From: April 20, 2026
“So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance these cities and pasturelands” (Joshua 21:3 ESV).
Joshua recorded how the people of Israel responded in obedience to the Lord’s command to give the Levites cities out of their inheritance. This command from the Lord was both sacrificial and strategic: Sacrificial in that they were called to give from their portion, and strategic in that the spiritual influence of the Levites was scattered throughout the land. The Levites were distributed so that every tribe would have access to spiritual instruction, worship leadership, and reminders of covenant faithfulness. Though scattered among the tribes, the Levites were also called to gather at the Tabernacle for regular worship, sacrifices, and appointed feasts. In this way, God ensured that His presence and His Word remained central in the life of the nation.
We see in this passage that God’s people were learning to hold their inheritance under His authority and to use it for His purposes. We are reminded that all we have is from the Lord and is meant to serve His mission. Like the Levites, we are called to live among others as a spiritual influence. We are scattered like salt into our communities, workplaces, and neighborhoods so that others might see and know the Lord. Yet we are also called to gather regularly for worship, to be strengthened, instructed, and renewed. We gather for worship and scatter for witness. We gather for power and scatter for proclamation. When we neglect either, we drift from the rhythm of God’s call.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for every blessing You have entrusted to us. Teach us to hold all things under Your authority and to use them for Your glory. Help us to be faithful as we gather for worship and as we scatter for witness. Make us a people who reflect Your truth wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 20, 2025
‘But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?’ (Luke 20:17 ESV).
Jesus spoke these words to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, knowing that they were planning to reject Him. He quoted Psalm 118:22 to show that their rejection of Him was not a surprise to God—it was foretold. Like builders examining a stone and casting it aside, they looked at Jesus and decided He didn’t fit. But God had a different plan. The stone they rejected would become the cornerstone—the foundational piece of an entirely new covenant, namely, the Church.
This Easter, we celebrate the fulfillment of this truth. Jesus, crucified and buried, did not remain in the grave. God raised Him up to life, proving that He is indeed the cornerstone of salvation. In Acts 4:10–12, Peter boldly declared this before the very council that condemned Jesus. He said, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead… This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else.”
The resurrection confirmed what human eyes could not see: Jesus is the foundation of all hope and the only source of salvation.
As we celebrate the resurrection, we’re reminded that God often works through what the world rejects. Jesus was dismissed, mocked, and crucified, but God exalted Him. He is not just a good teacher or moral example—He is the risen Lord and Savior. There is no other name that can save us.
We need to ask ourselves: are we building our lives on Christ, or on something else? Are we fully trusting in the One whom God raised from the dead, or still clinging to our own plans, achievements, or the approval of others? Easter calls us to reset our foundation on Jesus alone. He is the Cornerstone we can trust completely.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we praise You today as our risen Savior and the Cornerstone of our faith. You were rejected by men but raised and honored by God. Thank You for dying in our place and rising again to give us eternal life. Help us to build our lives on You and to trust in You alone for salvation. Make us bold like Peter, to declare that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Today we rejoice in Your victory and rest in Your unshakable foundation. In Your name we pray, amen.
From: April 20, 2024
‘And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”’ (Luke 20:8 ESV).
When the leading priests, teachers and elders interrupted Jesus’ teaching in the Temple to ask the source of His authority, it was actually the source of theirs that came into question. For when He challenged them to answer whether John the Baptist’s authority was from heaven or from man, they balked. The very men that were supposedly set apart to judge whether a prophet was true or false were afraid to give an honest answer because they feared the people who believed in John’s calling from God. So, they lied saying they didn’t know. Their answer revealed their authority, or the lack thereof. For their authority was merely human and dependent on keeping the right people happy.
Jesus’ refusal to answer their question actually revealed that His authority was greater than theirs. He felt no obligation to answer to these people-pleasing hypocrites. So, these so-called leaders scurried away, with the tails of their robes tucked between their legs, back into their darkened rooms where they would plan their next scheme for ridding themselves of Jesus.
Jesus’ authority came from God. As the gospel of John quoted Jesus saying, “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say” (John 12:49-50).
Now Jesus has given authority to us to go and make disciples of all nations. We do not speak on our own behalf, but we speak for Him. Therefore, we know that the words we speak have power to save for those who believe.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. We read it and fill our hearts and minds with it, so that we might obey it and bless others with it. Strengthen us now this day to live as people under the authority of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 20, 2023
“They were not able to catch Him in what He said in public, and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.” (Luke 20:26 NLT).
The Jewish leaders sent spies to entrap Jesus with what they thought was an unanswerable question. They asked Jesus, “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” They had carefully crafted the politically charged question, so that if he answered in the positive, he would offend the Jewish crowds. And if he answered in the negative, he would be charged with a crime against Rome.
Yet, Jesus surprised them by answering their question with his own question, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied, not realizing that Jesus was about to overcome their political trap. “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
They were both amazed and silenced with Christ’s answer to their question. I wonder how many of our carefully thought out, difficult questions for God, will one day be answered in similar fashion. Leaving us, as they were, both amazed and silent?
PRAYER: Lord, we are often filled with doubts and questions. We know that you are not afraid of our questions. Even though some of them are filled with accusations towards You. Forgive us our lack of faith. Help us to understand that which You want us to know. And help us to accept that which is beyond our understanding, trusting that You are both Sovereign and Omniscient. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 20, 2015
All of the promises that God gave the Israelites while in the wilderness were finally realized. The people weren’t always faithful, but God was. What promises of God are you believing during these uncertain times? Do not despair. All of His good promises will come to pass. God’s Word will not fail.