Make Monday Matter | Weekly Christian Devotional and Bible Study

Joni | Make Monday Matter
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Start your week with a little perspective and faith. Hosted by Joni, this weekly Christian devotional is for those who want real encouragement for daily life—no "canned" religion or fluff. Whether you’re a runner, a parent, or just looking for a down-to-earth Bible study, these short episodes offer reflections on scripture with practical applications for your faith. Join us for series like our Lent Reading Plan as we look at the life of Jesus in the middle of our messy lives. Let’s Make Monday Matter. 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ New episodes every Monday.

  1. 3d ago

    EP 35 // The Book Where Reading Plans Go to Die: Finding God in Leviticus

    Leviticus has a reputation for being the exact spot where annual Bible reading plans go to die. It’s full of mind-fogging rules, overwhelming instructions, and endless lists. But as I turned the page to start handwriting this notorious book, a daily battle with my daughters over the sound of buzzing bees completely flipped my perspective. In this episode, we talk about why I started handwriting the Bible back in April, how a stressful mistake at work gave me unexpected peace, and why God's intense attention to detail proves He isn't hands-off. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by life's mundane details or stuck in a dry season of faith, this reflection is for you. In this episode: The backstory: Why I started handwriting the Bible in April. Brain fog and how we find exactly what we are looking for (the bee principle). Why God is like a meticulous doctor who refuses to skip the small details. The difference between a simple work mistake and the weight of separation. Finding immense gratitude for living on the other side of the cross. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. #faith #devotional #handwritingthebible #leviticus #biblereading #spiritualgrowth #christianliving #motherhood #attentiontodetail #makemondaymatter

    6 min

  2. May 27

    EP 34 // Costco Ferns and Broken Schedules: Trusting God When Plans Change

    What do you do when your perfectly planned schedule completely falls apart? The other week, a sudden phone call and an unexpected detour disrupted my entire morning. But what started as a stressful shift in plans turned into an early date for braces coming off, a forgotten rebate check put to great use, and a reminder of how God handles the details we can't see. In this episode, I’m sharing the real life story of a 45-minute drive to Costco, a last-minute trip to a main orthodontist office, and how a missed opportunity for a deck fern found its way back to me. We’re looking at Proverbs 16:9 and learning how to take a breath and trust God’s timing when our own perfect days get completely shaken up. In this episode: The monthly 45-minute Costco haul and the dread of the second checkout line. Navigating an unexpected dental scare and a last-minute school pickup. How a forgotten rebate check turned into a free fern and a gerbera daisy. A reflection on Proverbs 16:9 and why God's steps are always better than our plans. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. ...#faith #devotional #proverbs169 #christianliving #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #costcohaul #plantmom #trustgod #makemondaymatter

    4 min

  3. May 22

    EP 33 // The Backseat Prayer: What a Lost Charm Taught Me About Faith

    A 7.5-hour road trip from Minnesota to Iowa for a graduation party led to a lot of family time, an intense game of tag, and a sudden wave of panic when a brand-new necklace charm went missing. While the adults gave up the search, a child's simple backseat prayer changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing the reality of surviving a long drive with car sickness, navigating a busy weekend as an introvert, and the reminder I needed from Matthew 18:3. We're looking at what it means to stop trying to fix things in our own strength and how to carry our worries to a God who cares about the small details. In this episode: Road trip survival: Unlimited screen time, audiobooks, and car sickness. Surviving a high-energy weekend when your whole family is introverted. The panic of the lost charm and the adult assumption that it was gone for good. What a 9-year-old singing "Jesus Loves Me" teaches us about persistent prayer. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. . . . #faith #devotional #matthew183 #christianliving #prayer #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #roadtrip #introvertlife #makemondaymatter

    5 min

  4. May 14

    EP 32// Super Salads, Duluf, and the Power of a Pen

    From college "quote walls" and rotating scrapbooks to handwriting the book of Exodus, I'm realizing that we write things down because, quite frankly, we're forgetful. Whether it's an inside joke with roommates or a 2,400-entry gratitude journal, putting pen to paper changes how we remember our stories—and God's story. In this episode, I’m talking about why God tells us to "remember" so often. We’re exploring how slowing down to write helps us hold onto the truth when life gets distracting. In this episode: Evolution of a friendship: Quote walls, rotating scrapbooks, and group texts.My update on handwriting the Bible: Moving from Genesis into Exodus.Why God is a fan of stone tablets and memorials.The connection between my gratitude journal and remembering God's wonders.If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.#faith #devotional #handwritingthebible #psalm105 #spiritualgrowth #gratitude #motherhood #duluth #makemondaymatter

