Rejoice in suffering

​S- 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

O- We are to face fiery trials in this life and how we respond is our choice.  If we act surprised and hurt by these trials we may miss the opportunity to have wonderful joy that comes in sharing in Christ suffering.  If we rejoice instead in the trials we face God's glory will be revealed to us and to all the world.  

A - The application for me is to rejoice in my trials.  I am to rejoice knowing that my suffering makes me a believer in Christ and I am able to share in the ultimate suffering He endured for me.  Christ died for my sins so that I would no longer be bound up in my sin.  I can rejoice and be glad for the suffering in that it makes me like Christ.

P- Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help me to rejoice in my suffering , help me to share in the pain that Christ endured even if in just a small way so I might rejoice in seeing his glory.  I pray all this in Jesus name, amen.

The cornerstone of faith

​S - Acts 4:10-12 NIV

0 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

O- John and Peter were standing before the Sanheedrin because of their testimony regarding the healing of a man at the temple.  They were not intimidated by the leaders who were questioning them but boldly proclaimed it was by the name of Jesus Christ that they healed this man.  They proclaimed the good news of salvation is found in Christ who was crucified as atonement for our sins and raised from the dead and now is seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father.  There is no other name by which we are saved from our sins than Jesus.

A -  The application for me is to walk in this testimony that my salvation comes from Christ who died for my sins on the cross, reconciling me once and for always with God the Father.  This is the cornerstone of my faith upon which I am to build my life.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me to build my faith up on the rock of your salvation that is Christ.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name ,  Amen.

Faith in Jesus

​s- Acts 3:16 NIV

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

O- Peter here heals the lame man at the entrance of the temple.  He is walking in the promises of Jesus told them and even trained them when he sent his disciples 2 by 2 to do the ministry through Israel.  Peter here operated under the authority of Christ to heal this man who many recognized as lame and always at the gate of the temple begging for money.  But Peter said I have no money to give but what I do have I give to you.

A - The application for me is to have faith in Jesus that Peter had.  There are many things to pray for but staying connected to the father through the holy spirit I can pray his will be done in many circumstances I will face.   I must by faith in Jesus pray all things to his glory and not mine.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray that you would help me to have the faith of Peter, and pray in your name for the things that are in my life.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

The resurrected Christ

​S-Luke 24:45-49 NIV

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will sufferand rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

O- The resurrected Jesus speaks he to two of his disciples who didn't quite understand that his ressurrection was part of the prophesy of the Messiah.  It is through His death and resurrection that forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God is achieved. This is the good news that will spread to all nations beginning in Jersusalem.   The ascensiion of Jesus into heaven and his sending of the Holy Spirit is the last of His promises and neccesary for the disciples to know how and where to do the ministry of Christ on earth.

A - The application for me is to believe in the resurrection of Christ and the payment for my sins through his death.  His ressurrection means I have an advocate in heaven that knows me and know my heart.  I am to be repentant for my past sins and look to be guided by the holy spirit in my future action.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help remind me of the power of your resurrection and help me to be guided by your holy spirit.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Gods grace

​S-Luke 23:20-22 NIV

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

O- Three times Pilate appealed to the people that he found no guilt in Jesus.  He even sent him to Herod to see if Herod found any guilt in him,  and he did not.   Pilate wanting to release Jesus appealed to the people but they insisted on crucifying him despite there being no real evidence of him deserving death.   What grace and mercy and total sacrifice Jesus was willing to show in that he was being accussed and sentenced to death on a cross despite there being no evidence of his wrong doing.  He was the perfect innocent sacrificial lamb who would die for the sins of his people.  It is because of his willingness to do so that God's grace would triump over our sins.

A =  The application for me is to truly and freely accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for my salvation.   He did so despite his innocence,  which is what makes his sacrifice sufficient, he was the innocent unblemished lamb of God sent to take away the sins of the world. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson , may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray that you would forgive me my sins and allow your grace to cover my shortcomings.  I pray allt his in Jesus name, Amen.

Be humble

​S-Luke 20:46-47 NIV

46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

O- Jesus tells this to the crowd that was following him.  He knew the Pharisees and teachers of the law were amongst the crowd and would hear this as well.  He came to speak to the people who were hungry for his words and not those who looked to find fault in his teachings that were from heaven above.  He came to preach a new Gospel which was different from the one these teachers had been teaching,  it is the Gospel of grace and mercy from God in heaven.

A - The application for me is to make sure I am not following teachers who exhault themselves but rather humble themselves as they spread the message of the good news of Christ.  We are all called to spread the good news so this warning also applies to me that I not think more of myself and seek places of honor and glory.

P - Dear heavenly father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray that you would help me to be humble and full of grace in my daily life.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Humble myself

​S-Luke 18:14 NIV

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

O- This was the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee who both went to the temple to pray.  The pharisee prayed that he was thankful that he is not like robbers and thieves and even tax collectors.  The tax collector on the other hand simply prayed "Lord have mercy on me, sinner".  The difference is one exalts himself above others (the Pharisee) and the other humbly admits he is a sinner in need of salvation. 

A - The application for me is to remember to always approach God humbly.  I know because of my sins I am in need of salvation that comes through Christ alone. I am to beware of my not so humble self that thinks my good works have gained me priveledge of some sort in the eyes of the Lord.  Jesus loves me because he created me and wants to see me in relationship with God the father; he doesn't love me for my good works or anything I have done.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray you help me maintain the right perspective with regards to my worthiness and ultimate salvation.  Help keep me humble.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.