I love this about the bible. It reminds us that the same human issues arise through millennia.

Deuteronomy 22:5
“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
Bible Gateway link: Deuteronomy 22:5 (NKJV)

Have we forgotten who is in charge of the political power in the world? Wow, it makes so much sense put in this perspective. By the way, Jesus declined the offer.

Luke 4:5-6
Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Bible Gateway link: Luke 4:5-6

Today the prophesy quoted by Luke comes true. We can see the salvation of God. He is risen! Alleluia!

Luke 3:5-6
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

After sunrise Easter service at Boca Grande, FL

Bible Gateway link: Luke 3:5-6 (NKJV)

"For your own good." Today we remember Christ dying for us with the promise that He would rise again on the third day. It was for our own good, a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. God keeps His promises.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Bible Gateway link: Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NKJV)

My husband has a saying: "He saw a lot of trouble in his life, and most of it never happened." I have always thought my fretting as a waste of time but basically harmless. I am wrong. Note to self: Pray don't fret.

Psalm 37:8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 37:8 (NKJV)

The true believers did not believe. How can we be expected to? Because we have the Bible. We have the Word in our hands.

Mark 16:10-11

She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Bible Gateway link: Mark 16:10-11 (NKJV)

A stirred up crowd can be putty in the hands of a clever official. God knows this too.

Mark 15:9-14
But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
Bible Gateway link: Mark 15 9-14 (NKJV)

Be honest. I would probably have denied Christ too, just as Peter did. Yet God breaks us all down with sorrow and regret, just in time to use us to His glory.

Mark 14:71
Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
Bible Gateway link: Mark 14:71 (NKJV)

My gratitude is endless that when I desert Christ, He does not desert me. That is love beyond human understanding.

Mark 14:50
Then they all forsook Him and fled.
Bible Gateway link: Mark 14:50 (NKJV)

I am so anxious and worried about the current state of our politics. The Psalm today calms me.

Psalm 34:4-7
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 34:4-7

We have created a gazillion ways to help us be self-dependent. The key to life is to depend on God regardless.

Mark 11:22
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
Bible Gateway link: Mark 11:22 (NKJV)

Alas, we humans are the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. I think how lost I would be without my faith.

Numbers 14:11
Then the Lord said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?
Bible Gateway link: Numbers 14:11

Anything but this! I once thought this was a deal breaker. But the man in red letters looked at me and loved me and has been slowly changing my heart. Anything is possible with God.

Mark 10:21-22
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Bible Gateway link: Mark 10:21-22 (NKJV)

Even in the toughest cases; hopeless, irredeemable, impossibly broken people, this is possible.

Mark 9:27
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
Bible Gateway link: Mark 9:27 (NKJV)

As you wander about in your life yearning for meaning, you might want to ask yourself this red letter question.

Mark 8:21
So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”
Bible Gateway link: Mark 8:21 (NKJV)

Are the distractions so loud that we can't hear? Or do we just not want to listen? What exactly are we avoiding? The message is: "I love you because I created you perfectly."

Psalm 29:3-4
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 29:3-4