Spiritual Vitamin: "But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:48
Reflect: "To betray someone is to be false or disloyal to that person. Consider what it is like to have someone you deeply love betray you by kissing you. Read 1 Timothy 1:15. Mediate on this verse today. Offer a prayer of gratitude that Jesus receives you daily to His side, loving you unconditionally." (Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross, pg. 45)
Spiritual Vitamin: "And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet no as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39
Reflect: Try to imagine the cup the Father holds out to Jesus. Think about the apathy and rebellion of the entire human race of every generation represented in that cup. See the kind of sinfulness you encounter daily in your world- the violence, hatred, immorality, greed, etc. Write a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus that He loved you and that He loved the Father enough to obey. (adapted from Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross, pg. 32
Spiritual Vitamin: "In the Cross God is revealed not as One reigning in calm disdain above all the squalors of earth, but as One who suffers more keenly than the keenest sufferer- "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Oswald Chambers
Reflect: Thank God for being with you today. Mediate on the prophecies of Jesus found in Isaiah 53: 1-3.
Prayer: Dear God, Your Son was Man of Sorrows. You looked sorrow in the face and wept. And though you grieved to the point of death, you did not die. Open my eyes that I might get a glimpse of your eternal sacrifice. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:9-11
Challenge: Read Matthew 21:1-11. Picture yourself there in Jerusalem. What do you hear? What do you see? How do you feel? How do you respond when the crowds answer "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Prayerfully consider what took place on Palm Sunday. How will you respond?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this time to remember Jesus' passion and death. Turn our eyes now to the One who comes in your name. Open our eyes that we might feel what it must have been like to see Jesus coming. We praise You today for your most perfect plan. The sufferings of Jesus are petrifying and hard to read about, yet we're so grateful for his resurrection. Take us there, Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Challenge: Take a moment and reflect on Easter. "The inexpressible depth of God's love towards condemned mankind was demonstrated when He sent the Lord Jesus to be our Savior. It was He who took the punishment for our sin on Calvary's cross." (Knowing Jesus Commentary) There is NOTHING, past or present or future, that can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can snatch us out of our Father's hand. Think about the word "nothing." Nothing can separate us from God's love!
Prayer: Dear God, Even if we turn from You or are unfaithful towards You, You remain faithful to your promises. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Sometimes, I imagine the things that will separate me from You, yet Your word tells me that there is NOTHING that can remove me from my position in Christ Jesus. I celebrate that today. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
Challenge: Anxiety, worry and fear our emotions that many of us live with day in and day out. God literally gives us direction for how to deal with our anxious thoughts. In EVERYTHING, as we pray (with thanksgiving) we let our needs be know to God. What are your needs today that make you anxious? ______. Would you take these needs and let God be a part of each one. Thank Him for helping you.
Prayer: Dear God, I give you my anxious thoughts today. Here they are even though You know them before I share them: ________________. Each one of them is hard to let go of! I dwell on them and it takes me down rabbit trails of more fear and anxiety. God, please help me follow your specific guidance for dealing with my fears/anxieties. Thank you that I can come to You. I'm so grateful for your promise of the peace of God that will come as I do this. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61:1-2
Challenge: David, the writer of this Psalm, was often in trouble. Some thought it came from the time of Absalom's rebellion when he was forced to escape. David understood that God hears all prayer and actively desired a response from God. Figuratively he was at the end of human understanding and strength and resources; there was a real and powerful sense in which this prayer was offered from the end of the earth. David knew that when his heart was overwhelmed, he needed the rock that was stable and secure. He needed a rock higher than himself, a place above himself, above his wisdom and above his abilities. He needed God to lead him to that rock. (David Guzik, Enduring Word) How do you deal with life when you feel overwhelmed? What can you learn from David's response?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for David's prayer in Psalm 61. Please help me know and understand the power of prayer in my life. I too have been at the end of human understanding and strength and resources. It's such a tough place to be in. I desire to go to You, a rock that is higher than I. Lead me to You, the rock. Each day. Every day. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
Challenge: How do we deal with the senseless tragedies that seem to keep happening? We can lament and grieve for the victims' families, the survivors and all who experienced this shooting in Boulder. We can pray for those people today, even if we don't know their names. God hears our prayers. We can't understand how people can commit such evil in their hearts! But, we can stop, right now and pray for those people.
