Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

“Celebrate the Risen Lord!”

Happy Easter!  It’s been a long 2025 Lenten Season, but we’ve finally completed all of our Challenges!  

Of course, that’s an assumption!  It would be silly to assume that everyone has completed 46 Lenten Challenges this year, but that’s the reason we do it in the first place.  We try to discover a variety of ways to give thanks to God for blessing us with an opportunity to claim Jesus as our Savior and receive Eternal Life.

Maybe that’s a little cliché, but this year, maybe not.  Much has changed in our lives since last Easter.  The world looks different to everyone, and not just because of the extreme difficulties that so many of us have faced.  We don’t have to pretend this last year was easy.  It was not easy or simple, and many of us still see daily reminders of what we’ve experienced.

God’s plan in the world is much too big for us to understand fully.  However, we do know that God’s plan includes blessings for all people.  The biggest of these is the promise of Heaven for those who believe, and, as we’ve already inferred, God’s promise of Eternal Life may be the reason we were able to overcome so much.

Yes, we had lots of help.  People came to our rescue when we needed it.  Others are still showing up on our doorstep with offers to help, which stands as further evidence that God’s presence in the world today is real.

This Easter, take a few moments to give glory to God.  Give the LORD a great big “Thank You” and ask God for a better 2025.  It’s not selfish to ask.  In fact, God wants us to ask because it displays great faith and humility, as we recognize that we can’t do it alone.  

It’s Easter!  The LORD has risen, and abundant life is ahead!  Celebrate the Risen LORD and give God a big shout of thanks!  

“Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:  “Praise the Lord!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him.”  (Revelation 19:6-7a, NLT)

 Lent Day 46, Saturday, April 19, 2025

“30 Minutes Alone in Silence”

As we work towards the conclusion of the 2025 Lenten Season, we are tasked to observe at least 30 minutes alone in silence.  The purpose of this Lenten Challenge is to honor the time that Jesus’ body lay in the tomb following his crucifixion.

Today is often referred to as Holy Saturday, and it will be observed in many ways.  Christians around the world will remember this day with many traditions, including fasting, prayer, and limited activities.  It seems only fit that we do something to reflect upon this terrible time of sorrow experienced by the world after Jesus’ tomb was closed.  A few moments of silence today will be more significant than one might think, so please don’t shun away from this one.

What was it like in Jerusalem that day, 2,000 years ago?  Did the birds still sing?  Did the grass continue to grow?  Did the tides change?  Were the skies overcast and cloudy or clear and bright?  Most of the people in Jerusalem probably continued to live their lives as normally, but did they notice something different?  If so, what did they experience?

These kinds of things swirl in my mind, but if I knew the answers, my life wouldn’t change.  I’d continue to live as normal, with a few additional details added to my understanding.  The real changes experienced through Easter have little to do with the weather but everything to do with my own relationship with God.  I need to do better.  I need to try harder.  God did His part.  Now, it’s time for me to do mine.

What about you?  What will you do in your 30 minutes of silence today?  Spend some time today with the LORD and experience something special, helpful, and hopeful.  

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  (Psalm 46:10a)

 Lent Day 45, Friday, April 18, 2025

“24-Hour Fast”

It’s back, bigger and bolder than ever!  Well, not really.  The 24-hour total fast appears twice each year during our Lenten Challenges.  Today, Good Friday, is the second complete fast this year.  All drinks are okay today, but no food for 24 hours. 

Why are we fasting for a second time this year?  Three reasons: First, a total fast during Lent is a regular part of spiritual practice throughout the world.  This is not unusual at all.  Second, it’s Good Friday, and if Christians are going to practice a day of fasting, this is the day to choose.  Honor God by reflecting on what God did for us on Good Friday.  Third, since we tried this Challenge last week, we get another shot at it.  If we were successful last week, we know we can do it again.  If we didn’t succeed last week, we get another chance.

Remember, the goal in this Lenten Challenge is not to eat for 24 hours.  If you’re lucky, you haven’t eaten anything yet today.  Just count backward to your last food consumption and begin counting from that point.  See?  You’re almost home. 

Of course, this author is aware of a trick.  On whatever day you wish to start this Challenge, eat your final meal early so that you can have a full dinner the next evening.  For example, if you eat dinner early on Thursday evening, like 5 pm, then by Friday evening at 5:01 pm, you are finished with your fast and can eat what you want!

