Luke 19:29-31 – As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.'" (NIV)

Years ago, I wrote a devotional for Palm Sunday entitled, "Donkey Business". I did not realize it at the time, but since then, I have had the opportunity to hear several inspired teachings that gave me a deeper appreciation for the donkey's role in God's plan of salvation.

The colt depicted in today's Scripture is highly significant, albeit one of the most overlooked characters in the gospel narrative. Consequently, I prepared a Bible study for my church group encouraging them to consider this old, familiar story from a different perspective — from the donkey's point of view.

What lessons can be drawn from an untamed, never-before-ridden young colt? How was this donkey fit for such an important task and ready for royal duty to serve the King of kings?

Here are just a few points to contemplate and discuss with family or friends on this Palm Sunday:

• The donkey was chosen by God and his role announced many years in advance. By comparison, we, too, have been elected for a specific purpose in God's plan. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
• The donkey was tied outside in the street. Although seemingly neglected, in reality, this particular animal was set aside for such a time as this. Yet, first, he had to be untied. So, too, we also have been set free from the bondage of sin to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 NIV)
• The donkey was used for God's glory. The colt's purpose was to make Jesus more visible to the crowds along the roadside. Likewise, we are called to exalt the Lord above ourselves so that He may receive the glory for all that He has done. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

What other observations can you make by reading the accounts of Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-38, and John 12:12-16? How does the Scripture speak to you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, with hearts full of praise, we thank You for the first Palm Sunday celebration and for the lowly, untrained colt that was assigned to accomplish Your mission. In the same way, where You have need, enable us to do Your will while lifting Your name on high, so that others may be drawn to Yourself. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

Reflecting on my trip to Israel last November, I recall that one of my favourite sites was the ancient village of Magdala in Galilee. A most recent and fascinating archaeological discovery was a first-century synagogue with part of its beautiful fresco wall and mosaic floor still visible today. In the centre of the synagogue is a rare artifact known as the Magdala stone. This square object is beautifully carved with temple images on all sides. Some believe that it was used as a table to hold the Torah scroll where Jesus may have read Scripture and preached the Word of God.

Standing beside these ruins, I was struck by the reality that many people who worshipped there had a personal encounter with the Messiah. Perhaps this was the place, in the hometown of Mary Magdala, where she met her Saviour for the first time. It is also conceivable that the event described in today's Scripture occurred in the same locale.

Afterward, we visited the Duc In Altum worship centre not far from the excavation site. The Latin phrase means "launch into the deep" (Luke 5:4). Inside the atrium are seven pillars honouring women of the Bible as well as an eighth column for all women of faith. In addition, a separate room houses a model boat commemorating Jesus' disciples. But especially meaningful to me was the Encounter Chapel on the lower level of the building. Its floor is part of the original marketplace. Yet the most striking feature was a large mural painted above the altar called Encounter, depicting the woman who touched the Lord's cloak; only her hand is shown, with a small light signifying that a miracle had taken place.

This experience was reminiscent of a devotional that I had written in January 2011 entitled The Hem of His Garment. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my husband would be diagnosed with cancer by the end of the same year. Subsequently, the faith and courage of this anonymous woman have been an inspiration and a great source of hope.

Truly, Magdala is a place of encounter. The town generates a message of faith, hope, and healing. It has been said, "The chapel and the painting are celebrating Jesus' encounter of all of us; how we touch Jesus and how He touches or moves us."

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your Word that is living and active in the world today, and for all those who encountered Your life and ministry firsthand. Miraculously, their testimonies live on throughout the ages as they continue to inspire, strengthen, and encourage our faith. May we likewise be witnesses to future generations of Your amazing power and the wonders of Your grace. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 18:36 – You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped. (NASB)

In November of last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, along with my daughter and several others from my church. It was an amazing experience to walk the same ancient paths that Jesus walked and to see a number of interesting archaeological parks and museums throughout our ten-day pilgrimage. At the end of our journey, we had the chance to express our thoughts and to share what we found most meaningful.