    4 min

  5. May 8

    EP 31 // When It No Longer Fits: Growth Spurts and Letting Go

    Digging out the summer clothes totes this week led to a realization: we spent a lot of time trying to squeeze into things that just don't fit anymore. Sometimes the discomfort we feel in our schedules or relationships isn't just a "growth spurt"—it's a sign that we are clinging to habits or identities that no longer fit who God is calling us to be. In this episode, I’m talking about my own struggle with a nine-month running injury, what Jonah teaches us about the chaos of forcing our own plans, and why Isaiah 43:19 is the reminder we need when we're afraid to let go. In this episode: Dealing with growth spurts and clothes that "technically" work but don't fit. Why we stubbornly cling to old seasons and schedules. Letting go of running and seeing what God put in its place. Learning to perceive the "new thing" God is doing. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. #faith #devotional #isaiah4319 #christianliving #growth #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #lettinggo #jonah #makemondaymatter

    4 min

  6. May 1

    EP 30 // The Camouflaged Heart: Lessons from Grandma’s Floor

    A few years ago, we traded vintage linoleum for luxury vinyl plank, and I quickly realized how much I love a floor that camouflages the everyday mess. But eventually, the morning sun hits just right, and suddenly every speck of dust and every little toe print shows up. What looked clean in the shadows gets exposed in the light. In this episode, I’m sharing memories of my grandma’s "shoes off" rule in the house she built across the field from my childhood farm. We’re looking at Psalm 139:23–24 and why it’s so much better to let the "Son" shine on our mess than to keep trying to hide it in the shadows. In this episode: Memories of my grandma’s protective "no trucks on the floor" rule. Why "clean enough" is usually just a matter of lighting. The reality of letting pride and impatience blend into the background. Learning to pray the hard prayer: "Search me, God." If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. ...#faith #devotional #psalm139 #christianliving #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #grandmashouse #makemondaymatter

    4 min

  7. Apr 23

    EP 29 // The Inconvenient Nudge: When Plans Change for the Better

    We’ve all been there—you have a "laundry mountain" to climb and a to-do list a mile long, and then an interruption happens. This week, a pair of missing sunglasses and a 15-year-old’s "career fair day" led to a walk I didn't plan, a conversation I didn't expect, and a reminder I really needed. In this episode, I’m sharing how a small, inconvenient nudge turned into a "God-appointment" involving a classmate’s mom and some talk about Twins Fantasy Camp. We’re looking at Isaiah 55:8 and learning why staying open to interruptions might be more important than finishing our checklists. In this episode: Why we shouldn't ignore those quiet, nagging thoughts. Balancing "the list" with being present. Finding blessings in the mid-morning walk. A quick look at what it’s like to spectate at Twins Fantasy Camp. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. ...#faith #devotional #motherhood #christianliving #isaiah558 #twinsfantasycamp #spiritualgrowth #makemondaymatter

    4 min

  8. Apr 17

    EP 28 // The Bus Driver’s Legacy: Small Acts, Big Impact

    We all have those people who shaped us in ways we didn't realize at the time. This week, Joni pays tribute to a legendary bus driver who taught generations of kids about respect, kindness, and the importance of truly seeing people. From secret water wars (including a barn hose!) to quiet acts of charity for a lonely neighbor, discover why the people God places in our lives for a season leave the longest-lasting impact. Scripture from this Episode: Matthew 25:40 – "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

    4 min
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About

Start your week with a little perspective and faith. Hosted by Joni, this weekly Christian devotional is for those who want real encouragement for daily life—no "canned" religion or fluff. Whether you’re a runner, a parent, or just looking for a down-to-earth Bible study, these short episodes offer reflections on scripture with practical applications for your faith. Join us for series like our Lent Reading Plan as we look at the life of Jesus in the middle of our messy lives. Let’s Make Monday Matter. 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ New episodes every Monday.

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