You can do this.  One person informed me that she had never tried this.   When she saw the devotion for last Friday, she decided to try the total fast for 24 hours.  She never thought she would be successful, but guess what?  She did it!  I wish you could have seen her face while she told me this story.  It still makes me feel good to know how happy she was to accomplish something so easily.

However, keep this in mind:  If your doctor would not approve of you fasting for 24 hours, then don’t!  Follow the doctor’s instructions.  Eat an apple and have a great day, praying for one hour instead!

We can do this. God made a great commitment to us, and we can commit ourselves to focus on the LORD today. 

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”  (Proverbs 16:3, CEB)

 Lent Day 44, Thursday, April 17, 2025

“Enjoy (or Plan) a Meal with a Friend”

This last week of Lent 2025, or “Holy Week” as it is typically called, we have focused on accomplishing tasks that are primarily focused on others.  In reference to Maundy Thursday, the day that Jesus celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the Disciples, our task today is to enjoy a meal (or plan a date) with a friend.    

The manner by which we accomplish today's Lenten Challenge is open-ended.  There might be several reasons we are not in a position to enjoy the meal today.  However, as an alternative, we can simply plan it with someone at some point in the near future.  The purpose of this Challenge is not to share the meal today (although it would be cool since it’s Maundy Thursday).  Instead, the purpose is to bless someone with your presence. 

This might sound like a strange Challenge, but it’s really important.  In nearly every culture, sharing a meal is a big deal.  Think about it: Inviting someone to a meal is an offering and compliment to someone else’s self-worth.  It tells the other person that they are important and valued, in addition to offering them an opportunity to develop a friendship.  Asking someone for a date helps them to feel special, indeed.

We need more togetherness.  We learned the importance of it several years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is not healthy for us to spend our lives alone.  Oh, I get it.  We can do life by ourselves, but together is much, much better.

Enjoy (or plan) a meal with a friend or loved one! 

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[a] and ate their food with glad and generous[b] hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”  (Acts 2:46-47, NRSVue)

 Lent Day 43, Wednesday, April 16, 2025

“Listen More; Talk Less”

That sounds like a poorly scripted phone commercial, doesn’t it?  I’m sure someone used it at some point before they realized that not being able to talk back would not help to sell more phones.  However, it would certainly help sell more radio and podcast advertising, wouldn’t it?  

Come to think of it, listening without being able to verbally respond has been a way of life for the human race for thousands of years.  Moses probably didn’t get any feedback when he delivered the 10 Commandments from the mountain, nor did anyone likely interrupt Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount.  It’s probably not likely that someone interrupted Abraham Lincoln when he delivered the Gettysburg Address, and the entire country was listening when Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his “Day of Infamy” Speech.

What do we enjoy hearing?  Do we like listening to programs, podcasts, or broadcast and streaming stations?  Have we considered applying those same listening skills to our conversations with other people?  What if we just listened to someone else?  Is it even possible for us to let them speak and express themselves without us interrupting, correcting, or, even worse, silencing them?

Oh boy, today’s Lenten Challenge is loaded with opportunities and potholes, so make sure to pay attention.  Try to make it a full 24 hours focused on listening more and talking less!

“To answer before listening—That is folly and shame.”  (Proverbs 18:13, NIV)

Lent Day 42, Tuesday, April 15, 2025

“Pray About Stewardship to Your Church”

Since our dreaded tax day has arrived during Holy Week, it seems only fit to consider our stewardship to God’s Church.  Are we doing what we can, or are we doing what we should?

The words “Should” and “Can” are important because there’s a big difference between the two.  Some of us give what we are supposed to give to the Church, no matter what.  That law, written on our hearts, is a spiritual discipline.  It is strong, powerful, and useful.  It’s very important and sets an example that others can recognize and understand.

Others of us give what we CAN to give to the Church.  This is different from the above because it represents our capability and potential rather than an expectation.  For example, the ideal in scripture is to give 10% of our income to the Church.  Are we able to do that?  If not, what can we give?

Then, there are those who always give what they “Should” give and then add on what they “Can” give.  In other words, they’re always giving their 10%, but when more is available, they give more.  When the additional is not available, they still give their 10%.

