MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 27:27-44
Romans 13
Psalm 68
Deuteronomy 22–26

Deuteronomy 22–26
There might be some things in life you want to forget: painful memories, for example. The Israelites might have wanted to forget their years of slavery in Egypt. Moses, however, told them to remember. In Deuteronomy 24:18, 22 Moses told the people to remember their slavery. He didn’t tell them this so they would wallow in self-pity or relive their sadness. Rather, he told them because he didn’t want them to forget how God had saved them. He didn’t want them to forget what God had brought them through. In their lives—and in ours—some things are worth remembering.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 27:45-56
Romans 14
Psalm 69:1-18
Deuteronomy 27–28

Romans 14
Do you know people who like to stir up conflict? Perhaps they don’t realize what they’re doing. Maybe they simply want to feel included in conversation. Or perhaps they battle insecurity and talking about other people makes them feel better about themselves. Sadly, this problem is found within the church as well as outside the church. A Christian might dress up gossip as a “prayer request” but it’s still gossip. And it still divides. This week, in your life and in your speech, make an intentional “effort to do what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19). 

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 27:57-66
Romans 15:1-13
Psalm 69:19-36
Deuteronomy 29–31

Psalm 69:19-36
What pleases the Lord? Sometimes we believe God is pleased with us only when we complete X, Y, and Z on our spiritual to-do list. He is pleased, we assume, when we attend worship, tithe, and read our Bibles. Though these things are important, the most important thing is the condition of our hearts. “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving,” David said in Psalm 69:30, 31. “This will please the Lord more than an ox.” God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than with our spiritual to-do list. 

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:1-10
Romans 15:14-33
Psalm 70
Deuteronomy 32

Matthew 26:57-75
The Bible isn’t just a book. It isn’t a paperweight, a coffee-table decoration, or a Sunday-only accessory. At least, it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be our life. “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life,” Deuteronomy 32:47 reminds us. I wonder how many of us actually treat the Bible like it’s our life, like we need it more than we need our next meal or morning cup of coffee? My guess is, there are far too many of us who leave our Bibles on the shelves to gather dust. Don’t be a Bible-believer who rarely reads the Bible.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:11-20
Romans 16
Psalm 71
Deuteronomy 33–34

Matthew 28:11-20
The religious leaders claimed the disciples stole Jesus’ body while the guards slept. There are many problems with that accusation and the greatest problem was with the disciples themselves. Before Jesus’ resurrection the disciples were terrified. After his resurrection they were bold and even willing to die for Jesus. Why the change? If they had stolen the body, they would know Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. So why would they suddenly be unafraid? Why would they be willing to die for something they knew was a lie? The truth is, they wouldn’t. People don’t die for things they don’t really believe.