Prayer: Dear God, We pray for all those suffering with grief, loss, despair and absolute disbelief today as a result of another shooting. God, have mercy on us. We pray for those suffering today from having lost a loved one, been in the grocery store or experiencing trauma/flashbacks after hearing about it. God, we ask that you bring a stop to these senseless tragedies. We pray for evil people to be comprehended before they act out. God, heal your people today. Have mercy on us. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgression. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:1-2
Challenge: LaTosha Morrison, in Be the Bridge, states "To lament means to express sorrow or regret. The purpose of lament is to allow us to connect with and grieve the reality of our sin and sufferings. It draws us to repentant connection with God in that suffering. We look around our country today and see a great racial divide. It breaks our hearts. As we lament about this with God, we literally join our hearts with his and grieve the lack of His kingdom justice here on earth. We ask God for help and healing on our land. We ask God how He wants to use us to repair what's been broken."
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much that You are very aware of the strong racial divide in our country today. Your heart breaks as ours does too. As we lament, we know that You mourn with us. Bring justice and hope and healing to our country. Use us, Lord, to make a difference in our country. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come? My help comes form the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will never slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:1-3
Challenge: It's so easy to get our perspective on day to day life through our own lens. The Psalmist in Psalm 121 saw, however, his need to look to God. There was a "lifting up of his eyes." It seemed symbolic of lifting our minds from the here and now to a heavenly perspective. It was there He realized his help came from God. We too can depend upon God for help. What do you need his help on today? Will you trust Him to see you through?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the Psalmist's perspective. He learned to lift his eyes to the hills. Somehow that "lifting of his eyes" helped him to see that his help was from You, O Lord. You, who are the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. You watched over the Psalmist and You watch over me. Thank you so much for this assurance and hope that we can have in your protection both day and night. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Challenge: Humility is a beautiful thing! It's not easy to humble ourselves, but we're promised that when we do, God will lift us up in due time. It goes hand in hand with casting our anxieties on God. It's way too easy to think we can handle our worries and stress on our own. But humility says, "I need to give my cares to God. He will take care of me!" What worries do you need to give God today?
Prayer: Today, I give you these worries: _______________. Forgive me, God, for thinking I can handle them myself. Help me cast all my worries and anxiety on You. Thank You that You care for me and I can trust You with my cares. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
Challenge: This has been a tough week as we are saddened and outraged after a white gunman killed eight people this week, most of Asian descent. God made ALL people in his image. He meant ALL. He loves ALL of us perfectly. Our hearts hurt, grieve and are deeply burdened by the treatment of our Asian brothers and sisters. Would you take a moment and pray for those who are grieving today? Pray for how each of us can make a difference in the racism of our day.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for creating mankind and making each one of us in your image. You love ALL people and you call us to love ALL people. Lord, we pray for those that are grieving today over this horrific act. We pray that You would show each one of us how You could use us to make a difference in our communities. Thank you that God, You are love, and You give us help in loving well. Please, Lord, help us to love like You. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5
Challenge: Many Psalms are prayers. Psalm 25 is a prayer for guidance. David expressed his need for guidance. We are guided often through God's Word. God gives wisdom as we pray and seek Him. When you think of the words "Show me your ways, O God." What is it that you need from God? How would You benefit from His ways?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Psalm 25. You guide me. Period! Forgive me for when I desire to go my own way and plot my own path. Help me to listen to your instruction and help me to be teachable. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
Challenge: What does this verse say we should be slow to do? Slow to speak and slow to become angry? How slow are you to speak? How slow are you to become angry? It's good to take periodic checks on our behavior. Most all of us can improve in our listening. We're more challenged by others that talk over us or interrupt us than we are to our own listening challenges. Pray that God would help you become a better listener.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this good word from James. I long to be quick to listen, to care for that person talking by actively choosing to listen. Lord, listening communicates loving and that's what I long to do. Help me check myself when I try to get a word in to get my point across. Help me not react quickly in anger, but to respond thoughtfully and in love. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5-6
Challenge: It's so easy to "want" more than I have! Contentment is found in finding God to be sufficient in all things. Do you trust that God will take care of you in all matters? If we're not looking to God, we can fall prey to insecurity, looking elsewhere for my needs. Say with confidence: The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Prayer: Lord, I want to have this kind of confidence found in this passage. You ARE my helper and I don't have to be afraid. I don't have to worry about people, what they say or don't say about me. I trust in You. You are the One who will never leave me nor and never forsake me. Ahhh. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin:"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
Challenge: It feels very natural to put ourselves first, doesn't it? Consider how you feel when someone cuts you off on the highway or someone gets the promotion that you feel you deserve. It's very natural to have a high view of self. Yet, this verse calls us to consider others as more important than ourselves. Why not try living like this today, with God's help? Christ is our example!