These above examples of what “Should” and “Can” give are important benchmarks.  Less than 2% of church attendees give what they should.  Much less give what they can.  Shall I be more specific?  The average church attendee gives $17 per week.  For some of us, that’s a lot.  Most of us, however, can easily do more.  We can go to see a film in a theater for that same price (of course, refreshments cost much more).  Maybe we consider a film to be more entertaining, but what can God do with that same amount?

Today’s Lenten Challenge is to spend some time with God regarding our giving to the Church.  Whatever church you call “Home” is yours, but remember that each church also belongs to God.  That’s why we say that we are giving to God when we give to the Church:  It is both ours and God’s, something that God established for us to share together.  I think that’s cool, but even better than that, it’s incredibly powerful.

Look at what God accomplishes for the world with $17 per week.  I wonder…what would God accomplish if I increase that amount to what I should and can give?

“Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”  (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, The Message)

 Lent Day 41, Monday, April 14, 2025

“Conserve Today!”

As Holy Week 2025 arrives, we encounter a different kind of Lenten Challenge.  Today’s task is to conserve everything we possibly can.

What does this mean in the context of our Lenten Challenge?  It’s simple:  Don’t create any unnecessary waste today.  Paper, wrappers, boxes, and tin foil are all items that we can recycle.  This is included in our conservation.

Fresh water should also be high on our list of conservation today.  Let’s not waste water when we brush our teeth, bathe, or drink.  Let’s not waste fresh water unnecessarily while cleaning our dishes or waiting for the hot water to arrive.  Fresh water is a blessing, and we can do our part to conserve it. 

Food is also on our list of things to conserve today.  Most of us recognize that wasting food is a terrible tragedy that can have a far-reaching impact, but today, we’re going to focus on it.  If we eat out, we don’t order more than we can consume or save for later.  If we cook at home, we should focus on the same thing by not preparing so much food that we’ll be throwing any of it out.

Sure, coffee grounds aren’t so easy to conserve.  Neither are eggshells, peanut hulls, or fish bones.  But guess what?  They can be recycled into compost.  Dig a hole, drop it in, and cover it up.  Done.

We can drive slower to conserve fuel (or ride a bike instead).  We can turn off lights, TVs, and electronic devices when we leave our rooms, homes, and businesses.  We can adjust our thermostats and use ceiling fans to help conserve electricity, and we can do plenty of other things if we think about it.

The purpose of Conservation is to protect this wonderful world that God created.  God relies upon us to take care of it as best we can.  We already recognize that we must take care of the planet for ourselves and future generations, but today, we should be intentional in doing our part.

Conserve.  Recycle.  Repurpose.  It all counts today, but it counts even more tomorrow!

“God named the dry land Earth, and he named the gathered waters Seas. God saw how good it was.  God said, “Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth.” And that’s what happened.  The earth produced plant life: plants yielding seeds, each according to its kind, and trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was.”  (Genesis 1:10-12, CEB)

 Lent Day 40, Sunday, April 13, 2025

“Invite Someone to Church”

Today’s Challenge is perfect for this Lenten Season!  Our Challenge is to invite someone to church.

There are no restrictions to this Challenge.  As long as you officially invite someone to church, you will have successfully completed the Challenge.  But just in case this one sounds a bit odd, let’s consider a few things.

First, inviting someone to church is sort of like inviting someone to become part of a family.  The Church was founded on the principles of caring for one another out of the most sincere desire to help.  

Second, we are supposed to be a part of a church family, and so is everyone else.  Many people can be super faithful and not be involved in a church, but over the last two thousand years, we’ve learned that not being a part of a church family significantly limits one’s ability to understand a much bigger picture.

Third, we are supposed to invite other people to join us.  The Church’s mission is to grow, which means we need the people who do not yet attend.  Doing our part to get those invitations out is imperative for the church to complete its mission.  It’s our responsibility to issue the invitation!  Once we issue the invitation, the rest is between the other person and the LORD.  It’s not our burden to make someone say, “Yes.”

Finally, most people who don’t regularly attend a church will say “Yes” if they are invited by a friend or acquaintance.  The most recent polls show that over 80% of the people who are invited to church by a friend will attend.  That’s some incredible odds in our favor, so I wouldn’t be too worried about getting turned down.  

