Month: March 2026

The Widow’s Mite – A Holy Tuesday Devotion

Scripture – While Jesus was in the Temple, He watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:1-3)

Devotion: On Holy Tuesday, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem to teach and engage with the people. During this time, He addressed various people, including the religious leaders, challenging their authority and highlighting the importance of sincere faith and righteousness. Jesus also used this opportunity to convey parables and teachings about the kingdom of God, emphasizing such themes as justice, humility, and true devotion. His presence in the temple underscored His role as a teacher and prophet, preparing the way for the events that would unfold later in the week. 

As we reflect on the happenings and teachings of Jesus on Holy Tuesday, we are invited to reflect on the nature of true worship, as demonstrated by the widow’s humble offering. Her actions teach us valuable lessons about sacrifice, sincerity, and true devotion to God. The widow gave all she had, illustrating that worship is not about the size of our gift, but about the heart with which it is given. Her act of worship was one of deep trust and adoration, reminding us to consider not simply what we offer, but how and why we offer it to the Lord. 

Reflection Questions:

  1. What are some ways we can offer our resources and talents as forms of worship, regardless of their size?
  2. How does the widow’s example challenge us to reconsider what true sacrifice and devotion is really about?
  3. In what areas of our lives can we put more trust and reliance on God, much like the widow did?

Prayer – Lord, thank You for the powerful example of the widow’s faith and devotion. Help us today to understand that true worship comes from the heart and that our offerings, no matter how small, are significant when given in sincerity and love. Guide us to be more sacrificial in our daily lives, trusting in Your provision and grace. Teach us to give generously, knowing that our acts of worship are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Followup Worship Activity – In your journal or on a piece of paper, make a list of several ways God has provided for you throughout your life. Then, write out a prayer of worship, thanking God for His provision and declaring that you put your faith and hope in Him.

*This devotion was originally written for “The Week that Changed Everything” Holy Week Devotional for Celebration Church in New Orleans. The full devotional is available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

**Image courtesy of Europeana

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Difference Makers, Holy Week and Easter, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Cleansing Your Temple – A Holy Monday Devotion

Scripture – The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard Him say it. 

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:12-17)

Devotion – In the scripture above, we read about Jesus cursing the fig tree and cleansing the Temple. The fig tree, with its leaves blossoming but having no fruit, symbolizes a life filled with appearances but lacking substance. Likewise, Jesus finds the Temple bustling with commerce, distracting worshipers from its true purpose – prayer and worship of God. 

Holy Monday invites us to reflect on the areas of our own lives that may resemble the fig tree or the Temple. Are there aspects where we present a thriving appearance but are lacking genuine spiritual fruit? Are there distractions or clutter in our lives preventing us from focusing on God? 

Reflection Questions:

  1. Are there habits or behaviors in our lives that look fruitful from the outside but aren’t producing the spiritual fruit they should?
  2. What tables in my heart might Jesus want to overturn to help me refocus on Him?
  3. How can we create personal spaces or routines dedicated to uninterrupted time with God, focusing solely on prayer and reflection?

Prayer – Lord, as we reflect on Holy Monday, give us insight into our own lives. Help us identify areas that need cleansing and renewal, where we might be more focused on appearances than on genuine faith and spiritual growth. Teach us to remove distractions from our lives that keep us from connecting with You. Guide us in cultivating our lives so they bear true spiritual fruit, anchored in Your Word. May our hearts always be temples of prayer and devotion, always seeking Your will and Your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Followup Worship Activity – In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out a prayer of personal dedication to the Lord, expressing your willingness to purge the areas of your own life that need spiritual cleansing.

*This devotion was written for “The Week That Changed Everything,” a Holy Week Devotional for Celebration Church in New Orleans. The entire devotional is available for download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

**Image Courtesy of Nellie Adamyan

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Discipline, Holy Week and Easter, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

WHEN WORSHIP WELCOMES THE KING: A Palm Sunday Sermon Outline

Read Matthew 21:1-11

  • Palm Sunday is when we remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
  • “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.” (Zechariah 9:9)
  • The Triumphal Entry of Jesus wasn’t simply a parade; it was a Masterclass in worship. 
  • To worship Jesus as He deserves, we must cease being spectators in the crowd and become true worshippers of Him. 