Personally, it was overwhelming to see places associated with Jesus' suffering, such as the Garden of Gethsemane and the Via Dolorosa. Still, every site had a specific impact on my understanding of the Scriptures, in particular, the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. There we sat on the original stairs, across from the Mount of Olives, listening to our pastor preach a mini-sermon.

Yet, it wasn't until I returned home and did some research that I began to appreciate the significance of the Southern Steps. They are also called the "Teaching Steps" because rabbis, including Jesus, may have used this area as a platform for preaching to the crowds.

Additionally, these steps were intentionally rough and uneven, with an alternating layout of narrow and wide steps. So, what was the purpose for an irregular stairway? Some believe that Jewish pilgrims sang the fifteen Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) on the fifteen wide steps on their way up to the house of God. Others have suggested that this design forced the multitudes to pay attention to where they were going, thus preventing a hurried approach to the temple. This idea makes sense, but more importantly, it illustrates a great spiritual lesson for us today. Therefore, what insights can we glean for our own lives? What do the Teaching Steps teach us?

Questions to ponder may include:

• How can we apply this teaching to our personal relationship with the Lord?
• In what ways should we watch our step in approaching God's throne of grace?
• How does prayer, Bible study, and Sunday worship lead us a step closer to Christ?

Prayer: Lord, according to Your Word, guide our steps and lead us in the way that we should go. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

Habakkuk 2:20 – But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. (NIV)

Sadly, on May 16th of this year, I lost one of my closest and dearest friends, Parise Arakelian. Often, when I tell others how we met through this PresbyCan ministry, they are surprised to hear that we never actually met in person, but rather via Skype. Nevertheless, despite the two thousand plus miles between us, we experienced a unique bond of friendship. We helped each other through many difficult, life-changing situations — like the time when Parise had to give up her car, or when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. We also celebrated the good times — most recently, the co-authorship of our book, The Martyr's Son, based on the extraordinary life of Parise's father, Armen John Arakelian.

I was blessed to have known Parise and to have learned so much from her years of experience. But she also learned a few things from me. We often laughed at how my interest in turtles and other wildlife had rubbed off on her, too. She became fascinated about how God designed these creatures to go underground during the winter, and then pop up again in early spring. She mentioned how this phenomenon reminded her of the resurrection.

But above all, our faith in Christ is what made our relationship truly special. In recent months, today's Scriptures had become particularly meaningful to Parise. She understood that no matter what happens in life, the Lord is in control, and that He is always worthy of our praise. Even during her illness, she reminded me, "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent."

I will forever treasure these and many other memories of the special way in which Parise touched my life. Her devotionals (saved in the PresbyCan archives), are a testimony to her faith. I hope that you will take the time to read some of them and be encouraged by her writing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, as Your Word declares, You are not the God of the dead but of the living. We thank You for the precious life of Parise, who is now made whole, alive in the fullness of Your presence. We are grateful for the treasured memories of those we hold dear, and for the hope that is ours in Christ. We look forward to the day when all our tears shall be wiped away, and together, in the company of Your holy angels, we will rejoice, singing Your praises forevermore. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Early this year, a friend asked me to share a devotional for the ladies' conference at her church. She asked me to speak on the theme, "Sisters in Christ" and what it means to be a family of believers, encouraging one another, especially in difficult times.

As I started to write my thoughts, I considered how it all began — with the women who stood by the cross and who later discovered the empty tomb. I can only imagine the experience that they shared — not only their grief, but the unspeakable joy of seeing the risen Lord — and it must have strengthened their relationships and changed their lives forever.

I love the question that the angels posed in today's verse. It challenged the women to focus on the empty tomb. Just prior to this miraculous event, they had worried about the size of the stone and how they were going to roll it away; however, they worried for naught. Still, even when they saw that the grave was open, they approached fully expecting to render their ministry of anointing the dead body of Jesus.