Now, if they say “Yes” or when they say “Yes”, offer to pick them up.  Or, if that’s not a good option, set a specific time to meet them in the church parking lot.  The fear someone experiences in a new place is real, indeed.  Eliminate it by agreeing to meet them and walk them in, show them the ropes…you get the drift.

Today, invite someone to church!  Churches all over the world will be hosting special worship services all week long, so pick out a few you like and start inviting!

“Then Jesus said to them, 'Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.’ ”  (Matthew 28:10, CEB)

 Lent Day 39, Saturday, April 12, 2025

“Just Say No: No TV, Social Media, Streaming or Video Games”

Holy Smokes!  What Gives?  The reason lots of us are participating in the Lent Challenges this year is that some of the tasks are super easy!  Now, after a 24-hour fast, no TV?

If you’re planning to watch The Master’s, I’m sorry!  The only things allowed today are radio, streaming music, and similar.  So, if you are a golf fan, it looks like you’ll need to tune in by streaming radio for the next 24 hours.  Relax! You’ll get to watch the final day!

For the rest of us, we shouldn’t be heartbroken that we can’t do visual media for 24 hours.  I mean, really...  Just 30 years ago, much of this stuff didn’t exist.  Sure, we had TV, but we could’ve dodged TV for a day, no problem.  But no internet surfing?  No watching my favorite animals do cute things?  That’s right.  Not today.

Fortunately, just about all of us remember the days before smartphones and computers.  It wasn’t that long ago that none of it existed.  In 1994, I received my first cell phone (0.6 watt flip phone).  It cost a small fortune, and the monthly fees were even worse, but I was working for a large international bank that paid for it.  I was the only person I knew who had a cell phone.  I also had a digital pager, but no cell phone texting my friends, as none of them had a phone.  It wasn’t that long ago…

Today should be good for us.  We need to experience other stimulations!  If your work requires the computer, that is fine!  (Just don’t fall for clickbait that lures you to start scrolling tempting websites!)  Calling a friend on the phone would be great.  The radio is fine.  Reading is wonderful. Walking outside is beautiful.  But, for sure, fishing is the best!

Take some time and thank the LORD for all the things we can do!

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display God’s craftsmanship.”  (Psalm 19:1, NLT)

 Lent Day 38, Friday, April 11, 2025

“24-Hour Fast”

Yep!  It’s finally arrived!  This is the first of two 24-hour fasts we will face in our Lenten Challenges this Season.

For those who are new to the whole fasting concept or those who won’t try to fast, please allow for a very brief explanation.  Don’t worry.  I’m not going to provide some inspirational speech that will motivate (or guilt) you into doing something you don’t want to do.  Fasting is something that has been around for thousands of years, and it is practiced by nearly every religion that has ever existed.  Fasting is nothing new to the world, and, in some places, fasting is a part of daily life.

Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is not intended to show us how much weight we need to lose,  nor is it intended to show us how much food we waste every day.  Fasting is not intended to make us hungrier when we break the fast at the end of our 24 hours.  Instead, a one-day fast is intended to show us that we are much more capable of accomplishing something BIG than we might think.

For instance, if you haven’t eaten anything today, then don’t!  No food today.  But guess what?  Drinks are okay.  Whatever drinks you want are just fine, though smoothies would be kinda’ breaking the rules.  So would a cheeseburger in a blender.  Don’t do that.  If you have a special event or meal today and you need to eat, go ahead.  You can start your 24-hour fast after that or just start it tonight after dinner.

Think you can do this?  Can you go 24 hours without eating food?  Now, if the doc says you can’t do this Challenge, don’t!  Use your brain!  If your doctor says you gotta eat, follow the doctor’s orders.  Instead of eating, spend an hour with the LORD today.  Break your hour up into pieces if you want, but give at least 1 of your 24 hours to God today.  For the rest of us, let’s give it a shot.  We can lean on God and focus on the LORD when it gets tough.

You got this.  I got this, too.  But most importantly, God has both of us.  

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  (Matthew 6:16 -18 NIV)

 Lent Day 37, Thursday, April 10, 2025

“Check In With Loved Ones”

It’s time for a wellness check!  Where are your loved ones?  At home?  On the water?  In the woods?  At the beach?

Today’s Lenten Challenge is to make contact with our loved ones.  Phone, text, and email are fine.  The point of this challenge is to get a response from your loved ones so that you know they are safe and well.