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the gift of Your Word. It is only through your help that I can live this way. Forgive me for those times when my interests matter way more than others. Forgive me for wanting to be noticed or talking to much and not inquiring of others or just being plain old selfish. Lord, You are the One who shows me a new way to live. I desire to follow in Christ's steps today. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7 and "The beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
Challenge: What sources do you look to for understanding on whom you really are? Do you trust yourself? Your family? Your experience from the past? What other people say about you? Why do we look elsewhere when God is ready and willing to help us understand ourselves? Start today with the Proverbs. Read a Proverb a day corresponding to the day of the month. Proverbs is chock full of wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God.
Prayer: Dear God, I pray that You would give me a deeper understanding of who You are and by understanding You, I begin to understand myself! Give me your wisdom. Give me knowledge of the Holy One. May I have a deeper understanding of You as I study your word. May you solidify my identity as I grow in understanding of You. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good." Psalm 25:6-7
Challenge: Do you know God's goodness? Do you remember God's goodness? As you start this day, would you give thanks for His goodness? Would you stop and look at your life and note the goodnesses of God? Everyday, we experience God's goodness!
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your great mercy and love! You are a good God, always and forever! Lord, I'm reminded of so many ways You have been good to me over the years. I truly am so thankful! Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck in your friend's eye." Matthew 7:4
Challenge: If only the other person would change, right? Most of us, when we have a problem with someone else, want to focus on what the OTHER person did wrong. Yet, Jesus' words are so important for us. We should first focus on our own weaknesses and make the changes we need to make. Once, we deal with the plank in our own eye, we can lovingly remove the speck in someone else's eye. You may feel that someone has wronged you. As hard as what it may feel to be wronged, it is God who avenges and takes care of You. Ask God to help you see the situation clearly. Spend some time with God, asking what you need to change. Trust Him to help you in your particular situation.
Prayer: Dear God, Relationships aren't easy. It's so much easier to see the problems in others than look squarely at my own sin. Lord, teach me what you mean by this verse. Soften my heart and help me want nothing more than to be pleasing to You. Help me see the situation clearly. Trusting in You to see me through in this relationship. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Challenge: Think about this last week. Can you identify some times where you struggled with fear? How about being dismayed? Our God is a personal God and longs to remind you of his nearness and His strength to help you. Will you take a moment and list the fears that grip you? Receive God's promises to meet you in your fears.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that You are a God who is personal and near at the same time. You long for us to interact with You throughout the day. Today, Lord, I give you my fears: ______________. I remember your promises and cling to them today. I release these fears to You. I ask that You would strengthen and help me each day to walk without fear. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:4-5
Challenge: What is God's actions in these verses? What are your actions? Many of God's blessings require our active participation. Will You seek Him? It is then He will answer you and deliver you from your fears. It is when we look to Him, He will give us a radiant face. Why do you still carry shame? The Lord longs for us to come to Him and He removes our shame.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the action of seeking You. I can so easily get distracted seeking other things outside of You, God. But, something happens every time when I seek You. You answer me. You deliver me from all my fears. It's a constant way of living, Lord. Please help me keep on this path, looking to You and seeking You daily. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:20
Challenge: Notice what you say for 24 hours. Think about what you say. Consider your words. Are they edifying? Encouraging? Do you listen well and build others up? Ask the Lord to help you with be one that builds others up, according to their needs.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you, Lord, that You help us become better people. You desire to have us act in love toward other people. So, Lord, please help me as I take a good hard look at my words. How do I treat other people? Are my words edifying to others? Lord, how I need your help! Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin- "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:15-16
Challenge: It is possible that we can allow the peace of Christ rule in our heart? Do you allow the peace of Christ to rule in all your relationships? It seems that an attitude of gratitude is directly connected to whether you are experiencing the peace of God. How is thankfulness and the peace of God connected with you personally?
Prayer: Dear God, this verse is chalk full of a beautiful way of living. You want the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts. Lord, may it be true for me. Also, Lord, I ask for a heart of thankfulness....in everything. I pray that the word of Christ would dwell in me and change me. Lord, even today, would you allow me to meditate on this verse and practically live it out in my daily life? Thank you. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26
Challenge: Isn't it easy to get distracted in our relationship with God? Our minds can be away from God, but God's mind is not far from ours. In fact, He has NEVER stoped praying for us! He is ALWAYS pray for us. So, take a moment and share with God your heart. Thank Him that He never turns His back on you! He is always present and with you!