Contemplating the angels' profound question is significant for individuals as well as for the church in today's times.

The Lord is life. He cannot be found among dead idols, false religions, or the material things of this world; rather, He is found only in the living things of the Spirit.

Matthew 22:31-32 – But about the resurrection of the dead — have you not read what God said to you, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. (NIV)

Romans 8:11 – And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (NIV)

Therefore, why look for the living among the dead? Or why quench His life-giving Spirit? May the risen Lord be alive in each of us! As brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be united in fellowship through the power of His love.

Prayer: Lord, we acknowledge that You alone are the living God. Enable us to experience anew the resurrection power of our risen Saviour while we lift our hearts in praise to You. May we, Your church, be united as brothers and sisters in Christ, striving together for the faith, and proclaiming to a dying world, "He is not here; He has risen!" to Your honour and glory. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us. (NIV)

Once in a while, I enjoy doing a word puzzle to enhance my vocabulary and concentration skills. The goal of one particular game was to find as many words as possible within the phrase, REMEMBER YOUR VALENTINE.

It is believed that these words were spoken by a condemned priest named Valentine during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Allegedly, in times of war, Claudius made it illegal to marry. He supposed that this law would benefit his empire by encouraging the men to be better soldiers. Nevertheless, Valentine continued to perform weddings in secret, until he was arrested and sent to jail. While in prison, he sent letters to friends asking them to pray for him by writing, "Remember your Valentine." Subsequently, he was executed on February 14th, around the year 269 AD.

Whether or not this story is true, I was struck by how the Valentine's Day tradition arose out of sacrifice and martyrdom. This in turn is related to the high cost of Christ's love for us, and we, His church, are called to be His beloved bride.

Interestingly, the Bible's first mention of the word "love" appears in Genesis 22:2, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice "your only son, Isaac, whom you love". The Lord, however, provided a ram instead — a beautiful picture of what God would do many years later in giving us His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)

This verse depicts God's unconditional love in action — yet it doesn't stop there. Through Christ, we are also redeemed and adopted into the family of God.

1 John 3:1 – How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (NIV)

Therefore, while we give Valentine cards and gifts to our loved ones, above all let us not forget our most precious Valentine: the One who laid down His life for us.

Consider this: What then can we do to show that our love is reciprocal? In what ways can we follow His example, walking together in love as brothers and sisters in Christ?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we recognize and appreciate the true nature of Your love as You have revealed it through the precious gift of Your Son. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 107:27-31 – They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. (NIV)

Until recently, I was unaware that the expression, "at wits' end" originated in the Bible. It literally means to "have wisdom swallowed up." This type of "wisdom" is worldly and lacking direction from the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 107, the sailors "reeled and staggered" in vain. They were like drunken men trying desperately to fix the problem on their own.

But notice four things that happened when the sailors finally cried out to the Lord:

1. He brought them out of their distress.
2. He calmed the storm.
3. He restored their gladness.
4. He brought them to a safe harbour.

Although the Scripture portrays a true-to-life storm at sea, this place called "at wits' end" represents many types of situations such as illness, financial problems, the loss of a loved one, etc. In raising my son, there were times when I chose to dismiss the world's advice, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance instead. I can honestly say that He has never failed in helping me to make the best decisions for my child.

In Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord tells us, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (NIV) What a wonderful promise for those who believe!

The New Testament reveals that Jesus is the power and wisdom of God. He will deliver us from the deep waters that threaten our soul, or from the miry depths of a hopeless spirit. What is more, He will provide peace, even in the midst of a storm.

In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, the apostle Paul writes about his thorn in the flesh, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV)

Be assured that the Lord's wisdom can never be swallowed up. So then, why wait till we're at our wits' end before seeking His counsel?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise You for the wisdom revealed in Your Son, like a light shining in a dark place. We humbly ask You to guide us safely through the storms of life by the power of Your Holy Spirit. May our faith be a testimony that leads others into Messiah's kingdom. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.