"The Spirit sent him into the wilderness..."

Ever feel like you're doing everything right and still end up in a "desert" season? Today we’re looking at Mark 1:9-15. We talk about why the wilderness isn't always a sign that you're off track—sometimes, it’s the place where you see God show up most.

Today’s Passage: Mark 1:9-15

Join the Journey:

• Full Lent Reading Plan: here

• More Reflections: makemondaymatter.com

"Is this not the fast that I choose?"

Lent is often associated with giving things up, but Isaiah 58 challenges us to do more than just skip a meal. Today we’re looking at what "true fasting" looks like and why God cares more about how we treat people than how religious we act.

Today’s Passage: Isaiah 58:6-12

Join the Journey:

• ​ Full Lent Reading Plan: here
• ​ More Reflections: makemondaymatter.com

Is God giving a little "attitude" in Isaiah 1:16-18? In today's Lent Bible study, we look at the invitation to stop hiding our messes and "settle the matter" with God. Discover why your "permanent" stains aren't too much for Him to handle.

• Scripture: Isaiah 1:16-18

• Key Theme: Moving from scarlet stains to white as snow.

• Plan: Find the Full Lent Reading Plan here

• Blog: Catch up on past reflections at makemondaymatter.com

Description: In Day 2 of our Lent daily devotional, we look at Psalm 51:1-12 and King David’s honest prayer for mercy. If you’ve ever felt like you needed more than a "clean up," this reflection on asking God for a total heart renovation is for you.

• Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

• Key Theme: Asking the Creator to build something new in us.

• Plan: Full Lent Reading Plan here

• Blog: Catch up on past reflections at

makemondaymatter.com

Join us for Day 1 of our Lent Reading Plan and weekly devotional. Today we dive into Joel 2:12-14 to talk about what it actually means to "rend your heart." We explore the idea of mourning our sin and why God is looking for an honest heart rather than a religious performance.

• Scripture: Joel 2:12-14

• Key Theme: Mourning our sin and returning to God.

• Plan: Find the Full Lent Reading Plan ⁠here⁠

• Blog: Catch up on past reflections at ⁠makemondaymatter.com⁠

A preview of this year’s Lent Bible reading plan and the rescue story it follows — from repentance to the empty tomb.

The full plan is linked here, along with more short devotionals at makemondaymatter.com.

What happens when you start the week already exhausted? In this episode of Make Monday Matter, Joni shares a tired-morning moment—complete with hitting the wrong coffee button—and reflects on how God meets us in ordinary, exhausting days. A reminder that God’s mercies are new every morning, even when we’re running on empty.

Find this episode in written format here and more Make Monday Matter reflection at makemondaymatter.com

As Lent approaches, Joni reflects on the meaning of forty-day seasons in Scripture—Moses on Mount Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Horeb, and Jesus in the wilderness. These stories aren’t about discipline or willpower, but about dependence on God. This episode invites you to approach Lent not as something to prove, but as a season to rely more fully on Him.

makemondaymatter.com

Sometimes the phrase “third time’s the charm” carries more weight than we expect.

In this short Monday reflection, I share thoughts on trying again — showing up after the first and second attempts didn’t go as planned — and what Scripture reminds us about faith, mercy, and staying the course.

This Monday matters.

makemondaymatter.com