Don’t shrug your shoulders.  Maybe you already know they are doing just fine.  You may also know exactly what they’re up to right now, but it never hurts to let someone know that they haven’t been forgotten by their loved ones.

Who is it that needs to be contacted today?  God may have already whispered in your ear to let you know, and if your mind is generating a list of names, write them down so no one is forgotten.  You may be surprised to hear what your special people are up to!

“Care about others as much as you care about yourselves.”  (Philippians 2:4, CEV)

 Lent Day 36, Wednesday, April 9, 2025

“Listen!”

Are you the one in the group who always talks?  Are you the person who always leads the discussion?  Are you overly eager to share your knowledge and experience with everyone?  Do you normally carry the conversation, and do you already know about most of the things that will happen today?

If you can answer “Yes” to any of these questions, then this Challenge for Lent is for you.  Today’s Challenge is to “Listen”.

Today’s Challenge is not a vow of silence.  Instead, today’s Challenge is about paying close attention to our environment.  One of the best ways to learn is to listen.  The more we talk, the less we learn because the only person we can hear is ourselves.  We really need to be better listeners, don’t we?

In our Lenten Challenge today, talking and speaking are fine, especially if our job and vocation require us to do so.   Becoming a good listener is not easy.  It takes lots of practice.  To be good at it, one really must work at it.

We have to train our brains to slow down long enough for our ears to catch up, especially if we are high-energy people.  Since this is how God made us, it’ll be especially difficult, but we must try!  Today’s Challenge is to Listen!  We can do it!

“Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.”  (James 1:19, The Message)

 Lent Day 35, Tuesday, April 8, 2025

“Read (or Listen to) An Extra Devotion”

Today’s Lenten Challenge is an easy one, but it is also a very helpful one.  Today’s task is to “Read (or Listen to) An Extra Devotion”, which simply means that we need to find a devotion (other than this one) and read it or listen to it.  

The reasoning is simple:  More opportunities for absorbing good stuff can only help.  God speaks in many ways, one of which includes the voices and thoughts of others.  Oh, it’s not that people who write devotions are “Holier Than Thou.”  In fact, it may be just the opposite.  Folks who write are likely taking some time to think and pray about a way to help someone else.

It’s really simple.  The devotion I’m writing now is little more than a thought and prayer that began about eight weeks ago as our Lenten calendar was being prepared.  Among the questions I was asking myself was, “Am I doing enough to help ME, let alone someone else?”  One of the things I recognized is that I needed more intentional time exploring God’s Word through other people.  I have lots of friends who write devotions, plus I know plenty of more prominent authors who do the same.  All of them are doing their best to share their own exploration of God’s work in their lives, which is just one more way that God may be using to teach and lead me.

Where will you go for an additional devotion today?  Here are a couple you might find interesting, but you can find your own as well.  I’m sure other folks might be willing to share their favorites in the comments below.

“Jesus replied, ‘But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’ ”  (Luke 11:28, NLT)

  

Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year Podcast

Day 98: Israel Asks for a King — The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

D365 - Daily devotions to read 

https://d365.org/

The Upper Room Daily Devotional

https://www.upperroom.org/

Billy Graham Daily Devotion

https://billygraham.org/devotions/what-makes-christianity-different

Lent Day 34, Monday, April 7, 2025

“Help A Neighbor”

Our Lenten Challenge today is to help a neighbor.  Throughout this Lenten Season, we’ve encountered several Challenges focused on helping other people.  This time, the focus is someone who lives close enough to be considered a neighbor.

The help we provide could be any kind of help, taking any amount of time.  The only requirement is that we pay attention to our neighbors so that we are able to recognize the opportunities to help.  If we don’t pay attention, we may not be able to see how we can help.  So, a big part of this Challenge is simply paying attention.

The Bible is filled with strong suggestions (or even commands) to love our neighbors.  The Bible is also filled with stories and examples of neighbors helping neighbors, to the extent that we are reminded that neighbors are also responsible for each other. Why?  The answer is simple: neighbors are community.  

We work out our lives in community.  We live together, we shop together, we pay taxes together, and we shelter from storms together.  Without neighbors, life can be very challenging, as all of us recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s not take it for granted that we have neighbors around us.  Find a way to help one!

“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Galatians 5:14, NLT)