Make Monday Matter | Weekly Christian Devotional and Bible Study

Joni | Make Monday Matter
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  • 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 39 // When the Plan Changes: Finding Contentment in the Shifting Seasons

    Between an annual physical warning about dehydration, camper days cut short by unhelpful rain, and a Wednesday afternoon where every single appointment was either delayed or cancelled, this past week was a masterclass in plans completely falling apart. In this episode, I'm opening up about the reality of trying to balance summer schedules, sports drop-offs, and getting back into a running routine when the weather and circumstances refuse to cooperate. We are looking at Psalm 118:24 through a fresh lens, reminding ourselves that every day is the day the Lord has made—even the ones that require us to constantly pivot. If you're a planner who gets frustrated when life shifts, this episode is the perspective shift you need for the week ahead. In this episode: Doctor visits, hydration checks, and the refusal to give up coffee. Campground chronicles: Rain games, brief sunshine, and the effort of packing up early. The domino effect: Unfulfilled orthodontist appointments, cancelled driving lessons, and surprise double-headers. A deep dive into Psalm 118:24 and learning to rejoice in the detours. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. . . . #faith #devotional #psalm11824 #bibleverse #christianliving #motherhood #planners #midwestsummer #camperlife #runningrecovery #braces #makemondaymatter

    5 min

  2. Jun 28

    EP 38 // When It Rains, It Pours: Finding Strength in Lifelong Friendships

    A sudden summer downpour, a cancelled softball game, and a frantic drive for behind-the-wheel training almost made me cancel a long-awaited lunch date. But pushing through the rain reminded me of a much larger story that began twenty-five years ago. In this episode, I’m looking back at the heavy, chaotic autumn of 2001—when a global crisis changed my wedding plans and a simple invitation for egg salad sandwiches introduced me to a lifelong friend. We dive into the story of David and Jonathan from 1 Samuel, exploring what it means to "strengthen a friend's hand in God," and why we shouldn't let the busy rainstorms of life keep us from the relationships that matter most. In this episode: White-knuckle driving and navigating a chaotic summer schedule. Memories of 2001: How a disrupted missions trip led to a providential meeting. The theology of friendship: Lessons from David and Jonathan in the wilderness. A reflection on Proverbs 17:17 and making time for community when life gets busy. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. #faith #devotional #proverbs1717 #davidandjonathan #christianfriendship #lifelongfriends #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #bibledevotional #makemondaymatter

    5 min

  3. Jun 21

    EP 37 // Does God Have Favorites? What the Bible Says God Delights In

    From favorite colors and numbers to a surprising encounter with a fennec fox at the zoo, favorites have been a major topic of conversation at our house lately. But the theme followed me all the way to Duluth this weekend, where a live podcast with pro runners Des Linden and Kara Goucher and a shoe coincidence had me asking a deeper question: Does God have favorites? While the world runs on popularity, performance, and status, Scripture tells us a completely different story about God's heart. In this episode, I’m sharing childhood memories of climbing my grandma’s lilac bushes, a funny incident involving hungry parakeets at the zoo, and a look at Romans 2:11. We are diving into five specific things the Bible says God actually delights in, and how understanding them helps us know His character so much better. In this episode: The 48th birthday milestone and why the number 8 matters. Zoo stories: Hungry parakeets, alligator ponds, and finding a fennec fox. Serving on the race support crew in Duluth and a live podcast connection with Des Linden and Kara Goucher. The truth about Romans 2:11 and why God doesn't play favorites. Five things God explicitly delights in and what they reveal about His heart. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. ...#faith #devotional #romans211 #bibleverse #christianliving #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #godscharacter #deslinden #karagoucher #brooksglycerin #grandmashalfmarathon #makemondaymatter

    6 min

  4. Jun 11

    EP 36 // One Small Step: The Power of an Untold Story

    What if the ordinary stories you tell have a much bigger destination than you think? This past week at the camper, a random encounter in a grocery store checkout line left my nine-year-old retelling a 50-year-old moon landing story to anyone who would listen. It got me thinking about the lasting impact of the words we choose to share. In this episode, we are looking at the book of Acts to see why the Apostle Paul repeated his testimony three different times. I'm also sharing my personal come-to-Jesus moment—and how God used a coworker's grocery store invitation to change my life, even when she didn't show up to the retreat herself! If you've ever felt like your story isn't interesting or important enough to share, this episode is a reminder that our job is simply to share what God has done and trust Him with the rest. In this episode: A campground grocery run and a surprise connection to the 1969 moon landing. Why the Apostle Paul never got tired of repeating his testimony in the book of Acts. Full-circle moments: How working at a grocery store led to a life-changing retreat invitation. A reflection on Psalm 66:16 and overcoming the fear that your ordinary moments don't matter. If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more. . . . #faith #devotional #testimony #bookofacts #psalm66 #christianliving #sharingyourfaith #motherhood #roadtodamascus #camperlife #makemondaymatter

    5 min

  5. Jun 4

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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