Truly Worshiping Jesus Requires: PREPARING FOR HIS PRESENCE

  • “Jesus sent two of them (disciples) on ahead. ‘Go into the village over there,’ He said. ‘As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” (Matthew 21:1-3)
  • Preparing for God’s presence involves finding both corporate and personal places to worship.
  • “When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath…” (Luke 4:16)
  • Jesus’ example of regularly participating in corporate worship should encourage us to do the same. 
  • “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (Luke 5:16)
  • Jesus’ example of preparing for worship should encourage us to create environments where we can experience God’s presence. 
  • Preparing for God’s presence involves confessing our sins and aligning our hearts with His.
  • David – “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” (Psalm 51:10-12)

Truly Worshiping Jesus Requires: PRAISING HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY 

  • Worshiping Jesus requires a genuine expression of devotion that is both physical and verbal.
  • “Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” (Matthew 21:8)
  • The actions of those who welcomed Jesus was an outward demonstration of the condition of their hearts – overflowing with excitement and reverence. 
  • Praising God physically includes different postures – kneeling; bowing our heads; lifting and clapping our hands; etc… 
  • “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
  • Paul – “I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God…” (1 Timothy 2:8)
  • “Come everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!” (Psalm 47:1)
  • Worshiping Jesus also includes praising Him verbally.
  • “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)
  • The praises of those who welcomed Jesus were alive with faith and expectation, and they used their voices to exalt Him. 
  • “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God!” (Psalm 100:1-3)
  • Worshiping Jesus wholeheartedly includes verbal actions like singing, shouting, reading Scripture, acknowledging Him, thanking Him, sharing testimonies about Him, and declaring His worth.
  • “But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your followers for saying things like that!’ He replied, ‘If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!’” (Luke 19:39-40)
  • Jesus is God and He will be praised, one way or another. 
  • “Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Truly Worshiping Jesus Requires: PROCLAIMING HIM AS LORD

  • “The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as He entered. ‘Who is this?’ they asked. And the crowds replied, ‘It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:10-11)
  • Proclaiming Jesus as Lord includes acknowledging Him before others.
  • “Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)
  • When we acknowledge Jesus, we publicly declare who He is and the good news He offers.
  • “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)
  • Proclaiming Jesus as Lord includes identifying with and following Him. 
  • “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
  • Identifying with Jesus means being willing to stand with Him even when it is unpopular or leads to rejection. 
  • Jesus – “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in His glory…” (Luke 9:26)
  • Proclaiming Jesus as Lord includes surrendering our lives to Him daily. 
  • Jesus – “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
  • Surrender is an act of worship – a daily decision to put aside our own desires in order to follow His lead in all we do. 

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.” (Romans 12:1)

*This sermon was originally written for the campuses of Celebration Church in the New Orleans region. Special thanks for consultation with Pastors Dennis Watson and David Ford.

**Image Courtesy of Brooke Lark

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Holy Week and Easter, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Welcome the King – A Palm Sunday Devotion

Scripture – As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” He said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to Him and threw their garments over the colt, and He sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” (Mark 11:1-10)

Devotion – As we reflect on Matthew’s description of Palm Sunday, we are drawn into the vibrant scene of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This moment is filled with anticipation and joy as the crowds gather, waving palm branches and shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David!” Their excitement and hope are palpable, celebrating Jesus as their long awaited Messiah and King.

This passage invites us to consider how we welcome Jesus into our lives. The people of Jerusalem received Him with open arms and hearts, acknowledging His presence with enthusiasm and worship. In the same way, we should open our hearts to Jesus, embracing Him with the same anticipation and joy.

To truly welcome Jesus, it’s essential to cultivate an attitude of openness and readiness. This means setting aside distractions and making room for His influence in our daily lives. It involves recognizing Him as our guiding force and drawing upon His teachings to shape our decisions and actions. We must also welcome Him with our worship and gratitude, acknowledging His love and grace in our lives, and expressing our reverence and appreciation for all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us. Today, let’s strive to be like those in Jerusalem who, with joyful hearts, laid palm branches at His feet, expressing not only their adoration but also their willingness to have Him rule over their lives. 

Reflection Questions:

  1. In what ways can I welcome the Lord more into my life today?
  2. How can I express my joy and gratitude for Jesus every day through my personal worship and spiritual disciplines?
  3. What distractions might I need to set aside to make room for Christ’s influence in my life? 

Prayer – Lord, help me make room for Your presence every day of my life, setting aside distractions and embracing You, Your Word, and Your will for my life. Today, let me honor You with my words and actions, expressing my complete gratitude for Your everlasting love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Followup Worship Activity – Today, as you begin your time of private worship, take a moment to enthusiastically welcome the presence of the Lord.

* Image Courtesy of Brady Leavell

** This devotion is part of the Holy Week Devotional titled “The Week That Changed Everything” by Celebration Church in New Orleans.

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment