March 28th, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Monday, March 28
EXTRAVAGANCE by Marilee Medley
Luke 21:1-4
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
Reflection
What would make this woman give everything she had? A tenth of a coin, sure. Maybe one of her two coins. But both coins, knowing that her pockets would be empty? That seems excessive. Maybe irresponsible. Maybe a little crazy.
The Bible doesn’t tell us why, but here’s one idea. The life of a poor widow was grueling and hopeless. I wonder if in the midst of the everyday battle to survive, her heart longed for something bigger. To see something wonderful and inexplicable. To break out of the grueling grind of the everyday and be amazed by a breathtaking, awe-inspiring God. I wonder if she put those two coins in the basket to see what God would do with them. And by extension, to see God.
And here’s my hope: we know Who was in the audience that day. As she made her gift and turned around to return to her seat, I hope she came face to face with the One who is Wonder, who is Awe, who is the very God she sought. And I hope she knew full well Who she was seeing.
Question for Contemplation
Why do I give? What am I looking for?
Prayer
O Father, you have shown us time and again that you use our gifts in mighty ways, allowing us to be part of Your kingdom work in ways we could never imagine. Please give us open hearts and hands and pockets, to give with joyful expectation of what You’ll do.
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
Reflection
What would make this woman give everything she had? A tenth of a coin, sure. Maybe one of her two coins. But both coins, knowing that her pockets would be empty? That seems excessive. Maybe irresponsible. Maybe a little crazy.
The Bible doesn’t tell us why, but here’s one idea. The life of a poor widow was grueling and hopeless. I wonder if in the midst of the everyday battle to survive, her heart longed for something bigger. To see something wonderful and inexplicable. To break out of the grueling grind of the everyday and be amazed by a breathtaking, awe-inspiring God. I wonder if she put those two coins in the basket to see what God would do with them. And by extension, to see God.
And here’s my hope: we know Who was in the audience that day. As she made her gift and turned around to return to her seat, I hope she came face to face with the One who is Wonder, who is Awe, who is the very God she sought. And I hope she knew full well Who she was seeing.
Question for Contemplation
Why do I give? What am I looking for?
Prayer
O Father, you have shown us time and again that you use our gifts in mighty ways, allowing us to be part of Your kingdom work in ways we could never imagine. Please give us open hearts and hands and pockets, to give with joyful expectation of what You’ll do.
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
April
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2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5
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