Where Were You on Easter?

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


“Were you there when
they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me
to tremble, tremble, tremble.”
African-American Spiritual


I’m in my 8th decade of Easter celebrations. It’s tempting to take the crucifixion and resurrection for granted. I’ve been through Holy Week so many times, it seems ho-hum. Sometimes that attitude causes me to tremble.

 

Good morning, Lord. Your death and resurrection … it’s the most significant series of events since creation. Easter should be a drop-to-my-knees-in-awe occasion. Instead, I get caught up in the details of colored eggs, flowers and a fancy meal. Forgive me. Renew my spirit of astonishment, fill my soul with gratitude and joy.

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Holy Week — Recognize

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Mark 15:39 (MEV)
When the centurion who stood facing Him saw that He cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly, this Man was the Son of God.”

The Roman soldier overseeing the crucifixion recognized who Jesus was.

 


Good morning, Lord. On Good Friday I am acutely aware that You suffered and died for my sake. At other times, I’m sorry to say, it slips my mind. I take the cross for granted, forgive me. I want to focus on life, not death — and yet, I recognize how much You sacrificed, O God, for my sake. All that I am and have, I owe to You.

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Holy Week — Remember

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Right before His crucifixion, Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. They remembered how God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Today, Christians remember this last supper and the words of Jesus.

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for all the events of Holy Week, all the love You showed, the pain You suffered, the faith You inspired. May I live my life — every day — in remembrance of You, Your sacrifice, Your power and Your love.

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Holy Week — Reconnect

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Just a few days before His crucifixion, Jesus went to the temple.

 


Matthew 21:13 (NIV)
“It is written,” he said to them [those who were conducting business inside], “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'”

God’s sanctuary is a house of prayer, a place where believers connect with God through prayer — individually and corporately. Lent is an ideal time to connect with like-minded Christians, and all together reconnect with God.


Good morning, Lord. I will be meeting with fellow believers this Holy Week. May all of us feel the connection that comes via our unity in faith, may we indeed be one in Christ. As we gather to praise and pray, draw us — individually and collectively — closer to You.

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Holy Week – Read

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMPC)
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

Reading the Bible is always important, but never more important than this last week of Lent. Read the accounts leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection, re-read them, study them, take them to heart.

 

Good morning, Lord. I have heard and read the Scriptures describing the week of Your crucifixion many times. These accounts are never dull or boring. Like Your compassion and love, they are new every morning (Lamentation 3:23). May I give them the attention they deserve, this week and always, amen.

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Holy Week — Rejoice

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The final countdown to Easter begins. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, when we remember Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. The people joyously welcomed him.

 

John 12:13 (NIV)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

 

Good morning, Lord. Holy week is hard for me, and I wasn’t the one who lived it. The honor, the betrayal, the fellowship, the disappointment, the joy and the sorrow — so much emotion and contradiction packed into a few days. What are the lessons You have for me this year? Open my ears, my eyes, my mind and my heart. 

 

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Recommitment to Our First Love

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Revelation 2:4 (NASB)
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

 

Does this powerful statement from Revelation apply to me?
To you?

 


Good morning, Lord. There are hours, days and seasons when I operate on autopilot. During those times, I forget that You are my first love, forgive me. Rekindle that love and wrap it with perseverance. I commit this day to You — grant me the wisdom to serve You well.

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Recommitted to Service

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
But if you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey. Will it be the gods of your ancestors beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites here in this land? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Service isn’t a one-time commitment. It’s a day-by-day, moment-by-moment commitment.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. You died for me, I live for You. I chose to serve You yesterday. I choose to serve You today. I will choose to serve You tomorrow.  Help me be as faithful to You as You have been to me.

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Recommitment to God’s Kingdom

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Matthew 6:33 (EXB)
Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and what God wants [his righteousness]. Then all your other needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you].

Where’s my focus? What are my priorities?

 

Good morning, Lord. It’s easy to let my to-do list order my priorities — I focus on tasks of little consequence and miss the eternal picture. The routine items like dusting and laundry must be done, of course, but not at the expense of (or instead of) deeds that carry spiritual impact. Teach me to study Your Word, pray, connect with others and do good in Your name, amen.

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Recommitment to the Son of God

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
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.

Is my commitment to Christ changing … for the better?

 

Good morning, Lord. You gave Your life for me, I should commit every moment of every day to You. And yet, I often seek my comfort above Your will. Forgive my selfishness and forgetfulness. Show me the way to go, the actions to take, the words to say. Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake (Psalm 23:3), amen.

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