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the truth of this Scripture. Lord, how I long to carry on conversation with You throughout the day. You are always with me, so what happens that I forget to interact with You? Please help me realize Your Spirit helps me in my weakness and literally always with me. I'm amazed! Thank you! Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
Challenge: What are the old tapes, messages and voices that still remain in your head? Often those messages are not-so-nice comments about yourself. Negative self talk. God wants to help us with those voices. Our negative self talk is often far from true! Take a moment to sit with this passage. Meditate on it. Remember that you are an image bearer of God- wonderfully made.
Prayer: Dear God, Forgive me for those times when I replay over and over the negative self talk in my head. I truly want to think on what is true about me. Thank you for this beautiful passage of scripture and the reminder that I am an image bearer of God- wonderfully made. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "In Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7
Challenge: Grace is God's voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can't earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religious, intellectual, or more effort can gain it because it comes only from God's mercy and love. (Life Application Study Bible, NIV)Do you comprehend God's grace? Are you sensitive to your sin? Ask God to make you sensitive to your sin and grateful for His grace.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this verse! Often, I want to do anything I can to hide from my own sin. Cover it up. Act like it never happened. Deny it. Yet, You want us to understand and know what You did by sending your Son to deal with the problem of sin in this world. Lord, thank you for the riches of your grace. I'm overwhelmed at your forgiveness of my sin. Help me to live in light of your grace and sensitive to my own sin. Help me Lord. I'm so needy of your grace! Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
Challenge: How do you make decisions? How do you know what to do in a specific situation? Did you know that God gives guidance through His word? His word is a light to guide us along the way of life. It shows us the way to go so that we won't stumble as we walk through life. God longs to lead and guide us. We only need ask Him.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Your word being a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. So often, in life, I question what to do in a given situation. I need your word to guide me in decision making. Thank you that You provide guidance. I give You each all the ways I need your guidance today: ___________. I trust that You will show me the way in each situation. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "He is our strength, our shield, our strong tower, our refuge, our hope, our joy, our peace, our all." (taken from Psalm 18:1-3, Colossians 3:11b)
Challenge: God's protection of his people is limitless and can take so many forms! How have you seen God protect you in the past? How do you need His protection in the future? Trust in Him today for all things in your life.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being with me through the most challenging times of my life. Thank you for being with me and protecting me even when I didn't even know it! God, you are always with me and I'm so grateful for that. I'm so thankful for a relationship with You. Help me trust You for where I need your protection going forward. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103: 13-14
Challenge: We hate to admit it, but we are prone to weakness. God designed us to relay on His sufficiency, not our abilities. But, so often, we go through life trying to "do it all on our own." Today, this is a reminder that it's OK to be weak. We don't have to cave in to anxiety or worry when things go south, but remember that God wants us to run to Him! God alone is the Strong One! His name is a Strong tower! (Proverbs 18:10) Ask God to help you respect your limitations in your mind and body and live from His strength.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for being a father who has compassion on his children. You know that we are but dust, but You also designed us to rely on your sufficiency. Help me welcome my weaknesses, knowing that You desire to partner with me and complete me. Help me see the good in walking in dependence on You. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." Proverbs 12:25
Challenge: The word "weighs it down" carries with it the idea of being depressed. The anxiety spoken of is worry mingled with fear. Under the weight of some anticipated calamity, the heart can begin to be bowed down, the thoughts can be consumed, and the perspective can be lost. How have you experienced this during COVID? The text says that a good word can make him glad. A good word can bring hope! As you fill your mind with the truth of Scripture, your mouth will be more ready to be used to bring hope to others. (Speak Healing Words to those who are Depressed, Paul Tautges)
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the truth of your word. It is true...anxiety can weigh our heart's down. Help each of us not cave in to the worries, fears and anxious thoughts that can come our way. Help us remember the power of good words to minister healing grace to those with a burdened heart. Lord, there are people all around me that need words of encouragement. Help me to bring hope and encouragement to those precious ones I meet. Amen.
Spiritual Vitamin: "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:10.
Challenge: Have you done a recent heart check? How is your spiritual heart? The Bible in Proverbs 4:23 says "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life." Did you know that you can can deceive your own heart? We need to be changed at the heart level. It is God that can transform our hearts. He not not only make a bad heart good, but can make a dead heart alive! God alone can change your heart from within. Will you ask Him to change your heart?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for what You have done and continue to do in my life. Open the eyes of my heart. Transform my heart today and in the days ahead. Let me be ready for You to do a great work in me. God, search my heart today! Amen.
