when we celebrate His resurrection. Hallelujah!

There is a reason why this verse is so often quoted, memorized, put on bumper stickers and shared out loud. Let’s not grow apathetic to the power it reveals.

Our God – the creator of heaven and earth – loves us.  He loves us so much that He sent His uniquely born son, born of a virgin, fully God and fully human, to die a sinner’s death even though He knew no sin. He did this so we could draw near to the Father, so that we could spend eternity with Him.

What can we do to earn this kind of love? Nothing! We can’t earn it and we will never deserve it.
But we can receive it through Jesus.

Monday, April 6th
Light
By: Kaleigh Hoschar

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 1:6-9

You are not the light, but simply a witness to tell about the light.

I think sometimes we can get so caught up in responsibility that it cripples our ability to be humble.

There is something about a platform that can lead the best of people into the worst state of arrogance. Whether that platform is lit up by lights or by a computer screen or anything in between, we can easily find ourselves entranced like a moth to a flame.

Even those the Lord has sent (and if you’re saved your sent) fall trap to the nauseating limelight at times.

So what do we do?

We remember who the light is (Spoiler Alert: It’s Jesus).
We remember to show HIS light to others. 
We humble ourselves and serve the widow, the orphan, the poor and the immigrant.
We tell people about Jesus.
We ask Jesus to make us vessels! 
We invite the Lord into our marriages, our friendships, our homes, our jobs.
We ask God to change who we are on the inside so that when we witness to people on the outside….

All. They. See. Is. Him.

Friday, April 3rd
Indeed!
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:1 NLT

This simple introduction statement to this letter is easily overlooked but it may be one of the more astounding proofs of the resurrection in all the Bible.  Track with me:

First, we know that James- Jesus’ biological brother- was far from enamored with him during the three years of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  We know that he, along with his siblings, claimed that Jesus might have lost his mind, and we also know he was deeply insulted by Jesus when he said that his followers were the most important family he had.

Second, many of us have siblings and we understand rivalry, misunderstandings and the challenges of growing up together. That had to be true for James as well. Yet we get to this writing and he now refers to himself as someone bound to Jesus - his servant or slave. He refers to Jesus as Christ - his king.  What would it take for you to declare your big brother your Lord and savior?  Nothing short of a miracle.

We actually know what that miracle was.  Paul tells us: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared… to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (I Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV)

Among the many (and there are many) proofs of the resurrection, add this.  Jesus’ own brother, James, came to see Jesus as his Lord.  This is powerful personal testimony to what we are celebrating all weekend.  That Jesus Christ is risen indeed!

Thursday, April 2nd
When Holy Week Meets Real Life
By: Sheila Sonon

As I move through Holy Week, I feel the weight of my own trials pressing in. I feel like a modern-day Job—singled out at work, blamed for things I didn’t do, and facing the fear that my livelihood could be taken from me. My boss, who doesn’t share my faith, sometimes feels like a Pontius Pilate figure in my story—holding power, making decisions without seeing the truth of who I am.

And yet, who am I to have the audacity to focus on my suffering during Holy Week? I’m writing this devotional for Holy Thursday—the very day Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of one who would betray Him. One of His enemies. One He knew would hand Him over. What right do I have to complain when Jesus willingly washed the feet of the kind of person I work with—the one who treats me unfairly and shows no regard for human decency?

Then I remember the promise from Hebrews: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Jesus lived that promise on this night. He walked into betrayal, false accusations, and injustice with a peace rooted not in circumstances but in the Father’s presence.

I remind myself: I am not Job, left alone in suffering. I am a disciple at the table with Christ. He sees every injustice I face. He knows every fear I carry. He understands what it feels like to be treated unfairly by those in authority. He is not distant from my workplace or my anxiety. He is beside me in every meeting, every accusation, every unknown.

Holy Thursday anchors me. If Jesus did not abandon His own in their darkest hour, He will not abandon me now. He will not fail me. He will not abandon me.

Wednesday, April 1st
Holy Spirit Activate
By Nicole Goddard

One of the most challenging things Christians face is how they handle a hard day. Workdays that make you want to quit, a long day of children fighting, receiving tough news, facing a scary situation, you name it – these are the days we have to work REALLY hard to live for Christ.

My gut reaction to tough days is typically full of anxiety, anger, fear and I’m often filled with the overwhelming awareness that I can’t figure it out on my own.

I can’t remember where I picked it up, but I’ve started saying or thinking, “Holy Spirit Activate” over and over during times like these. What started out as silly and cute, has become my go to phrase when I feel like my flesh is going to take over.
A verse in today’s reading revealed I may not be the only one that has needed the Holy Spirit:

For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:14 (Messiah pg. 378)

Read that again - Christ went to the cross BY the power of the Holy Spirit.
The human side of Jesus did not carry him to the cross. We saw this in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus sweated blood and pleaded with God to let this cup pass from him. Jesus himself needed the Holy Spirit activated to strengthen him, to refocus him and to enable his obedience to press forward. He needed the Holy Spirit to intercede and ensure he fulfilled his divine purpose.

And that very same Spirit that saw Jesus through the resurrection, is within you and me. Don’t let the hard days win.

Tuesday, March 31st
Jesus – our High Priest
By: Pastor Chrissy Cooney

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT, p. 373 in Messiah)

When my girls were teenagers, they used to come to me with things that they wanted me to tell their father on their behalf. If they were hesitant to ask for something, or nervous to reveal something, they would come to me and say, “would you tell dad…?”

This always went well for them. Since I remember what it was like to be a teenage girl, I could sympathize with their cause. Since I am my husband’s wife, I knew the best approach, timing, and posture to approach their father with whatever news it was. I could pave the way for their request.

In some small way, this is how I see Jesus as our High Priest. The high priest in the Old Testament was the intermediary between man and God. He would go before the Presence of God and represent the people. Jesus now does this for us, interceding for us and standing before Almighty God on our behalf. He knows exactly what it’s like to be human and yet He is God. Jesus, as our High Priest, makes a way for us to approach God boldly, running to the mercy seat to receive His grace. In this way, it will go well for us.

Monday, March 30th
Position
By: Kaleigh Hoschar

While we are on the topic of humility… let’s look at a passage in Hebrews today that speaks to positioning.

What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. - Hebrews 2:9-11

The closer we get to Easter the more I think about the position of Jesus. I don’t think it is an accident that this theme of “position” is rampant in our society today. We put so much value in the positions of people in power…

Do we recognize the position one would have to have in order to “taste death”? We only have to look no further than a crown of thorns and an old rugged cross…

Jesus took the lowest, bloodiest, painful, heartwrenching position so that you and I did not have to even lay our eyes on an eternity without God.

That is how much HE loves us. That is why I write this with tears in my eyes and a heart full of gratitude.

HE took it all.
HE said it is finished.
HE has victory over death and sin.

Join me and take the time to see Jesus this Holy Week.
Remembering the position he set himself in for you and I to be free.

Friday, March 27th
As Best You Can
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it as best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. -Matthew 27, NLT

Pilate had been told that there was risk of action by the disciples. Perhaps they would want to create a hoax of a resurrection by robbing the tomb of Jesus’ body. So Pilate took sufficient action to foil human power.

What I love about this expression is the “as best you can” part.  It didn’t matter how heavy the stone was or the headcount of the soldiers.  No one was going to keep Jesus down or closed in. Pilate didn’t realize he was contesting with the power of God. Someone probably should have told Pilate “Your arms are too short to box with God.”

When God determines something is going to happen, there is no man or woman who will stop it. This is why prayer is so important.  We are calling out on God to go into action.  Let your faith arise today as you ask him for the impossible. Then even the devil can do the best he can to stop it, but when God decides to move- it is as good as done!

Thursday, March 26th
Unapologetically His: Giving Jesus What I Have
By: Sheila Sonon

Matthew chapter 26 feels personal to me because I see myself in that woman with the alabaster jar. She walked into a room where she knew she would be judged, talked about, and misunderstood—yet she still chose to give Jesus what she had. When the criticism came, Jesus responded in Matthew 26:10, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

That verse reminds me that what I offer Jesus may not make sense to everyone else—and honestly, it often doesn’t. I’ve been judged for my decisions, how I live, how I worship, what I wear, and how I express my love for Him. There are always going to be voices with opinions but I’ve come to realize something: their approval was never my goal.

I’m being honest, I’ve found myself in the “we do not care” club—a social media wave built on not worrying about what others think. This mindset can seem surface-level, however it’s challenged me to go deeper, it’s not that I don’t care what people think—it’s that I’ve made a decision about whose opinion matters.

I’m not perfect. I don’t always get it right. But my love for Jesus—my adoration, my worship—that’s real. I love Him the way only I know how and what I bring to Him may not look like someone else’s offering, but it comes from a place of reverence, honor, and deep respect.
So yes, I’ve let go of gaining people’s approval. Not out of pride, but out of clarity. The only opinion I truly want to matter in my life is His. Just like that woman, I choose to give what I can, even if it’s misunderstood. Because if Jesus can look at what I offer and call it “beautiful,” then I have accomplished my goal.

Wednesday, March 25th
Glory in the Midfield
By Nicole Goddard

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (Messiah pg. 353)

In recent years, I took up the sport of Polocrosse. Polo-what? Its just as crazy as it sounds – a mix of polo and lacrosse on horseback and it’s an absolute blast! I totally encourage you to look it up!

This sport has three man teams made of a 1, 2 and 3 position with differing responsibilities on the field. 1’s can go in the end zone and score goals, 3’s can go into the opposing end zone and defend the goal and 2’s are a mid-field position. When I first started playing, I quickly caught on that the 1 and 3 were highly desired for their goal winning glory and defensive bragging rights.

Like we see in many team sports, the mid-field positions serve their team. They are creating the openings, carrying the ball and playing defense up and down the field. They may not score the goals or get the most attention from the spectators, but the success of the team often lies on their shoulders.

And that is where my horse and I have found our niche, as a number 2. We love the complexity of protecting our teammates while chasing and carrying the ball to our 1. We are making split second decisions that have a major influence on the play. It’s honestly where all the action is at!

Jesus was a bit like a mid-fielder – selflessly serving, deep in the action and quietly carrying us to the ultimate win. And in his likeness, he is calling you and I to do the same.

Tuesday, March 24th
Servant Leadership
By: Pastor Chrissy Cooney

Just a couple of weeks ago I was sitting at my desk when I received a text from a coworker that one of our volunteers had walked around the entire property and picked up all the trash she could find. No one asked her to do that; she did it out of her own volition. She had a few free moments, and she went out into the cold and walked around picking up the dirty, gross things that had been thrown out of cars, blown around by the wind, or left by our dumpster.

I wanted to run and give her a hug. I wanted to shout my gratitude from the rooftop. I wanted to point to her as an example for the whole team.

I wonder if that’s how God feels about us, when we choose to serve rather than be served. When we do the dirty job, the grunt work, or the work that nobody notices.

We read in Matthew, “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28 NLT, p. 347 in Messiah).

I love how Jesus flips the script. Want to be great in His kingdom? Do the thing that no one else wants to do. Serve!  Leadership isn’t found in how strong, popular, or influential you are. True leadership is found in how Christ-like you are, and Jesus washed feet.

Monday, March 23rd
Sought After
By: Kaleigh Hoschar

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 

In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:12-14

Have you ever lost someone in a grocery store? You look and look and hope that they may just be around the next corner or hiding in the clothes rack. You maybe even call their name out or if you are running out of options you ask an associate to call them over the intercom!

That feeling you have where you need to find that person… 

That is just a fraction of how the Lord feels about you! You are the one in the ninety nine that he is searching for… who he longs to have a relationship with!

You are sought after.
Highly regarded.
Cherished and loved by the creator of the universe!

And that feeling when you find that person… multiply that by infinity and beyond and you might scratch the surface of the joy the Lord has when he finds you!